cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Permeability of latex and polyvinyl chloride gloves to 20 antineoplastic drugs

Permeability of latex and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves to 20 injectable antineoplastic drugs was studied. Four types of gloves were evaluated: latex surgical gloves, latex examination gloves, and PVC gloves in two thicknesses. Each glove material was exposed to each drug for 90 minutes, and permeation was tested using a mutagenicity assay. Individual fingertips of thin PVC gloves and latex surgical gloves were tested for permeability at five time points (2-30 minutes) using a doxorubicin coloration assay. All drugs permeated the thin PVC gloves. Latex surgical gloves were definitely permeable to two drugs (carmustine and thiotepa) and exhibited borderline permeability to mechlorethamine hydrochloride. The thick PVC gloves were definitely permeable to four drugs (carmustine, thiotepa, mechlorethamine hydrochloride, and daunorubicin hydrochloride) and exhibited borderline permeability to two drugs (doxorubicin and mercaptopurine). The latex examination gloves were permeable to carmustine, thiotepa, mechlorethamine hydrochloride, and cyclophosphamide. Doxorubicin permeation of individual fingertips of thin PVC gloves varied in time and amount. Doxorubicin did not permeate the latex surgical glove material, but testing with thiotepa showed that individual fingertips of this material also varied in permeability. Glove thickness was a major determinant of permeability; latex surgical gloves were the least permeable and thin PVC gloves the most permeable to the antineoplastic drugs tested. Within individual gloves and glove types, time and amount of permeation were not uniform.
A 60 GHz branch line coupler fabricated using integrated rectangular coaxial lines

A 60 GHz branch line coupler is fabricated using rectangular coaxial transmission lines. The coupler was built using a new microfabrication process. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first V-Band demonstration of devices fabricated in this manner. The coupler has a measured insertion loss of 3.4-4.1 dB over the 57-63 GHz frequency range. The device was fabricated successfully in a single design pass. A comparison between the design simulations and the measured results are presented.
Mechanical Properties of and Water Vapor Transferability Through Whey Protein Films

Abstract Transglutaminase was used to produce films by polymerization of whey proteins. The reaction mixture consisted of 5% whey protein in pH 7.5 buffered solution under reducing conditions in the presence of Ca 2+ ions and glycerol. The water vapor transferability and the percentage of moisture of films were not significantly influenced by the whey protein fraction. Water vapor transferability was inversely related to film thickness. Glycerol concentration of films directly affected film resistance to breakage, moisture content, and resistance to water vapor transferability.
Air Temperature Measurement Errors in Naturally Ventilated Radiation Shields

Abstract Two sources of systematic errors are considered for estimating air temperature. The first source is ambiguity of the definition of the standardized measurement height over vegetated surfaces of varying heights. Without such a standardization, evaluation of the horizontal air temperature gradient is contaminated by the vertical variation of air temperature. This error is generally small in daytime unstable conditions, but increases with increasing stability at night. In an attempt to reduce such error, the use of the zero-plane displacement height for standardizing the measurement height is proposed. The second source of systematic errors is radiative forcing on the sensor–shield systems. A series of experiments is performed over a grass field to investigate the radiatively induced error in the air temperature estimate by the Onset HOBO Pro thermistor in a naturally ventilated multiplate shield. The magnitude of this error is estimated by comparing air temperature measurements by a platinum resist...
Comparing Reuse Strategies: An Empirical Evaluation of Developer Views

Software reuse has been the subject of empirical studies for decades. There have been studies of reuse methods, success factors, approaches and tools. An open question is still whether and how reuse differs between embedded and nonem-bedded systems, an important issue for the aerospace industry. This article describes the results from a survey taken at a major aerospace corporation, in order to characterize developers' views on software reuse. 78 developers participated in the survey. The questions focused on modern reuse strategies (whether they were used alone or in combination) and their effectiveness.
Software updates as a security metric: Passive identification of update trends and effect on machine infection

Botnets have become a vital part of underground economy and botherders are actively looking for new recruits to join their bot army. A lapse by an end user or an administrator in terms of not updating their software enables the botherder to achieve this objective. In this paper we will investigate the phenomenon of a machine infection from the perspective of a user update behavior. We also present type of attacks that are launched by hackers to compromise machine and the vulnerabilities that lead to such attacks as a result of update behavior. We will also characterize the user update behavior on the test network of study. Finally we will compare the update behavior of machines that were infected with the ones that were not infected. The objective of this investigation is to see if update behavior could be used as an effective security metric, our trends show that there is a very clear correlation between the machines that were infected and the machines that were not updated.
The Implementation of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act in a Large Industrial State: Pennsylvania.

Abstract The implementation of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act is likely to differ across state and localities depending upon history, previous support for vocational education, organizational patterns, size, and resources available. These variables and others are discussed in relation to the implementation of the Perkins Act in a large industrial state and in three distinct geographical entities within the state.
Preparation and characterization of a stable half met derivative of type 2 depleted Rhus laccase: Exogenous ligand binding to the type 3 site

Abstract We report the preparation and characterization of a stable half met (Cu(II)Cu(I)) type 2 copper depleted derivative of Rhus laccase. Anion binding studies to this mixed valent type 3 protein form indicate no tight binding of anions nor group 1 - group 2 ligand behavior. This suggests that, in contrast to the well-characterized hemocyanins and tyrosinase coupled binuclear sites, exogenous ligands do not appear to bridge the type 3 binuclear copper ions in laccase.
1515 RESPIRATORY TIMING IN NEWBORNS WITH RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME (RDS)

The Hering-Breur inspiratory inhibitory reflex decreases in activity with increasing gestational age (GA) (JAP 36:426). An intercostal-phrenic inhibitory reflex may be present in the premature with RDS who demonstrates paradoxical rib cage motion (JAP 40:352). Either reflex would decrease inspiratory time (Ti) in premature infants of younger (GA). We tested the hypothesis that Ti is directly proportional to GA in infants with RDS resulting in a greater respiratory rate (f) in the less mature newborn. Ti and f were calculated from nasal or oral flow signals in 6 spontaneously breathing infants with RDS at 6-14 hrs of age. Infants were studied supine during REM sleep using behavioral criteria. Mean Ti and f for a 5 minute period were determined from the flow tracings. Contrary to our hypothesis, Ti decreased with increasing GA (r=-0.889, p=0.018). If inspiratory inhibitory reflexes are more active in the premature newborn of younger gestation with RDS, their effect was not sufficient to produce a smaller Ti when compared to more mature infants. Either these reflexes are not present in infants with RDS or other factors may have a greater influence on respiratory timing.
Essential fatty acid deficiency normalizes function and histology in rat nephrotoxic nephritis.

Essential fatty acid deficiency normalizes function and histology in rat nephrotoxic nephritis. The central lipid abnormality in essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) is the lack of availability of arachidonic acid. To examine the role of total eicosanoid's biosyntheses in the pathology and pathophysiology of glomerulonephritis, EFAD was induced in weanling rats, which were then subjected to antiglomerular basement membrane antibody (NTS)-induced injury in adulthood. Glomerular dynamics (as assessed by micropuncture), quantitative histology, and eicosanoid generation rates were measured at two hours and two weeks post-NTS, and compared to those of standard diet-fed (STD) controls. Two hours post-NTS, and despite the occurrence of proteinuria in both EFAD and STD animals, glomerular dynamics were essentially normal in EFAD rats, whereas STD animals had reduced values for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow rate (RPF). At two weeks, severe histologic changes were observed in STD animals including mesangial and stalk hypercellularity, moderate sclerosis, and interstitial nephritis, coupled with heavy proteinuria and reduced GFR and RPF. In dramatic contrast, EFAD rats displayed totally normal glomerular structures and functions. In parallel, glomerular generation rates of prostaglandin E 2 and thromboxane A 2 were suppressed markedly in EFAD rats. Thus, EFAD confers complete protection against the histopathologic and functional sequelae of immune-initiated injury in the glomerulus. The data suggest that the initial wave of complement-induced neutrophil infiltration (with resultant proteinuria) is not sufficient to perpetuate injury into the more destructive chronic phases. The results provide strong impetus for the design of more specific interventional therapies targeting the various enzymes and products of arachidonic acid metabolism in the attempts to control glomerular inflammation.
Measures of gene flow in the Columbian ground squirrel.

From analyses of published data and a review of the literature, I studied indirect and direct measures of gene flow among populations of Columbian ground squirrels, Spermophilus columbianus. New analyses were used to examine an allozyme data set (seven polymorphic loci) that had been collected by Zammuto and Millar (1985a) from six populations of ground squirrels that were spread over 183 km. G-tests indicated significant variation in allele frequencies among populations, but F-statistics revealed relatively little population differentiation (average F ST=0.026). F ST values were used to estimate rates of gene flow indirectly and indicated fairly high rates of gene flow (average N e m=13.5). Recorded dispersal distances of individual ground squirrels were fairly short (most<4 km, maximum recorded distance was 8.5 km), and the minimum distance between populations used to create the allozyme data set was about 25 km. Thus, direct dispersal among the populations in the allozyme data set was highly unlikely. Small genetically effective populations may have experienced high rates of migration over short distances (about 43% of adults in local populations were immigrants), however, resulting in homogeneous allele frequencies over the geographic range. This explanation provides an alternative to invoking gene flow in the recent past to explain discrepancies between dispersal distances in the field and homogenization of allele frequencies over large ranges, Mammalian species that have virtually complete dispersal of subadult males from the natal area might be expected to exhibit relatively high rates of gene flow, regardless of actual dispersal distances. Genetically effective populations may be much smaller than more extensive ecological populations and experience higher rates of gene flow.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of serious coronary heart disease: an observational cohort study.

Summary Background Non-aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NANSAIDs) have complex effects that could either prevent or promote coronary heart disease. Comparison of the NANSAID rofexocib with naproxen showed a substantial difference in acute myocardial infarction risk, which has been interpreted as a protective effect of naproxen. We did an observational study to measure the effects of NANSAIDs, including naproxen, on risk of serious coronary heart disease. Methods We used data from the Tennessee Medicaid programme obtained between Jan 1, 1987, and Dec 31, 1998, to identify a cohort of new NANSAID users (n=181 441) and an equal number of non-users, matched for age, sex, and date NANSAID use began. Both groups were 50–84 years of age, were not resident in a nursing home, and did not have life-threatening illness. The study endpoint was hospital admission for acute myocardial infarction or death from coronary heart disease. Findings During 532634 person-years of follow-up, 6362 cases of serious coronary heart disease occurred, or 11·9 per 1000 person-years. Multivariate-adjusted rate ratios for current and former use of NANSAIDs were 1·05 (95% CI 0·97–1·14) and 1·02 (0·97–1·08), respectively. Rate ratios for naproxen, ibuprofen, and other NANSAIDs were 0·95 (0·82–1·09), 1·15 (1·02–1·28), and 1·03 (0·92–1·16), respectively. There was no protection among long-term NANSAID users with uninterrupted use; the rate ratio among current users with more than 60 days of continuous use was 1·05 (0·91–1·21). When naproxen was directly compared with ibuprofen, the current-use rate ratio was 0·83 (0·69–0·98). Interpretation Absence of a protective effect of naproxen or other NANSAIDs on risk of coronary heart disease suggests that these drugs should not be used for cardioprotection.
Magnetic Interactions between Rare-Earth Ions in Insulators. II. Electron-Paramagnetic-Resonance Measurements of Gd 3 + Pair and Gd 3 + - Eu 3 + Interaction Constants in Eu Cl 3

Paramagnetic resonance has been observed from both single ions and isolated pairs of ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$ in Eu${\mathrm{Cl}}_{3}$ at 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and 25.6 GHz. The pair spectra were analyzed in the same way as those observed previously from ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$ in La${\mathrm{Cl}}_{3}$. The results give accurate values for the interaction parameters between both nearest (nn) and next-nearest neighbors (nnn). The dominant terms are of the form of isotropic exchange ($J{\mathrm{S}}_{1}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathrm{S}}_{2}$), with ${J}_{\mathrm{nn}}(\mathrm{pair})=0.0488\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0010$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and ${J}_{\mathrm{nnn}}(\mathrm{pair})=\ensuremath{-}0.0637\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0020$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The anisotropic parts of the interactions could be accounted for completely by the calculated magnetic dipole-dipole coupling. Combining these results with earlier measurements in La${\mathrm{Cl}}_{3}$, good estimates can be made of the exchange interactions in pure Gd${\mathrm{Cl}}_{3}$: ${J}_{\mathrm{nn}}(\mathrm{Gd}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{3})=0.056\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.006$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and ${J}_{\mathrm{nnn}}(\mathrm{Gd}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{3})=\ensuremath{-}0.064\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. These values are in excellent agreement with those inferred from analyses of susceptibility and specific-heat measurements, and they resolve unambiguously earlier uncertainties in the choice of possible parameters. The magnitudes and even the signs of the interactions remain unexplained. From measured $g$-value shifts relative to ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$ in La${\mathrm{Cl}}_{3}$ it was also possible to estimate the isotropic part of the ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$-${\mathrm{Eu}}^{3+}$ exchange interaction: ${J}_{\mathrm{nn}}(\mathrm{Gd}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Eu})=0.052\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.030$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and ${J}_{\mathrm{nnn}}(\mathrm{Gd}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Eu})=\ensuremath{-}0.061\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.030$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The similarity of these results to the corresponding ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$-${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$ interactions suggests that the average electron-electron exchange interaction may be relatively insensitive to the particular configuration of the individual ions, as proposed theoretically by Van Vleck. On the other hand, comparisons between the results for different isostructural lattices shows that some of the interactions can be extremely sensitive to even small changes in the neighbor distances, and great care is therefore required in extrapolating from one lattice to another.
Determination of specific monoclonal antibody secretion rate during very slow hybridoma growth

A total cell recycling suspension perfusion reactor has been constructed for investigation of specific monoclonal antibody secretion rate of the 9.2.27 murine hybridoma under conditions of a very low growth rate. By rapidly recycling hybridoma cells using a thermostated tangential flow filter, 3.6 mg cell dry weight/cm3 could be maintained at growth rate of <0.05 μmax for over 250 h. Under these conditions, secretion of lactate, ammonia and l-alanine were directly related to the rate of l-glutamine supply. Monoclonal antibody accumulated in the reactor to levels in excess of 1400 μg/ cm3. Surprisingly, as specific growth rate decreased, the specific immunoglobulin secretion rate remained constant, implying that monoclonal antibody synthesis could be uncoupled from growth.
Invited Paper Fundamentals Of High Excitation Phenomena In Laser Processing

The interaction of picosecond laser pulses with solid surfaces is characterized by ultra-fast energy transfer from the electronic system to the lattice. The present understanding of the elementary mechanisms responsible for carrier thermalization and cooling is briefly reviewed. In semiconductors, the electron hole plasma acts as intermediate energy storage. Recombination limits the maximum density and determines lattice heating in degenerate conditions. Experiments with femtosecond and picosecond laser sources have unraveled the salient features of the energy dissipation routes from photons to lattice.
Visualizing motional correlations in molecular dynamics using geometric deformations

In macromolecules, an allosteric effect is said to occur when a change at one site of a molecule affects a distant site. Understanding these allosteric effects can be important for understanding how the functions of complex molecules such as proteins are regulated. One potential application of this knowledge is the development of small molecules that alter the function of proteins involved in diseases. Studying motional correlation can help researchers to discover how a change at a source site affects the target site and thus how allosteric ligands that could serve as drugs are able to exert their therapeutic effects. By improving our ability to analyze these correlated relationships, it may be possible to develop new medications to combat deadly diseases such as Hepatitis C. We present four visual techniques which represent motional correlation on rendered three-dimensional molecular models, providing new ways to view clusters of correlated residues and paths of allosteric interactions. These techniques give us a new way of investigating the presence of motional correlations in complex molecules. We compare each of these techniques to determine which are the most useful for representing motional correlations.
Treatment of recurrent germ cell tumors.

Treatment of recurrent germ cell tumors is a complex undertaking. There are a number of clinical scenarios that can mimic relapse and, as such, a great deal of experience with management of germ cell tumors is required to recognize these rare but important situations that simulate recurrence. If recurrence is proven, standard chemotherapy with cisplatin, ifosfamide, and etoposide can result in approximately 30% of patients being long-term, disease-free survivors. Emerging technologies, e.g., high-dose chemotherapy and new drugs, may augment our current ability to salvage this patient population. Desperation surgery offers an additional opportunity for selected patients with localized chemotherapy-resistant relapse or those patients with late relapse of germ cell tumor. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 17:268–274, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Regulation of airway mucosal ion transport

The secretion of fluid into the airway lumen is due in part to active chloride secretion across the epithelium. Changes in Cl secretion require coordinated changes in the turnover of several transport proteins in order to avoid lethal changes in cell volume. Several different Ca- and cAMP-dependent pathways effect this coordination. Many mediators raise cyclic AMP which activates protein kinase A which in turn opens the apical membrane Cl channel. Cyclic AMP also raises Cai (without change in levels of inositol triphosphate, IP3), and this Ca is probably responsible for activation of basolateral K channels and NaK2Cl cotransporters. Other mediators raise Cai by elevating IP3, and seem to stimulate chloride secretion entirely by Ca-dependent pathways with no change in cyclic AMP levels. Protein kinase C and arachidonic acid inhibit Cl secretion.
Bedside functional imaging of the premature infant brain during passive motor activation

Changes in regional brain blood flow and hemoglobin oxygen saturation occur in the human cortex in response to neural activation. These changes create a signal that can be imaged and quantitated using various methods, most of which do not allow for continuous bedside measurements. Imaging methods using near-infrared light, however, have been described. These allow for non-invasive measurements, and take advantage of the fact that hemoglobin is a strong absorber at these wavelengths and thus acts as a naturalO contrast agent. We have generated brain functional images of ill, premature infants during passive movement of the forearm using the Boston Diffusion Optical Tomography System (DOTS), a system which allows for near real-time bedside assessments. For these initial feasibility studies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), custom-made soft flexible probes were made, and passive motor tasks were performed during imaging. We found that specific passive movements of the arm resulted in focal, reproducible changes in cerebral absorption at 830 nm, indicating an increase in regional blood flow and oxygenation. Further bedside studies have since been undertaken using 780 nm and 830 nm lasers. These studies indicate that the Boston DOTS is a safe and feasible bedside near-infrared functional imaging device, and underline the importance offurther studies in this critically ill patient group at high risk for brain injury.
Surface phenomena at fluid-structure interfaces and their effects on the migration of tritium in controlled thermonuclear reactors

Abstract Phenomena that are likely to have a significant effect on tritium migration through the structural materials of fusion reactors include Langmuir adsorption/desorption, isotopic swamping resulting from the presence of large quantities of protium and/or deuerium, passivation of metal surfaces due to impurity layers, and surface fluxing in the presence of reactive fluids lithium and some molten salts. These phenomena are considered in terms of their anticipated relative importance under a variety of conditions that could be encountered in fusion devices. In addition, the utility of the Ion Microprobe Mass Analyzer as a tool for studying surface characteristics is discussed, and results of some recent experimental studies of the effect of surface impurities on the hydrogen permeability of vanadium are presented.
Optimal document-indexing vocabulary for MEDLINE

The indexing vocabulary is an important determinant of success in text retrieval. Researchers have compared the effectiveness of indexing using free-text and controlled vocabularies in a variety of text contexts. A number of studies have investigated the relative merits of free-text, MeSH and UMLS Metathesaurus indexing vocabularies for MEDLINE document indexing. Most of these studies conclude that controlled vocabularies offer no advantages in retrieval performance over free-text. This paper offers a detailed analysis of prior results and their underlying experimental designs. The analysis indicates that there are a number of open questions relevant to the overall debate on indexing vocabularies for MEDLINE. This paper also offers results from a new experiment assessing eight different retrieval strategies. These strategies involve document indexing via free-text, MeSH and several alternative combinations of the two vocabularies. The results indicate that MeSH does have an important role in text retrieval.
Empowering landscape ecology-connecting science to governance through design values

The relationship between science, design, local governance and values is explored using a Christchurch New Zealand case study. Arguments for greater use of design in science are reviewed, and design revealed as fundamentally different from science, being based upon values rather than logic. The role of local governance is examined, and also shown to be value based. This creates tensions with conventional logic based approaches to landscape science. A recently proposed model of design in science is compared with an alternative model that emerges from the recent experience of preparing a wetlands and waterways strategy, in which science is instead engaged with a values based design process.
Treatment failure in hepatitis C : Mechanisms of non-response

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has evolved remarkable mechanisms that favor viral persistence by interfering with host innate and adaptive immune responses. These same mechanisms are likely to contribute to resistance to exogenously administered interferon used for HCV treatment. We review the host innate and adaptive immune responses in the context of HCV infection as well as the strategies by which these responses are subverted by the virus. In addition, the contribution of host factors, such as race and insulin resistance, to interferon non-responsiveness is discussed. Our progress in understanding the molecular underpinnings of interferon treatment failure in HCV infection has resulted in several promising and novel treatment strategies for HCV treatment non-responders.
X-ray absorption spectroscopy investigation of aqueous Co(II) and Sr(II) sorption at clay-water interfaces

Abstract Sorption processes typically control trace metal concentrations in aquatic systems. To illustrate the impact of various types of surface sites on metal ion sorption behavior, Co(II) and Sr(II) sorption by several clay minerals under a range pH and background electrolyte conditions was studied. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was used to characterize the surface complexes formed to explain the basis for the sorption trends. At low pH, Co(II) could be displaced from the surface by increasing the Na ion concentration. XAS analysis of these samples showed that sorbed Co(II) retained the coordination structure of aqueous phase Co(II), suggesting the formation of weakly associated, outer-sphere, mononuclear Co complexes at permanent charge sites. At high pH, sorbed Co could not be displaced by increasing the Na ion concentration. The XAS analyses of these samples indicated the formation of Co coprecipitates. The results of the Sr(II) sorption experiments suggested weaker bonding between sorbed Sr and the solid surfaces, regardless of solution conditions and adsorbent. XAS analysis of Sr sorption samples revealed the formation of mononuclear, outer-sphere complexes of Sr at clay–water interfaces, similar to the outer-sphere Co sorption samples observed only at low pH.
Digoxin-quinidine-spironolactone interaction

Digoxin kinetics are substantially altered by quinidine and by spironolactone. We evaluated the effect of the combination of quinidine and spironolactone on digoxin kinetics and compared it to the effect on digoxin of each drug alone. Six normal subjects each received a 1.0-mg intravenous dose of digoxin alone, digoxin with quinidine, digoxin with spironolactone, and digoxin with both quinidine and spironolactone. Spironolactone and quinidine, alone and in combination, reduced digoxin systemic, renal, and nonrenal clearances and prolonged digoxin elimination t 1/2. A greater alteration in digoxin kinetics was induced by quinidine than by spironolactone, and an even greater effect resulted from the combination. We did not assess clinical consequences of the interaction. We advise reduction in digoxin dose, careful clinical evaluation, and measurement of serum digoxin concentrations when digoxin is used in combination with quinidine and spironolactone.
Design of Reliable Controllers Using Redundant Control Elements

Design of reliable controllers is proposed utilizing redundant sensor and/or actuators to guarantee H ? norm based performance in case of single outages.
Children dead on arrival: predictors of short-term family follow-up.

Abstract Approximately three fourths of the parents whose children were pronounced dead in one emergency department maintained contact with a professional for at least a month following the death. Families whose children died of trauma did not maintain contact as well as those whose children died of anticipated death, sudden infant death syndrome, or infection. Strong family support systems, employed parents, and appropriate response at the time of death all correlated with continued contact with a professional and adequate coping after death ( P values all
Alcohol, violence, and the Alcohol Myopia Model: preliminary findings and implications for prevention.

This experiment provided a preliminary test of whether the Alcohol Myopia Model (AMM; Steele & Josephs, 1990) would provide a guiding framework for the prevention of alcohol-related violence. The model contends that alcohol has a “myopic” effect on attentional capacity that presumably facilitates violence by focusing attention onto more salient provocative, rather than less salient inhibitory, cues in hostile situations. Participants were 16 intoxicated male social drinkers who completed a laboratory task in which electric shocks were received from, and administered to, a fictitious opponent under the guise of a competitive reaction-time task while they were exposed to either violence-promoting (n = 8) or violence-inhibiting (n = 8) cues. Aggression was operationalized as the intensity and duration of shocks administered by the participant to his “opponent.” Despite being equally intoxicated, participants exposed to violence-inhibiting cues were dramatically less aggressive (d = 1.65) than those exposed to the violence-promoting cues. Our data suggest that the AMM holds a great deal of promise to help develop effective prevention interventions for alcohol-related violence.
GDNF—A potential target to treat addiction ☆

The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a secreted protein, best known for its role in the development of the central and peripheral nervous systems and the survival of adult dopaminergic neurons. More recently, accumulating evidence suggests that GDNF plays a unique role in negatively regulating the actions of drugs of abuse. In this article, we review these data and highlight the possibility that the GDNF pathway may be a promising target for the treatment of addiction.
Chemical separations by bubble-assisted interphase mass-transfer.

We show that when a small amount of heat is added close to a liquid−vapor interface of a captive gas bubble in a microchannel, interphase mass-transfer through the bubble can occur in a controlled manner with only a slight change in the temperature of the fluid. We demonstrate that this method, which we refer to as bubble-assisted interphase mass-transfer (BAIM), can be applied to interphase chemical separations, e.g., simple distillation, without the need for high temperatures, vacuum, or active cooling. Although any source of localized heating could be used, we illustrate BAIM with an all-optical technique that makes use of the plasmon resonance in an array of nanoscale metal structures that are incorporated into the channel to produce localized heating of the fluid when illuminated by a stationary low-power laser.
Association of lifetime intellectual enrichment with cognitive decline in the older population

Importance Intellectual lifestyle enrichment throughout life is increasingly viewed as a protective strategy against commonly observed cognitive decline in the older population. Objectives To investigate the association of lifetime intellectual enrichment with baseline cognitive performance and rate of cognitive decline in an older population without dementia and to estimate the years of protection provided against cognitive impairment by these factors. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective analysis of individuals enrolled from October 1, 2004, and in 2008 and 2009 in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, a longitudinal, population-based study of cognitive aging in Olmsted County, Minnesota. We studied 1995 individuals without dementia (1718 cognitively normal individuals and 277 individuals with mild cognitive impairment) who completed intellectual lifestyle enrichment measures at baseline and underwent at least 1 follow-up visit. Main Outcomes and Measures We studied the effect of lifetime intellectual enrichment by separating the variables into 2 nonoverlapping principal components: education/occupation score and mid/late-life cognitive activity based on self-report questionnaires. A global cognitive z score served as the summary cognition measure. Linear mixed-effects models were used to investigate the associations of demographic and intellectual enrichment measures with global cognitive z score trajectories. Results Baseline cognitive performance was lower in older individuals; individuals with lower education/occupation score, lower mid/late-life cognitive activity, and APOE genotype; and men ( P P APOE4 genotype were significantly associated with longitudinal change in cognitive performance from baseline ( P APOE4 carriers with high lifetime intellectual enrichment (75th percentile of education/occupation score and midlife to late-life cognitive activity), the onset of cognitive impairment was approximately 8.7 years later compared with low lifetime intellectual enrichment (25th percentile of education/occupation score and mid/late-life cognitive activity). Conclusions and Relevance Higher education/occupation scores were associated with higher levels of cognition. Higher levels of mid/late-life cognitive activity were also associated with higher levels of cognition, but the slope of this association slightly increased over time. Lifetime intellectual enrichment might delay the onset of cognitive impairment and be used as a successful preventive intervention to reduce the impending dementia epidemic.
Association between having no sons and using no contraception among a nationally representative sample of young wives in Nepal.

Objective To examine whether a lack of sons predicts non-use of contraception among young wives in Nepal.
Morphology and ultrastructure of the distal airway epithelium in the guinea pig

The distal airways, defined anatomically as the region of the respiratory system including the terminal bronchioles through alveoli, were characterized in the guinea pig by means of light microscopy and by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The epithelium of the terminal bronchioles was comprised of two cell types. Ciliated cells were cuboidal and contained long thin microvilli, ellipsoid mitochondria, and both rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Nonciliated (Clara) cells were dome-shaped and usually protruded into the bronchiolar lumen. Numerous large mitochondria, granules of varying density, and crystalloid inclusions were notable in nonciliated cells. Respiratory bronchioles were characterized by a smooth-surfaced, low cuboidal epithelium. The cells in this region contained the crystalloid material found in terminal bronchioles, numerous large mitochondria, lysosomelike inclusions, and unusual tubular structures arranged in a matrix. The epithelium became progressively squamous toward the alveolar duct, where transition from bronchiolar cells to pneumocytes occurred. Transitional zones consisted of cells which, in addition to the above-mentioned structures, contained inclusions with internal laminations. These inclusions were structurally similar to the lamellar bodies observed in typical type II pneumocytes of the alveoli. The epithelium of both the alveolar ducts and alveoli was composed of type I and type II pneumocytes. Classical type I pneumocytes were squamous and very similar in cytoplasmic characteristics to the endothelial cells of the adjacent capillaries. Type II pneumocytes were characterized by the presence of lamellar bodies and numerous mitochondria.
A New Scheme for Daily Peak Wind Gust Prediction Using Machine Learning

Abstract A major challenge in meteorology is the forecasting of winds owing to their highly chaotic nature. However, wind forecasts, and in particular daily peak wind gust forecasts, provide the public with a general sense of the risks associated with wind on a given day and are useful in decision making. Additionally, such knowledge is critical for wind energy production. Currently, no operational daily peak wind gust product exists. As such, this project will seek to develop a peak wind gust prediction scheme based on output from an operational numerical weather prediction model. Output from the North American Mesoscale (NAM) model will be used in a support vector regression (SVR) algorithm trained to predict daily peak wind gusts for ten cities commonly impacted by hazardous wind gusts (cities in the Midwest and central Plains) and with interests in wind energy. Output from a kernel principal component analysis of the fully three-dimensional atmosphere as characterized by the NAM forecasts will be used to predict peak wind gusts for each location at 36 hours lead time. Ultimately, this initial product will lead to the development of a more robust prediction scheme that could one day transition into an operational forecast model.
Elections as Filters: Term Limits and the Composition of the U.S. House:

Assessment of proposals to limit legislative terms has been restricted, and thus muddled, by a dearth of empirical data. Absent hard evidence, an abundance of often contradictory speculation has em...
Creating a consumer health information network

Describes how a consortium, consisting of City University of New York Office Library Services, METRO, the New York Academy of Medicine and New York Public Library received a TIIAP grant from the US Department of Commerce in October 1991, to demonstrate the power of the National Information Infrastructure to bring consumer health information to the broadest possible public. The partners demonstrated that libraries have a significant role to play in the implementation of Internet‐based services through their traditional roles of collecting, organizing and making accessible information of all types to the public at large. The site they created, NOAH (New York Online Access to Health) is user‐friendly and consistently organized and bi‐lingual (English/Spanish) which gives access to carefully selected authentic health information. The partners found that the cost of creating and maintaining an information‐rich Web site is not trivial.
Scanning tunneling microscopy of the conducting transition metal complex, copper bis-(2,5-dimethyl-N,N′-dicyanoquinonediimine)

Abstract We have studied the conducting transition metal complex, copper bis-(2,5-dimethyl- N , N ′-dicyanoquinonediimine) (Cu(2,5-DM-DCNQI) 2 ), using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The crystal face imaged by STM at molecular resolution shows structural periodicities of 11 and 4 A along the orthogonal directions. This surface structure agrees with the reported bulk crystal structure of Cu(2,5-DM-DCNQI) 2 , with 11 A periodicity indicative of close-packed planes of Cu(2,5-DM-DCNQI) 2 complexes along the crystallographic c axis and the 4 A repeat corresponding to the columnar stacking of 2,5-DM-DCNQI ligands along the crystallographic a axis. We have calculated the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of a 2,5-DM-DCNQI ligand and have shown that the highest electron density resides on the benzene rings, the cyano groups and the imino groups. Guided by these MO calculations, distorted rhombic cells in the STM image could be drawn by connecting four adjacent high contrast sites, possibly the cyano functional groups of surface-terminating 2,5-DM-DCNQI ligands.
Correlation of performance of sole-crop and intercrop cowpeas with and without protection from insect pests

Abstract Five field trials were conducted in Kenya with 12 or 16 diverse cowpea genotypes grown as sole-crops and as intercrops, simultaneously with early-maturing maize and with and without insect protection (in four of the five trials). Objectives were to (1) determine the adequacy of protected or unprotected sole-crop evaluations of genotypes for unprotected intercrop farming systems, and (2) determine if specific plant growth habits or growth durations are advantageous under intercropping. Protected sole-crop yields were not correlated with unprotected intercrop yields in any of the four experiments, but unprotected sole-crop yields were consistently positively correlated with unprotected intercrop yields, and were significant in three of five trials. Differences in field tolerance to insect pests among the lines partially accounted for these correlations. Significant or highly significant positive correlations were observed between protected sole-crop and protected intercrop yields in three of four trials. While protected sole-crop evaluations would be useful in identifying lines for a protected intercrop farming system, such procedures would fail to identify lines best suited to unprotected intercrop systems used by the majority of farmers. Early generation nurseries could be conducted using unprotected sole-crops to evaluate tolerance to pests, but final evaluations should be conducted with the unprotected intercropping system practiced by most farmers. No particular growth habit or developmental pattern appeared to be particularly advantageous under the intercropping system investigated.
Studies of diamond-like and nitrogen-containing diamond-like carbon using laser Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Diamond-like carbon (a-C and a-C:H) and nitrogen-containing diamond-like carbon (a-C:N and a-C:N:H) films were deposited using ion-beam sputter deposition and r.f. plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) techniques, and studied by laser Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra were deconvoluted to D and G bands using lorentzian and gaussian line shapes. Both line shapes were found to produce consistent results. The Raman parameters, including the intensity ratios (I(D)/I(G)), band positions and bandwidths, were obtained. The Raman spectra of nitrogen-containing and nitrogen-free diamond-like carbon films were found to be different in terms of the Raman parameters. The differences originated from the incorporation of nitrogen itno diamond-like carbon. The Raman spectra of various carbons were also analyzed systematically.
Reduction of acrolein by elemental iron: kinetics, pH effect, and detoxification.

Acrolein is a highly toxic α,β-unsaturated aldehyde that is widely used as a biocide, a cross-linking agent, and an intermediate in the chemical industry, among other applications. In this study we investigated the reductive transformation of acrolein by elemental iron and evaluated the feasibility of using iron to detoxify acrolein. At acidic and neutral pH, acrolein was transformed by iron through reduction of the CC double bond to propionaldehyde. The reduction appeared to involve the chemisorption of acrolein to the iron surface followed by reduction of adsorbed acrolein. Both the adsorption and reduction rate constants decreased with increasing pH. Between pH 7.0 and 7.4, the acrolein adsorption rate constant decreased precipitously, resulting in a sharp decline in its removal rate. At higher pH, acrolein disappeared rapidly in control without iron, presumably due to reversible, base-catalyzed hydration. At equilibrium, approximately 93% of acrolein was hydrated, corresponding to an equilibrium const...
A Tri-Plate Variable Capacitor for Electrostatic Energy Harvesting

Electrostatic power generators employ micro-fabricated variable gap capacitors to harvest mechanical vibration energy and have applications in wireless sensors networks [1]. This paper investigates a new tri-plate architecture for an in-plane, gap-closing, electrostatic micro-generator. Unlike double-plate designs, which rely on a half sweep movement of the movable electrode from a relative extreme displacement to a central position [1], the tri-plate design allows a full sweep of the movable electrode from opposite relative displacement extremes. This results in a significantly larger capacitance ratio that can increase power output by 40% over a comparable double plate design. Dynamic simulations in Simulink are used to determine the displacement of the movable electrode in order to verify design practicality and calculate power output.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Foundations for smarter cities

This paper describes the information technology (IT) foundation and principles for Smarter Cities™. Smarter Cities are urban areas that exploit operational data, such as that arising from traffic congestion, power consumption statistics, and public safety events, to optimize the operation of city services. The foundational concepts are instrumented, interconnected, and intelligent. Instrumented refers to sources of near-real-time real-world data from both physical and virtual sensors. Interconnected means the integration of those data into an enterprise computing platform and the communication of such information among the various city services. Intelligent refers to the inclusion of complex analytics, modeling, optimization, and visualization in the operational business processes to make better operational decisions. This approach enables the adaptation of city services to the behavior of the inhabitants, which permits the optimal use of the available physical infrastructure and resources, for example, in sensing and controlling consumption of energy and water, managing waste processing and transportation systems, and applying optimization to achieve new efficiencies among these resources. Additional roles exist in intelligent interaction between the city and its inhabitants and further contribute to operational efficiency while maintaining or enhancing quality of life.
A third member of the photolyase/blue-light photoreceptor family in Drosophila: a putative circadian photoreceptor.

— Two photolyases, specific for cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and (6–4) photoproducts, have been reported in Drosophila. These enzymes share extensive sequence homologies with the plant blue-light photoreceptor. We have now identified a third gene in Drosophila melanogaster with extensive sequence homology to the photolyase gene. The newly identified gene, which we named dCRY, was expressed as a recombinant protein and tested for photolyase activity. The recombinant protein exhibited photochemical properties similar to those of Drosophila pyrimidine dimer and (6–4) photolyases but lacked photolyase activity. In light of recent evidence that blue-light photoreceptors regulate the circadian clock in mammals, we propose that dCRY is the circadian photoreceptor in this organism.