cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal algorithms for exact, inexact, and approval voting

The design of optimal n-way voting algorithms based on the structure of the input object space is considered. The design techniques are then extended to inexact and approval voting schemes. It is shown that efficient theta (n)-time voting algorithms can be designed when the input object space is small. Next in the hierarchy is the case of a totally-ordered object space that supports worst-case theta (nlogn) algorithms for both exact and inexact voting as well as for certain approval-voting schemes. An unordered input object space leads to worst-case Omega (n/sup 2/) algorithms, even when a distance metric can be defined on the input object space. Some observations on the relationship of voting to other well-studied problems, particularly sorting, are also included. >
Off-path round trip time measurement via TCP/IP side channels

We present a novel technique for estimating the round trip time network latency between two off-path end hosts. That is, given two arbitrary machines, A and B, on the Internet, our technique measures the round trip time from A to B. We take advantage of information side-channels that are present in the TCP/IP network stack of modern Linux kernels to infer information about off-path routes. Compared to previous tools, ours does not require additional resources, machines, or require additional protocols beyond TCP. The only requirements are that one end host have an open port and be running a modern Linux kernel and that the other end host responds to unsolicited SYN-ACK packets with a RST packet. We evaluate our technique “in the wild” and compare our off-path estimates to on-path measurements. Our experiments show that our technique provides accurate, real-time estimates of off-path network latency. In over 80% of measurements our technique provides off-path round trip time measurements within 20% of the actual round trip time. We also discuss possible causes of errors that impact the accuracy of our measurements.
Dynamic Query Processing for P2P Data Services in the Cloud

With the trend of cloud computing, data and computing are moved away from desktop and are instead provided as a service from the cloud. Data-as-a-service enables access to a wealth of data across distributed and heterogeneous data sources in the cloud. We designed and developed DObjects, a general-purpose P2P-based query and data operations infrastructure that can be deployed in the cloud. This paper presents the details of the dynamic query execution engine within our data query infrastructure that dynamically adapts to network and node conditions. The query processing is capable of fully benefiting from all the distributed resources to minimize the query response time and maximize system throughput. We present a set of experiments using both simulations and real implementation and deployment.
Regulatory Policy and Information Deficiencies in the Market for Mental Health Services

This paper addresses issues related to the regulation of the delivery of mental health services. The focus is primarily on regulations that are aimed at dealing with the consequences of imperfect information in the marketplace. The paper reviews and assesses what is known about the impact of regulations on efficiency and equity. One conclusion is that we know a fair amount about impacts of regulation on prices for mental health service and very little about effects on quality of care. A research agenda is proposed based on the knowledge available in 1988.
An Idealized Model of the World Ocean. Part I: The Global-Scale Water Masses

Abstract A primitive equation, three-dimensional numerical model of the ocean, employing idealized versions of the real topography and surface boundary conditions, is used to study the water mass structure of the World Ocean. In particular, the response of the model to three fundamental changes in boundary conditions is investigated in an attempt to identify the mechanisms in the model which are responsible for the establishment of the largest scale features of the global water-mass structure. With the Drake Passage closed, thermohaline driving alone, and a fresh North Atlantic surface salinity specified, only the coarsest aspects of the observed T and S structure are reproduced and the entire World Ocean below the thermocline is dominated by water formed at the southern boundary. The salinity configuration in particular, lacks much of its observed structure in this case. When the Drake Passage is opened, the resulting circumpolar flow serves to isolate the extreme southern ocean. This allows waters of no...
Optical and thermal properties of In 12 Ga 88 N/GaN solar cells

In this work we investigate the optical and thermal properties of In 12 Ga 88 N/GaN photovoltaic devices. These devices show very good solar cell characteristics with peak external quantum efficiency of 63%, open circuit voltage of 1.7 V, and a fill factor of 76%. Thermal measurements show no reduction in output power with increasing temperature up to 87 °C.
Sertraline in Children and Adolescents With Social Anxiety Disorder: An Open Trial

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this open-label study was to assess the therapeutic benefits, response pattern, and safety of sertraline in children with social anxiety disorder. Method Fourteen outpatient subjects with a primary Axis I diagnosis of social anxiety disorder were treated in an 8-week open trial of sertraline. Diagnostic and primary outcome measures included the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children, Clinical Global Impressions scale (CGI), Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children, and a standardized behavioral avoidance test. Results As measured by the CGI (Improvement subscale), 36% (5/14) of subjects were classified as treatment responders and 29% (4/14) as partial responders by the end of the 8-week trial. A significant clinical response appeared by week 6. Self-report and behavioral measures showed significant clinical improvement into normal range across all domains measured. The mean dose of sertraline was 123.21 ± 37.29 mg per day. Sertraline was generally well tolerated. Conclusion In open treatment, sertraline resulted in significant improvement in symptoms of childhood social anxiety disorder. Absolute response rates varied depending on rating scales used. Findings from this study are sufficiently strong to warrant a future multisite, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of sertraline for treatment of childhood social anxiety disorder.
Lipids of Haliphthoros philippinensis: An oomycetous marine microbe

Lipids of the marine oomycetous microbe Haliphthoros philippinensis were characterized by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Total lipid content of this organism was relatively low and not very responsive to manipulation of the culture conditions. Neutral lipid comprised 21% of the total lipid and the polar lipids were mainly phosphatidylcholine (44%), phosphatidylethanolamine (15%), and a ceramide-phosphorylethanolamine (19%). Palmitic (16:0) was the primary saturated fatty acid at 25% of the total fatty acids, and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, ARA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) were the major unsaturated fatty acids at 19 and 21%, respectively. Fucosterol was the principal sterol at 59% of the total sterols. The effects of several cultivation variables on growth and EPA production by this species were investigated. Among those tested, glucose and sodium glutamate were the most efficient carbon and nitrogen sources for growth, respectively. When the mycelium was cultivated for 6 d to produce biomass under optimal growth conditions, and then transferred to low temperature for an additional 13 d without glucose, the EPA content reached 31% of the total fatty acids and the yield was 203 mg/L. When the same experiment was performed with glucose supplementation during the low-temperature phase, EPA composed 27% of total fatty acids and yield reached 316 mg/L, or a 285% increase over that from mycelium cultured for 6 d at 24°C, and 56% over that cultured at 16°C for 13 d. ARA production did not respond accordingly.
Efficacy of Listerine Antiseptic in reducing viral contamination of saliva.

Aim: The anti-viral efficacy of oral antimicrobial rinses has not been adequately studied in terms of potential clinical significance. As a follow-up to an in vitro study on the effect of oral antiseptics on Herpes simplex virus, Type 1, this study was undertaken to evaluate the in vivo effect of an essential oil containing oral antiseptic on the reduction of viral titer in saliva during active viral infection. Method: Patients were recruited and evaluated in a single visit protocol at the onset of a perioral outbreak, consistent historically and clinically with recurrent Herpes labialis. Direct immunofluorescence of cytological smears of the lesions/oral fluids was used to confirm Herpes simplex virus types I or II. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: (1) active ingredient and (2) sterile water control. The viral lesion was evaluated as to clinical stage according to standard protocol. Salivary fluid samples were taken: (1) at baseline; (2) immediately following a 30 s rinse; (3) 30 min. after the 30 s rinse; and (4) on the repeat trial, also at 60 min. after the 30 s rinse. All samples were evaluated for viral titer and results compared. Results: In Trial 1, the sample population consisted of 19 males and 21 females with an average age of 29.2 and in Trial 2, 21 males, 19 females with an average age of 28. In both Trials 1 and 2, recoverable infectious virions were reduced to zero after a 30 s experimental rinse; whereas, the control rinse resulted in a non-significant (p>0.05) reduction. The experimental group also demonstrated a continued significant (p<0.05) reduction 30 min. post rinse when compared with baseline while the control group returned to baseline levels. In Trial 2, the 60 min. post rinse follow-up demonstrated a 1–2 log residual reduction from baseline in the experimental group; however, this was not significant. Conclusions: There is clinical efficacy in utilizing an oral rinse with the antimicrobial agent Listerine® Antiseptic in reducing the presence of viral contamination in oral fluids for at least 30 min. after oral rinse. The risk of viral cross contamination generated from these oral fluids in person to person contact or during dental treatment may be reduced.
Electronic Structure of GaAs

Using a nonlocal pseudopotential, including spin-orbit interactions, we have calculated a band structure for GaAs which is in excellent agreement with electroreflectance, wave-length-modulation, and photoemission experimental results. As in a calculation by Pandey and Phillips, an order of magnitude in accuracy has been gained over existing band structures; the largest discrepancy with Schottky-barrier electroreflectance measurements is less than 0.08 eV. The ${E}_{0}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ conflict is resolved in favor of Aspnes's interpretation.
Stereoselective synthesis of the dihydroxyisoleucine constituent of the amanita mushroom toxins

Abstract Ester-enolate Claisen rearrangement of cis -croytl N- t -Boc-glycinate and iodolactonization of the N-phthaloyl derivative of the resulting unsaturated acid are used as the stereocontrolling steps in a synthesis of the title compound.
Improvement of environmental impact analysis by application of principles derived from manipulative ecology: Lessons from coastal marine case histories

I discuss briefly how the basic science of ecology contributed to the resolution of environmental problems in eight different cases in which I have been involved over the past few years. I then draw from 2 decades of experience as an academic marine ecologist and biological oceanographer to extract general lessons from each case on how environmental applications could be improved by better use of the wisdom of the field of ecology. The eight cases respresent four pairs of contrasts covering a spectrum of applications of ecological science to environmental problems: (i) two assessments of the environmental impacts from coastal ocean discharges, one evaluated by data collected under traditionally designed, self-monitoring programmes largely mandated by the agency granting the discharge permit and the other employing an academically designed programme of explicit impact testing; (ii) two assessments of the effects of offshore oil and gas development, one done before exploration drilling to assess the adequacy of available environmental information on which to base decisions about drilling permits and the other an analysis of natural resource damages after a coastal oil spill had occurred; (iii) two evaluations of environmental problems conducted by special ad hoc panels created to resolve the environmental disputes; and (iv) two examples of how rule-making commissions employed ecological insights in the establishment of regulations, in one case to preserve environmental quality and in the other to manage natural fishery resources. From the experience of these eight cases, I derive 38 lessons for the future improvement of environmental problem solving by better use of ecological sciences. These lessons fall into four categories: (i) improvements in study design and analysis; (ii) recognition of the importance of the multi-species, multi-factor (‘ecosystem’) context in which populations are nested; (iii) acknowledgement of how social concerns constrain environmental decisions; and (iv) identification of common fallacies in environmental assessment.
THE FUNCTIONS OF RESEARCH FOR EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION.

The question “What is the function of research for educational administration?” requires an answer at at least three different levels. First, at the technical level, its function is to provide the basis for rationalizing the means for the attainment of educational goals, i.e. for the development of technologies of education. Second, at the administrative level, it series the same function in relation to the goals of procuring and mobilizing resources. Third, in each of the above areas, it functions, or at least can function, to identify the objective consequences of adopting certain goals, and certain means of attaining those goals, for the larger structures in which these goals and means are embedded.
Symptomatic Double Aortic Arch Causing Tracheal and Esophageal Compression in the Adult

A 50-year-old woman with a symptomatic double aortic arch that was successfully treated surgically is presented. Review of this abnormality notes that this anomaly rarely causes symptoms in adults. Greater awareness of the possibility of this condition as a cause of tracheal compression and dysphagia may lead to symptomatic relief for these patients.
THE INFLUENCE OF SOLVENTS ON THE ULTRAVIOLET-VISIBLE ABSORPTION SPECTRA OF POLYCYCLIC HYDROCARBONS: APPLICATIONS IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF FUEL PRODUCTS BY HPLC/UV/MS

Using high-pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet-visible (UV) diode-array and mass spectrometric detection, we have analyzed the supercritical pyrolysis products of toluene and of a Fischer-Tropsch synthetic jet fuel. Three polycyclic hydrocarbons, dibenzo[b,ghi]perylene, 8H-dibenzo[a,jk]pyrene, and benzo[pqr]dinaphtho[8,1,2-bcd:2′,1′,8′-lmn]perylene have been unequivocally identified among the products. First, the mass spectra established the families of the unknown compounds as C26H14, C23H14, and C34H16. Next, the experimental UV absorption spectra of the three products, each obtained in either acetonitrile/dichloromethane or dichloromethane, were compared, respectively, to the published UV spectra of standards of the C26H14 dibenzo[b,ghi]perylene, in ethanol and benzene; the C23H14 8H-dibenzo[a,jk]pyrene, in benzene; and the C34H16 benzo[pqr]dinaphtho[8,1,2-bcd:2′,1′,8′-lmn]perylene, in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene. Small differences (of a few nm) between the UV spectra of each product/reference-s...
The proximal portion of the COOH terminus of the oxytocin receptor is required for coupling to g(q), but not g(i). Independent mechanisms for elevating intracellular calcium concentrations from intracellular stores.

As the oxytocin receptor plays a key role in parturition and lactation, there is considerable interest in defining its structure/functional relationships. We previously showed that the rat oxytocin receptor transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells was coupled to both Gq/11 and Gi/o, and that oxytocin stimulated ERK-2 phosphorylation and prostaglandin E2 synthesis via protein kinase C activity. In this study, we show that deletion of 51 amino acid residues from the carboxyl terminus resulted in reduced affinity for oxytocin and a corresponding rightward shift in the dose-response curve for oxytocin-stimulated [Ca2+]i. However, oxytocin-stimulated ERK-2 phosphorylation and prostaglandin E2 synthesis did not occur in cells expressing the truncated receptor. Oxytocin also failed to increase phospholipase A activity or activate protein kinase C, indicating that the mutant receptor is uncoupled from Gq-mediated pathways. The Δ51 receptor is coupled to Gi, as oxytocin-stimulated Ca2+ transients were inhibited by pertussis toxin, and a Gβγ sequestrant. Preincubation of Δ51 cells with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, also blocked the oxytocin effect. A Δ39 mutant had all the activities of the wild type oxytocin receptor. These results show that the portion between 39 and 51 residues from the COOH terminus of the rat oxytocin receptor is required for interaction with Gq/11, but not Gi/o. Furthermore, an increase in intracellular calcium was generated via a Giβγ-tyrosine kinase pathway from intracellular stores that are distinct from Gq-mediated inositol trisphosphate-regulated stores.
Cellular aspects of polyclonal activation of B lymphocytes

The responses of B lymphocytes to exogenous stimulation can be antigen-specific or non-specific. Non-specific stimulation by a single agent activates a multitude of clones of B cells, each secreting antibody of pre-programmed specificity. In this review Michael Goodman examines how polyclonal activation of B cells can be achieved, and the relationship between such stimulation and DNA synthesis, considers the evidence for and against the existence of B-cell subpopulations responsive to different polyclonal activators, and looks at the ways in which polyclonal activation is regulated.
Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study of AlnX (n = 1−6; X = As, Sb) Clusters: Evidence of Aromaticity and the Jellium Model

The electronic structure of AlnX (n = 1−6; X = As, Sb) clusters has been investigated using a synergistic approach combining negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy and first principles electronic structure calculations. It is shown that Al3X and Al5X exhibit enhanced energetic stability, as evidenced from calculated removal and embedding energies as well as chemical stability manifested through a large gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). However, the stabilities of these species are derived from different mechanisms. Al3As and Al3Sb, with HOMO−LUMO gaps of 1.86 and 1.73 eV, respectively, are shown to have planar geometries where the p orbitals combine to form one π and two σ aromatic orbitals reminiscent of conventional all-metal aromatic species. Al5As and Al5Sb, with 20 valence electrons, possess a closed electronic shell (1s2, 1p6, 1d10, 2s2) within a jellium framework and have HOMO−LUMO gaps of 1.12 and 1.17 eV, respectively.
Musical Variations from a Chaotic Mapping

A chaotic mapping provides a technique for generating musical variations of an original work. This technique, based on the sensitivity of chaotic trajectories to initial conditions, produces changes in the pitch sequence of a piece. A sequence of musical pitches {p(i)}, i.e., any piece ranging from Bach (or earlier) to contemporary music, is paired with the x-components {x(i)} of a Lorenz chaotic trajectory. Each p(i) is marked on the x axis at the point designated by its x(i). In this way, the x axis becomes a pitch axis configured according to the notes of the original composition. Then, a second chaotic trajectory, whose initial condition differs from the first, is launched. Its x-components trigger pitches on the pitch axis (via the mapping) that vary in sequence from the original work, thus creating a variation. There are virtually an unlimited number of variations possible, many appealing to expert and nonexpert alike. (c) 1996 American Institute of Physics.
1133 ACYCLOVIR SENSITIVITY OF HERPESVIRUS SHED BY INFANTS WITH COMPLICATED NEONATAL DISEASE

Clinical isolates from five infants who experienced recurrent herpes simplex virus (HSV) disease following acyclovir therapy for neonatal infection were examined to determine if subsequent disease was caused by virus resistant to acyclovir in vitro. All infants received at least two courses of antiviral therapy and were felt to improve clinically during drug administration. Following discontinuation of antiviral therapy however, signs and symptoms of recurrent herpesvirus illness were present peripherally, and in some cases were associated with systemic clinical deterioration. The in vitro sensitivity of virus isolated from these infants was determined using a microtiter dye uptake technique in Vero cells. Sensitivity values are expressed as the concentration of acyclovir required to inhibit virus-induced cytopathic effects by 50% (ID50 value). All virus isolated from these infants was sensitive to acyclovir. The mean pre therapy ID50 was 1.37 mcg/ml. Following a first course of acyclovir, recurrent lesions were culture positive in only three of five babies. The mean ID50 of these isolates was 0.96. The ID50 of virus isolated from recurrences in all five infants following additional intravenous drug therapy was 1.39. Recurrent and progressive disease in this group of infants could not be attributed to selection of resistant virus.
Membrane Resealing: Synaptotagmin VII Keeps Running the Show

Ca2+ influx, an immediate consequence of plasma membrane disruption, triggers a resealing mechanism involving exocytosis. Although this has been known for about a decade, a better understanding of the organelles involved and of the molecular machinery controlling membrane repair has been slower to emerge. Recent studies have changed this picture, by identifying lysosomes as exocytotic vesicles involved in membrane resealing and the Ca2+-binding protein synaptotagmin VII as a regulator of this process. New evidence reinforces the role of the C2A and C2B domains of synaptotagmin VII in plasma membrane repair, highlighting the importance of this molecule as a powerful tool for future studies.
Role of neutrophil elastase in hypersecretion in asthma

Goblet cell (GC) hyperplasia and mucous plugging are common in patients with acute asthma. These patients also show neutrophil recruitment into the airways. Neutrophils contain elastase, a potent secretagogue in airways. Therefore, it was reasoned that neutrophil recruitment, by releasing elastase, could result in GC hypersecretion. When neutrophil chemoattractants were instilled in the airways of guinea-pigs, time-dependent neutrophil recruitment and GC degranulation occurred. An inhibitor of leukocyte infiltration (NPC15669) prevented both responses, implicating neutrophils. An inhibitor of neutrophil elastase (ICI 200,355) abolished GC degranulation, implicating elastase. Further studies implicate movement of elastase from cytoplasmic granules to the neutrophil surface, and they suggest a role for adhesion molecules on neutrophils and on GCs in neutrophil-dependent GC degranulation. Similarly, instillation of ovalbumin (OVA) into airways of OVA-sensitized guinea-pigs caused early recruitment of neutrophils and GC degranulation. GC degranulation was prevented by pretreatment with NPC15669 or ICI 200,355. These results implicate neutrophil release of elastase in allergen-induced hypersecretion. The results suggest a mechanism for the mucous plugging that occurs in acute asthma; prevention of neutrophil recruitment, prevention of neutrophil-GC adhesion, or inhibition of elastase activity could provide effective therapy for this serious pathophysiological abnormality.
White Racial Attitudes and Support for the Mississippi State Flag

In recent years, there has been a dearth of literature documenting a relationship between oldfashioned racism and the vote for a racially conservative candidate or White opposition to various racial policies. In fact, a number of scholars have argued that a newracism has supplanted the old-fashioned racism. Analysis of a survey of college students in the state of Mississippi reveals that old-fashioned racism provides the strongest explanation of White support for the Mississippi state flag. These findings are startling given the educational levels of the respondents.
Blacksheep: detecting compromised hosts in homogeneous crowds

The lucrative rewards of security penetrations into large organizations have motivated the development and use of many sophisticated rootkit techniques to maintain an attacker's presence on a compromised system. Due to the evasive nature of such infections, detecting these rootkit infestations is a problem facing modern organizations. While many approaches to this problem have been proposed, various drawbacks that range from signature generation issues, to coverage, to performance, prevent these approaches from being ideal solutions.In this paper, we present Blacksheep, a distributed system for detecting a rootkit infestation among groups of similar machines. This approach was motivated by the homogenous natures of many corporate networks. Taking advantage of the similarity amongst the machines that it analyses, Blacksheep is able to efficiently and effectively detect both existing and new infestations by comparing the memory dumps collected from each host.We evaluate Blacksheep on two sets of memory dumps. One set is taken from virtual machines using virtual machine introspection, mimicking the deployment of Blacksheep on a cloud computing provider's network. The other set is taken from Windows XP machines via a memory acquisition driver, demonstrating Blacksheep's usage under more challenging image acquisition conditions. The results of the evaluation show that by leveraging the homogeneous nature of groups of computers, it is possible to detect rootkit infestations.
Examination of the ‘founder effect’ in biodiversity research: patterns and imbalances in the published literature

We reviewed 2524 articles published from 1987 to 1995 in five international journals, Conservation Biology, Biological Conservation, Biodiversity and Conservation, Ecological Applications, and the Journal of Applied Ecology, to assess patterns and imbalances in biodiversity research in the following subject areas: locations where research was conducted, types of organisms studied, types of ecosystems studied, types of methodologies used, and types of stresses investigated. Biodiversity research was found to be narrowly focused with little deviation from its initial course set of being a discipline concerned largely with the implications of forest habitat loss on charismatic terrestrial megafauna; i.e. the ‘founder effect’ is very much in evidence. The ‘sleeping dragon’ of ignored marine biodiversity is really symptomatic of a wider problem, and can perhaps be referred to as a ‘hibernating hydra’ of many imbalances due to, for example, under-representations of research from developing nations, or on amphibians and invertebrates, alpine and arctic systems, sociological components and chemical stresses etc. It is time to take steps to actively awaken the creature so that conservation biology/applied ecology can become more pluralistic in scope.
Parasomnias: Psychiatric Considerations

Parasomnias represent undesirable experiences or behavior that arise from sleep but are not fully under voluntary control. As a group of disorders, they challenge the arbitrary separation between disciplines, and reflect the interdisciplinary nature of sleep medicine. Appreciation of the psychiatric aspects of parasomnias is necessary by those who manage these disorders because they are often comorbid with mental illness, may present with psychiatric complaints, may be induced by psychotropic medications, and are often effectively managed with psychopharmocologic and/or psychotherapeutic interventions.
Aldosterone Blockade in Patients With Systolic Left Ventricular Dysfunction

The patient, W.L., is a 62-year-old white man with a history of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and an anterior Q-wave myocardial infarction 3 years ago. He has had 2 admissions for heart failure in the past 6 months. He was last discharged 2 months ago on aspirin 325 mg daily, simvastatin 40 mg daily, enalapril 10 mg BID, metoprolol XL 100 mg daily, digoxin 0.25 mg daily, and furosemide 120 mg BID. Over the past month, he has noted some increasing dyspnea on exertion and occasional episodes of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea but has not had any increase in peripheral edema or body weight. His left ventricular ejection fraction on discharge from the hospital 2 months ago was 26%, with evidence of a large anterior akinetic area but without evidence of inducible myocardial ischemia on dobutamine echocardiography. His laboratory data today included a hematocrit of 41%, serum creatinine 1.1 mg%, potassium 4.1 meq/L, fasting blood sugar 108 mg%, LDL cholesterol 92 mg/dL, HDL cholesterol 45 mg/dL, triglycerides 188 mg/dL, serum digoxin level 1.2, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (Biosite) 508. ECG revealed evidence of an old anterior myocardial infarction, and chest x-ray showed cardiomegaly with some increase in pulmonary vascularity. At this time, would you suggest any change in his medical regimen? Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and β-blockade have been shown effective in improving survival in patients with systolic left ventricular dysfunction (SLVD) resulting from both ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy; they are indicated in all patients with heart failure (HF) caused by SLVD unless contraindicated or not tolerated. Although they improve the symptoms of HF, loop diuretics and digoxin have not been shown to reduce mortality rate. There is, however, increasing evidence that aldosterone blockade is effective in reducing mortality and morbidity rates in patients with HF caused by SLVD that is associated …
Quantifying talk: developing reliable measures of verbal productivity.

Measuring talkativeness is of interest to several areas of research. However, there are few brief, validated measures available. We examined test-retest reliability, inter-relationships and convergent/divergent validity for five brief measures of verbal productivity. Nineteen men and 32 women participated in four sessions, completing five speech tasks that varied in demand, purpose of speech and sociability. Several potential metrics (word count, duration and rate) were examined. All tasks except a novel Unprompted Speech task demonstrated good word count test-retest reliability (interclass correlation coefficients from .71 to .85). Factor analysis revealed low-demand, non-functional tasks formed one factor (“Voluntary Talkativeness”), while higher demand tasks formed a second factor (“Speech Ability”). This finding and examination of relationships with IQ, personality and gender indicate “Voluntary Talkativeness” is not wholly accounted for by verbal ability, and is only weakly related to self-reported personality. Recommendations for the measurement of “Voluntary Talkativeness” are made.
Salmonella , Campylobacter and Enterococcus spp.: Their Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and their Spatial Relationships in a Synoptic Study of the Upper Oconee River Basin

Rivers may serve as reservoirs for enteric organisms. Very little is known about the boundaries of microbial communities in moving bodies of water so this study was undertaken to find the limits of distribution of some bacteria, focusing on enteric organisms. The presence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Enterococcus spp. and the antimicrobial resistance phenotypes carried by these organisms was evaluated for the Upper Oconee River basin, a small river in the lower Piedmont of northeastern Georgia, USA. Samples were obtained from 83 sites during a 3-h period on a spring day (April 2005) in an approximately 30 × 20 km region. Campylobacter spp. was isolated at 12 sites. The Campylobacter isolates from three sites were resistant to tetracycline. Of the five short-variable region (SVR) subtypes of Campylobacter that were found, three were found at more than one site, two types were found twice, and one subtype was found three times. Enterococcus was isolated at 71 sites. E. casseliflavus was the most common species. Based on species identification and antimicrobial resistance patterns, 24 types of Enterococcus were found. Salmonella was isolated from 62 sites. Of the 19 Salmonella serovars that were isolated, serovar Muenchen accounted for about 20% of the isolates. The next three most common serovars isolated, Rubislaw, Hartford, and Give, accounted for about 44% of the river isolates. Antimicrobial resistance profiling offered limited differentiation of Salmonella isolates because only seven isolates were resistant to any antimicrobial. The sites at which Salmonella, Campylobacter, or Enterococcus were isolated did not correlate with each other or with the total coliform number or Escherichia coli count for the site. However, isolates of some of the same species and type occurred in clusters that were restricted to areas within 5 to 6 km.
Expression of cell surface lectins on activated human lymphoid cells

A cell surface lectin found on activated human lymphoid cells has been identified and characterized using membrane glycoprotein micelles as probes. These micelles, which are large, water-soluble aggregates, are composed of glycoproteins isolated from detergent-solubilized membranes of human B lymphoblastoid cell lines by Lens culinaris hemagglutinin affinity chromatography. The micelles have an average apparent molecular weight of 4 x 10(6) estimated by gel filtration and range in diameter from 25-100 nm. Micelles bind to B and T lymphoblastoid cell line cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes activated with concanavalin A or in a mixed lymphocyte response. Unactivated peripheral blood lymphocytes and red blood cells bind very low levels of the micelles. The binding is saturable, reversible, and temperature-dependent, with poor binding below 15 degrees C. Glycoproteins such as fetuin and porcine thyroglobulin, which contain complex oligosaccharide side chains, inhibit the binding, whereas glycoproteins containing only high mannose or simple serine-linked carbohydrate side chains do not. In addition, binding can be inhibited by complex asparagine-linked glycopeptides purified from pronase-digested fetuin, but not by the simple serine-linked glycopeptides. Membrane glycoprotein micelles are bound to the surface of the cells but are not internalized or degraded. The potential role of this cell surface lectin in lymphocyte function is discussed.
Depletion of Human Stratum Corneum Vitamin E: An Early and Sensitive In Vivo Marker of UV Induced Photo-Oxidation

As the outermost barrier of the body, the stratum corneum (SC) is frequently and directly exposed to a pro-oxidative environment, including ultraviolet solar radiation (UVR). Therefore, we hypothesized that the SC is susceptible to UVR induced depletion of vitamin E, the major lipophilic antioxidant. To test this, we investigated (i) the susceptibility of SC tocopherols to solar simulated UVR in hairless mice, (ii) the baseline levels and distribution patterns of tocopherols in human SC, and (iii) the impact of a suberythemogenic dose of solar simulated UVR on human SC tocopherols. SC tocopherol levels were measured by high performance liquid chromotography analysis of SC extracts from tape strippings. In murine SC, overall tocopherol concentrations were determined, whereas in human SC, 10 consecutive layers were analyzed for each individual. The results on SC tocopherols demonstrated (i) their concentration dependent depletion by solar simulated UVR in hairless mice; (ii) a gradient distribution within untreated human SC, with the lowest levels at the surface (α-tocopherol 6.5 ± 1.4 pmol per mg, and γ-tocopherol 2.2 ± 1.3 pmol per mg) and the highest levels in the deepest layers (α-tocopherol 76 ± 12 pmol per mg, and γ-tocopherol 7.9 ± 3.7 pmol per mg, n = 10; p
Reservoir competency of goats for Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

The susceptibility of goats to infection by Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum) strains Ap-Variant 1 and Ap-ha was assessed by infestation of goats with field-collected Ixodes scapularis (I. scapularis) ticks. Both strains were infectious in the goat model. These results demonstrate that goats can be used in a laboratory setting to propagate A. phagocytophilum. Transmission from an infected goat to a naive goat by I. scapularis tick feeding was used to demonstrate that goats are reservoir-competent for the Ap-Variant 1 strain.
Focused Ion Beam Fabrication of Sub-20nm Inter-Electrode Gaps for Room Temperature Operating Single Electron Transistor

Fabricating nanoelectrodes with a few nanometer inter-electrode gap laterally is a challenge with existing technologies. In this work, we present a simple method to fabricate electrode pairs with a sub-20 nm inter-electrode gaps using Focused Ion Beam (FIB) etching technology. Unlike previously reported methods, no internal or external modification in the Focused Ion Beam system is needed in this technique. An inter-electrode gap of 17 nm in a Cr electrode pair is successfully fabricated by optimizing the thickness of the Cr film. This fabrication technique is further applied to realize the source drain and gate electrodes with a targeted inter-electrode gap of 20 nm, for room temperature operating Single Electron Transistors.
Accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound in diagnosing and staging pancreatic carcinoma.

Background: The role of endosonography in diagnosing and staging pancreatic adenocarcinoma is evolving. The aim of this review is to present recently published material comparing th
Computers in non-school settings: implications for education

The development and spread of inexpensive microcomputers is posing major challenges for the current educational system, challenges based to a large extent on grassroots developments. While the potential for intensive use of computers has existed for a long time, the high price of computers and the continuing expense of maintaining communication with a remote central facility proved prohibitive in many cases, and almost always required some benefactor to support the project.
Atmospheric coarse particulate concentrations and dry deposition fluxes for ten metals in two urban environments

The atmospheric coarse particle concentrations of ten metals (Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Si and Zn) were measured with the Noll Rotary Impactor (NRI) in the Los Angeles Basin (Claremont) California, and in Chicago, Illinois. The dry deposition fluxes were also measured for the ten elements at the Chicago site. An evaluation of the data demonstrates that the coarse particle mass could be divided into two categories: (1) material that was primarily of crustal origin (Al, Ca, Fe and Si) and (2) material that was primarily of anthropogenic origin (Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn). The mass of crustal material varied between 15 and 50% of the total coarse particle mass, while the mass of anthropogenic material was <1%. The dry deposition fluxes for the crustal material were between 20 (Al) and 200 (Si) ng m−2 s−1 while the fluxes for the anthropogenic material were between 1 and 7 ng m−1 s−1 for Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn. The cadmium (Cd) flux averaged 0.02 ng m−2 s−1.
Time and Energy Complexity of Function Computation Over Networks

This paper considers the following network computation problem: n nodes are placed on a √n × √n grid, each node is connected to every other node within distance r(n) of itself, and it is assigned an arbitrary input bit. Nodes communicate with their neighbors and a designated sink node computes a function f of the input bits, where f is either the identity or a symmetric function. We first consider a model where links are interference and noise-free, suitable for modeling wired networks. Then, we consider a model suitable for wireless networks. Due to interference, only nodes which do not share neighbors are allowed to transmit simultaneously, and when a node transmits a bit, all of its neighbors receive an independent noisy copy of the bit. We present lower bounds on the minimum number of transmissions and on the minimum number of time slots required to compute f. We also describe efficient schemes that match both of these lower bounds up to a constant factor and are thus jointly (near) optimal with respect to the number of transmissions and the number of time slots required for computation. At the end of the paper, we extend results on symmetric functions to general network topologies, and obtain a corollary that answers an open question posed by El Gamal in 1987 regarding the computation of the parity function over ring and tree networks.
THE KINETICS OF TRYPSIN DIGESTION : III. THE COURSE OF THE REACTION WITH CONSTANT SUBSTRATE UNDER CONDITIONS CAUSING INACTIVATION OF THE ENZYME.

1. A study has been made of the rate of hydrolysis of concentrated gelatin solutions at a high temperature and with a large amount of trypsin. 2. Under these conditions the substrate concentration may be considered constant and the only variable is the decrease in the amount of trypsin owing to inactivation. 3. The theory based on the mass law predicts that under these conditions (a) the rate at any time will be proportional to the concentration of trypsin at that time; (b) the reaction should approximate a monomolecular one if the total hydrolysis observed is taken as the amount of substrate available; (c) that the velocity constant calculated in this way should agree with the constant for the decomposition of the enzyme and that it should be independent of the concentration of enzyme instead of proportional to it as is usually the case; and (d) that the total amount of substrate decomposed should be proportional to the amount of trypsin added at the beginning instead of independent of it. These results have been obtained experimentally.
Uptake and reaction kinetics of acetone, 2-butanone, 2,4-pentanedione, and acetaldehyde in sulfuric acid solutions.

This work presents a study of the uptake of acetone, 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone), 2,4-pentanedione, and acetaldehyde by sulfuric acid solutions with an aim at understanding the reactivity of c...
Simulation of Coupled Thermal/Fluid-Flow/Geomechanical Interactions in Fluid Injections

Production/injection induced geomechanical issues in petroleum operations have been gaining more and more emphasis recently. Realistic modeling, monitoring, and controlling of flow-induced stresses are essential (and also present challenge) to reservoir management. This paper presents a numerical 2D finite-difference model incorporating the complex thermal/fluid-flow/geomechanical interactions. Non-isothermal effect (e.g., a cold-water flooding) is emphasized. The paper describes (i) model development, (ii) model verification, (iii) simulation results, and (iv) practical implications and model limitations. Governing equations (heat flow, rock elastic deformation, and fluid flow) and the associated initial/boundary conditions are described. Control-volume-based numerical discretization/algorithm is outlined. Published analytical solutions are compared to verify the model. Effects of thermal and fluid-flow (pressurization) are isolated to show the relative importance of each mechanism. Compared to the conventional isothermal or thermal reservoir simulators, describing flow- and thermal-induced evolution/distribution of reservoir stresses is the unique feature of the presented simulator. Simulation results indicate that thermal-induced stresses can alter reservoir stress anisotropy (in both magnitude and direction). The principal implication is that alteration and reorientation of permeability anisotropy could occur by two potential stress mechanisms: (i) permeability reduction by pore-volume compressibility effect, and (ii) permeability enhancement by flood-induced fracturing. Future work is to study the impact of the altered permeability on the sweep and recovery of a flooding project.
BW1003C87 and NBQX but not CGS19755 reduce glutamate release and cerebral ischemic necrosis

This study examines the relationship between the concentration of extracellular glutamate released during 30 min of forebrain ischemia, and the subsequent development of ischemic neural necrosis, in the presence of three agents which act at distinct sites on the glutamatergic synapse: a presynaptic inhibitor of glutamate release (5-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)-2,4-diamino-pyramidine ethane sulphonate (BW1003C87)); a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist (cis-4-phosphonomethyl-2-piperidine carboxylic acid (CGS19755)); and a competitive AMPA receptor antagonist (2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(F)quinoxaline (NBQX)). Pretreatment with either BW1003C87 or NBQX markedly attenuated the peak concentration of extracellular glutamate and offered protection from post-ischemic neuronal necrosis in the CA1 hippocampus. In contrast, pretreatment with CGS19755 had no effect on extracellular glutamate release and did not protect CA1 hippocampal neurons from ischemic injury.
Software reliability — what is it?

Software has become a household necessity in today's world but little has been done to measure its reliability for the consumer. Since software failure has a different basis than hardware failure, existing reliability theory cannot be applied directly: a new software unique theory needs to be defined. Current software practice relies on software quality measures to describe software reliability but recent work has identified both theory and practice for appropriate software reliability analysis. This paper discusses: the need for software reliability analysis in order to more accurately describe system reliability, the shortcomings of current practice, and both the direction of new work in, and the future roles for, software reliability analysis.
Stress-strain Relation of Compressive Solka Floc Cakes

Abstract Many foods are processed by grinding, mashing, and mixing into slurry form. Frequently these materials are filtered, extruded, and molded. When these materials are stressed by compression or by filtering, the material structure deforms. When the material is washed by pumping a liquid through a cake the drag force of the moving liquid further deforms the material structure. The structural deformation results in an increased pressure drop and makes equipment design difficult. To improve predictability, a continuum theory is presented here with constitutive relations which characterize the compressive nature of the solid matrix. Experimental results are given here for an example application to cake filtration of cellulose fibers.
ANALYSIS OF BLOCKWISE SHRINKAGE WAVELET ESTIMATES VIA LOWER BOUNDS FOR NO-SIGNAL SETTING

A blockwise shrinkage is a popular procedure of adaptation that has allowed the statisticians to establish an impressive bouquet of asymptotic mathematical results and develop softwares for solving practical problems. Traditionally risks of the estimates are studied via upper bounds that imply sufficient conditions for a blockwise shrinkage procedure to be minimax. This article suggests to analyze the estimates via exact (non-asymptotic) lower bounds established for a no-signal setting. The approach complements the familiar minimax, Bayesian and numerical analysis, it allows to find necessary conditions for a procedure to attain desired rates, and it sheds a new light on popular choices of blocks and thresholds recommended in the literature. Mathematical results are complemented by a numerical study.