cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Remote Sensing of Cloud Optical Properties from Ground-Based Measurements of Transmittance: A Feasibility Study

Abstract The authors present a retrieval technique for the inference of cloud optical depth from data obtained by a ground-based multichannel radiometer for use in climate-related studies. The basic steps of the analysis procedure are considered, including accurate calculations of the atmosphere and cloud properties. An approach is described that uses observed and model-simulated transmittances rather than irradiances and that does not depend on an absolute calibration of the instrument. This approach, which specifically deals with the transmittances, also offers substantial computational advantages. The resulting algorithm is applied (but not limited) to the measurements of incoming solar irradiance by a particular ground-based instrument, the so-called Multi-Filter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer (MFRSR). Sample results of inferred cloud optical depth obtained from MFRSR measurements in Fairbanks, Alaska, are presented.
Microbial degradation of gum karaya.

Abstract Gum karaya (Sterculia urens gum) was degraded by a fungal isolate, a Cephalosporium sp. The patterns of carbohydrate utilization and enzyme secretion by the organism growing on the purified polysaccharide were determined, together with the ratio of neutral sugars present in the gum. Cephalosporium growth-studies indicate that the gum contains at least three different types of chains. One chain (50% of the total polysaccharide) is postulated to contain repeating units of four galacturonic acid residues containing β- D -galactose branches and having an L -rhamnose residue at the reducing end of the unit. A second chain (17% of the polysaccharide) contained 50% of galacturonic acid, 40% of rhamnose, and 10% of galactose by weight and is postulated to contain an oligorhamnan chain, containing D -galacturonic acid branch-residues, and interrupted occasionally by a D -galactose residue. D -Glucuronic acid is apparently confined to a third type of chain, comprising 33% of the polysaccharide.
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Prominent Lines

The prominent lines of 70 elements as emitted in an inductively coupled plasma excitation source have been identified. The lines are listed alphabetically by element and numerically by wavelength. Detection limit capabilities are estimated for each spectral line.
IMPACT OF TAX REFORM ON RENEWABLE ENERGY AND COGENERATION PROJECTS

Abstract This study examines the sensitivity of renewable energy and cogeneration project returns to proposed changes in the federal tax code, specifically to reforms proposed in 1985 by President Reagan. We examine six different technologies by defining typical configurations. Project cash flows are projected over a twelve year horizon, and the investor's internal rate of return (IRR) is calculated. We calculate changes in IRR as various proposed tax changes are assumed to take effect. We find that capital intensive projects, such as geothermal and small hydro, suffer most from proposed tax code changes. Conversely, the least capital intensive projects, cogeneration, fare best.
Variational Approach to the Quadrupole Polarizability of Ions

A variation method has been developed for treating the problem of polarization of electron shells of ions by external charges. The induced quadrupole moment has been calculated for a number of He-like ions and the two Ne-like ions ${\mathrm{Al}}^{+++}$ and ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$. For the former a shielding effect occurs, while for the latter a net antishielding effect is obtained in agreement with Sternheimer's conclusions. It is possible to compare the results of Sternheimer's numerical solution of the first-order Schr\"odinger equation with the variation method used here in the case of ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$. Agreement is reasonably good.
102ℏk large area atom interferometers.

We demonstrate atom interferometers utilizing a novel beam splitter based on sequential multiphoton Bragg diffractions. With this sequential Bragg large momentum transfer (SB-LMT) beam splitter, we achieve high contrast atom interferometers with momentum splittings of up to 102 photon recoil momenta ($102\ensuremath{\hbar}k$). To our knowledge, this is the highest momentum splitting achieved in any atom interferometer, advancing the state-of-the-art by an order of magnitude. We also demonstrate strong noise correlation between two simultaneous SB-LMT interferometers, which alleviates the need for ultralow noise lasers and ultrastable inertial environments in some future applications. Our method is intrinsically scalable and can be used to dramatically increase the sensitivity of atom interferometers in a wide range of applications, including inertial sensing, measuring the fine structure constant, and detecting gravitational waves.
Device scaling technologies for ultra-high-speed GaN-HEMTs

The high frequency performance of GaN-based HEMTs has been significantly improved through innovative device scaling technologies such as AlGaN [1] or InGaN back barriers [2], thin AlN top barriers [3], lattice-matched InAlN barriers [4], ultra-short gates [5], and self-aligned gates [6]. In this paper, we review our scaling technologies for ultra-high-speed operation of GaN-HEMTs [7–10], which provide not only high yield and uniformity but also a large-scale integration of E/D-mode HEMTs for future RF and mixed-signal applications.
Normal CFTR Inhibits Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Dependent Pro-Inflammatory Chemokine Production in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Mutations in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein cause cystic fibrosis, a disease characterized by exaggerated airway epithelial production of the neutrophil chemokine interleukin (IL)-8, which results in exuberant neutrophilic inflammation. Because activation of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling cascade induces airway epithelial IL-8 production, we hypothesized that normal CFTR suppresses EGFR-dependent IL-8 production and that loss of CFTR at the surface exaggerates IL-8 production via activation of a pro-inflammatory EGFR cascade. We examined this hypothesis in human airway epithelial (NCI-H292) cells and in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells containing normal CFTR treated with a CFTR-selective inhibitor (CFTR-172), and in human airway epithelial (IB3) cells containing mutant CFTR versus isogenic (C38) cells containing wild-type CFTR. In NCI-H292 cells, CFTR-172 induced IL-8 production EGFR-dependently. Pretreatment with an EGFR neutralizing antibody or the metalloprotease TACE inhibitor TAPI-1, or TACE siRNA knockdown prevented CFTR-172-induced EGFR phosphorylation (EGFR-P) and IL-8 production, implicating TACE-dependent EGFR pro-ligand cleavage in these responses. Pretreatment with neutralizing antibodies to IL-1R or to IL-1alpha, but not to IL-1beta, markedly suppressed CFTR-172-induced EGFR-P and IL-8 production, suggesting that binding of IL-1alpha to IL-1R stimulates a TACE-EGFR-IL-8 cascade. Similarly, in NHBE cells, CFTR-172 increased IL-8 production EGFR-, TACE-, and IL-1alpha/IL-1R-dependently. In IB3 cells, constitutive IL-8 production was markedly increased compared to C38 cells. EGFR-P was increased in IB3 cells compared to C38 cells, and exaggerated IL-8 production in the IB3 cells was EGFR-dependent. Activation of TACE and binding of IL-1alpha to IL-1R contributed to EGFR-P and IL-8 production in IB3 cells but not in C38 cells. Thus, we conclude that normal CFTR suppresses airway epithelial IL-8 production that occurs via a stimulatory EGFR cascade, and that loss of normal CFTR activity exaggerates IL-8 production via activation of a pro-inflammatory EGFR cascade.
The role for empirical research in management accounting

Abstract The dominant research methods in management accounting are a priori reasoning, deductive analysis from well-specified models, and controlled laboratory experiments. None of these methods puts researchers in the field attempting to understand how accounting information is developed or used in actual organizations. As a consequence, the vast majority of management accounting research papers are neither informed by data nor tested on data. A review of the literature on the process of scientific inquiry reveals that observation and description must be the starting points for scientific research. Observations are the building blocks for subsequent scientific activities, such as classification, measurement and theory building. Observations are also necessary for testing the generalizability and limits of any theory. Cost accounting and management control procedures function in complex organizational settings. Any empirical research method would need to capture this complexity. Field research methods, including case studies, field studies and field experiments or process tracing studies, provide an opportunity to study management accounting systems in their organizational context. Initially, case studies can provide the basis for a taxonomy of cost accounting and management control practices. Subsequently, field studies and process-tracing studies can lead to a more informed basis for modeling, theory-building, and hypothesis-formation activities, activities that today occur in the absence of data and observations. Finally, these empirical studies can be used to test the validity and limits of our theories. In a theory testing mode, empirical studies can not only test predictions on the existence of certain practices but also to confirm “how” and “why” these practices, or have not, been implemented. Therefore, empirical research methods provide a rich, but virtually untapped, research method for the study of management accounting phenomena.
Atomistic to Continuum Modeling of DNA Molecules

DNA molecules play significant roles in many biological processes. Those biologically important processes involving DNA are accompanied by deformations of the double helix. Thus the mechanics of DNA have created interest in recent years as a result of the possibility of investigating DNA at individual molecule level. In this chapter, we first provide literature review of various mathematical models and computational framework for describing mechanical behavior of DNA molecules at different length scales, including the statistical models, atomistic models, and continuum models. We then introduce the recent advances in multiscale modeling of DNA molecules based on wavelet projection coarse graining approach and its homogenization into a hyperelastic beam. We show that with proper projection of the DNA fine scale potential functions and characterization of elasticity constants based on the coarsened DNA molecules, a continuum model with intrinsic molecular properties can be constructed for effective modeling of fundamental mechanical behavior in DNA molecules.
DIRECT SURFACE STRUCTURE DETERMINATION WITH PHOTOELECTRON DIFFRACTION

Angle-resolved photoemission extended fine structure from adsorbate core levels yields complete, accurate surface structures without resort to trial-and-error comparisons to theory. Scattering peaks from individual substrate atoms were observed with use of $\mathrm{S}(1s)$ photoemission from $c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)\mathrm{S}/\mathrm{Ni}(001)$ and $p(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)\mathrm{S}/\mathrm{Cu}(001)$, along [011]. Fourfold-hollow site geometries were found for both systems, with interatomic distances of $R(\mathrm{S}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{N}\mathrm{i})=2.24(3)$ \AA{} and $R(\mathrm{S}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{u})=2.28(3)$ \AA{}.
Optical spectrum analyzer of a new design.

The interference between two optical fields with nonzero spectral linewidths forms multiple moving space-charge fields inside photoconductive semiconductors that contain deep-level donors and traps. The dc components of the photocurrents generated can be expressed in terms of a convolution of a function that is characteristic of the crystal and the signal optical power spectrum when the other optical field (local oscillator) has a negligible linewidth. This permits the recovery of the optical signal power spectrum.
Hyperexcitability following moderate hypoxia in hippocampal tissue slices.

Abstract The effects of moderate hypoxia on CA1 pyramidal cells were studied in submerged rat hippocampal tissue slices. Hyperexcitability developed during re-oxygenation following 30–45 min of hypoxia at 29 °C. During hypoxia a sustained increase in extracellular potassium was observed. The post-hypoxic hyperexcitability of CA1 neurons may be the result of their inability to fully recover intracellular potassium lost during oxygen deprivation.
High-dimensional topological insulators with quaternionic analytic Landau levels.

We study the three-dimensional topological insulators in the continuum by coupling spin-$1/2$ fermions to the Aharonov-Casher SU(2) gauge field. They exhibit flat Landau levels in which orbital angular momentum and spin are coupled with a fixed helicity. The three-dimensional lowest Landau level wave functions exhibit the quaternionic analyticity as a generalization of the complex analyticity of the two-dimensional case. Each Landau level contributes one branch of gapless helical Dirac modes to the surface spectra, whose topological properties belong to the ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ class. The flat Landau levels can be generalized to an arbitrary dimension. Interaction effects and experimental realizations are also studied.
Effect of the α3β1 integrin on the IL-1 stimulated activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in CACO-2 cells

Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) are capable of responding to IL-1 stimulation by producing a variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Recently, we have found that binding of the alpha3beta1 integrin may have a regulatory effect on IL-1 responses and intracellular signaling by suppressing cytokine secretion, mRNA expression and the downstream intracellular signaling events from IKK to NF-kappaB activation. In this study, we extend these findings by showing that treatment of the Caco-2 epithelial cells with a cross-linking anti-alpha3 integrin antibody resulted in a suppression in the levels of IL-1 induced AP-1 binding activity in nuclear extracts. Furthermore, suppressed levels of IL-1 induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and kinase activity were seen with the antibody treated cells. Cells cultured on purified laminin-5, the ligand for the alpha3beta1 integrin, did not show significantly elevated levels of JNK phosphorylation after IL-1 stimulation while cells cultured on fibronectin yielded significantly elevated levels of IL-1 induced JNK phosphorylation. These results indicate that binding of the alpha3beta1 integrin results in a suppression in the activation of the IL-1 induced intracellular signaling pathway from JNK to AP-1. This novel regulatory effect may be a potentially important mechanism to regulate IL-1 mediated responses by IEC.
A filtration assay for solubilized prolactin receptors using polyethyleneimine-treated membrane filters☆

Free 125I-labeled ovine prolactin can be separated from detergent-solubilized prolactin-receptor complex by filtration on triacetate membrane filters pretreated with polyethyleneimine. Up to 98% of the total 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate solubilized prolactin-receptor complexes from rat liver bound to polyethyleneimine-treated membranes. This simple and rapid technique can be used to quantitate solubilized prolactin-receptor complexes.
The oriental ideal in art and the art of economic man in the orient

A work of art is a product not only of the creative urge of an individual artist but also of the spirit of his time and place. And as such, art serves an important 'social' function as an exemplifier of humanistic ideals. An examination of this aspect of art, therefore, promises a fruitful line of inquiry for students of human behavior, including economists, who are interested in the interaction between individual behavior and social values.
Interplanetary Magnetic Field Polarity and the Size of Low-Pressure Troughs Near 180°W Longitude

The relationship between interplanetary magnetic field polarity and the area of low pressure (300 mbar) troughs near 180 deg W longitude is examined. For most of the winters from 1951 to 1973, the trough size, as indicated by the vorticity area index, is found to be significantly greater when the interplanetary magnetic field is directed away from the sun than when the field is directed towards the sun. This relationship is shown to hold for various combinations of winters and for most months within a winter, and be most pronounced at the time when polarity was determined. It is suggested that the phenomenon is caused by merging of interplanetary magnetic field lines, when polarity is directed away from the sun, with geomagnetic field lines in the Northern Hemisphere (where these measurements were made), allowing energetic particle fluxes to have access to the north polar region
THE IMPACT OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT

This paper extends the analysis of the conflict–trade relationship by introducing foreign direct investment (FDI). We present a formal model that shows why FDI can improve international relations. We then proceed to test the model empirically. Our empirical results show that foreign direct investment plays a similar role to trade in affecting international interactions. More specifically, we find that the flow of FDI has reduced the degree of international conflict and encouraged co‐operation between dyads during the period of the late 1980s and the decade of the 1990s. This is an especially important result since one of the main characteristics of globalization has been the reduction of barriers to international capital flows and, as a consequence, the amounts of capital flows have expanded enormously dwarfing those of trade flows. The policy implication of our finding is that further international co‐operation in reducing barriers to capital flows can promote a more peaceful world. † The authors would l...
A New Approach to Implementing High-Frequency Correlated Noise for Bipolar Transistor Compact Modeling

A new approach to implementing correlated high-frequency noise in bipolar junction transistor (BJT) large-signal compact models is developed by placing an RC -delayed noise current between the base and collector nodes. The approach reproduces the two stages of noise transport in a BJT, i.e., noise generation in the base and emitter and transportation through the collector-base junction space-charge region (CB SCR). The frequency dependence of the intrinsic noise sources due to the CB SCR is fully described with an accuracy value up to the second order of ω. As an example, the negative frequency dependence of Sic is correctly described for the first time. The approach is applicable to any large-signal compact model, and it is demonstrated using measurement data in both InGaP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) and SiGe HBTs.
Charge and color breaking minima in supersymmetric models

Abstract Supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model include complicated scalar sectors leading to the possible occurrence of non-standard minima along suitable directions in the field space. These minima usually break charge and/or color and their presence in the theory would require an explanation why the universe has settled in the standard electroweak symmetry breaking minimum. In this talk I illustrate the relevance of the charge and color breaking minima in the framework of the minimal supergravity model and a string motivated Hořava-Witten scenario.
Slow-wave propagation on MIS periodic coplanar waveguide

A metal-insulator-semiconductor periodic coplanar waveguide is described. The propagation constants and the characteristic impedances of each section are calculated by the spectral-domain method, and overall propagation characteristics are estimated by the theory of periodic structure. The line should be useful for monolithic microwave integrated circuits.
The equation of a variable transmission ratio for a mechanical system with fluctuating load

Abstract The dynamics of a slider-crank mechanism driven by a prime mover of a given torque-speed characteristic is considered. The differential equation for a variable transmission ratio device, which is required in order to maintain the crank rotational speed constant, is solved numerically.
Fabrication, metrology, and modeling of the space-based lidar telescope for SPARCLE

Over the past 7 years, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) through the Global Hydrology and Climate Center (GHCC) has been working; in collaboration with the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) Center for Applied Optics (CAO), and others; towards demonstrating a solid state coherent Doppler lidar instrument for space-based global measurement of atmospheric winds. The Space Readiness Coherent Lidar Experiment (SPARCLE) was selected by NASA's New Millennium Program to demonstrate the feasibility and technology readiness of space-based coherent wind lidar. The CAO was responsible for the design, development, integration, and testing of the SPARCLE optical system. Operating at 2-micron wavelength, SPARCLE system performance is dominated by the optical quality of the transmitter/receiver optical system. The stringent optical performance requirements coupled with the demanding physical and environmental constraints of a space-based instrument necessitate extensive characterization of the telescope optical performance that is critical to predicting the lidar system efficiency and operation in space. Individual components have been measured prior to assembly and compared to the designed specifications. Based on the individual components, the telescope design was optimized to produce a suitable telescope. Once the telescope is completed, it will be tested and evaluated and the data shall be used to anchor computer based models of the optical system. Commercial optical modeling codes were used to evaluate the performance of the telescope under a variety of anticipated on-orbit environments and will eventually be compared to environmental tests conducted in the course of qualifying the telescope for flight. Detailed analysis using the "as built" data will help to reduce uncertainties within the lidar system model and will increase the accuracy of the lidar performance predictions.
Laser diode array packages in silicon using V-Groove technology

A new family of laser diode packages has been developed using silicon V-groove technology. Different versions of the package that tradeoff simplicity and performance for applications requiring low duty factor and high peak power operation, or high duty factor and high average power operation, have been demonstrated.
Use of scanning Doppler velocimetry to monitor vascular changes during photodynamic therapy

We are investigating the use of Scanning Doppler Velocimetery to evaluate changes in tissue perfusion that occur during Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). In initial studies, this technique was used to assess changes in tissue perfusion in mice given PDT using Photofrin, Purlytin, or Lutrin. There was a rapid and complete loss of perfusion in both normal tissue and tumor in animals given PDT using Photofrin. Using Purlytin, there was immediate loss of perfusion at the tumor site. For PDT using Lutrin, there was a loss of perfusion in the tumor with relatively no change in the surrounding normal skin, confirming the high degree of selectivity of PDT with this photosensitizer. These reductions in perfusion were persistent through at least 24 h after PDT. As part of an open-label protocol for use of Photofrin for recurrent breast cancer, Scanning Doppler Imaging was performed on 3 cm square areas of tissue containing tumor. Patients were given 1 or 2 mg/kg Photofrin, 48 hours before light treatment. Light treatment was 100 J/cm 2 , delivered at a fluence rate of 25-150 mW/cm 2 . For tissues treated with the higher fluence rates, perfusion in the tumor area significantly decreased by the completion of PDT, indicating that reductions in blood flow to tumor had occurred. By two hours after treatment, increased perfusion could be observed in the normal tissues surrounding tumor, but not within the tumor area itself. Treatment at lower fluence rate produced a different reaction. Certain areas of tumor had reduced perfusion, while other areas were unaffected. These results hint that there are thresholds for vascular damage at different sites that can be exploited in PDT treatment.
Effects of Cognitive Style and Maintenance Strategies on Breast Self-Examination (BSE) Practice by African American Women

A convenience sample of 159 African American women, 18–45 years old, was trained to perform breast self-examination (BSE) and was categorized according to the participants' cognitive style (monitors/blunters). Participants were then randomly assigned to one of four groups differing in BSE maintenance strategy (self-management, positive reinforcement, both, or neither). Self-reported monthly compliance with BSE was subsequently assessed during a 9-month period. A significant interaction between maintenance strategies and cognitive style was found. For blunters, the highest compliance rates and the highest competency scores occurred in the group with no maintenance strategy, whereas for monitors, the highest compliance rates and competency scores were found in the groups receiving positive reinforcement and/or self-management strategies. Additional results indicate that high levels of BSE competency were achieved across conditions and that competency improved over time.
Partner aggression among men and women in substance use disorder treatment: Correlates of psychological and physical aggression and injury

This study examined intimate partner aggression in a sample of 489 participants enrolled in substance use disorder treatment, and expands on prior research by including measures of various forms of aggression, a mixed gender sample (76% men, 24% women), and measurement of several potential risk domains. Aggression measures included both participant-partner and partner-to-participant psychological aggression, physical aggression and injury. Analyses focused on the role of distal and proximal risk factors, including demographics, history of childhood physical and sexual abuse, and family history of problems with alcohol, drugs and depression, as well as recent substance use and symptoms of depression. Overall rates of participant-partner psychological aggression (77%), physical aggression (54%) and injuring partners (33%) were high, as were rates of partner-to-participant psychological aggression (73%), physical aggression (51%), and injury (33%). Several distal (family history variables, physical abuse) and proximal factors (binge drinking, several different drugs, depressive symptoms) were bivariately related to most of the aggression measures. However, according to multivariate analyses predicting aggression and injury measures, binge drinking and cocaine use were the drugs significantly associated with most measures, depression symptoms also were related to most aggression and injury measures, and a history of reported childhood physical abuse was related to all frequency of aggression and injury measures among those reporting such behaviors. Overall, the high rates of aggression among both men and women observed in this study further illustrate the need for interventions targeting substance use and aggression, and for further research regarding the inter-relationships among substance, aggression and depressive symptoms.
An integrated comprehensive occupational surveillance system for health care workers

Background Workers in the health care industry may be exposed to a variety of work-related stressors including infectious, chemical, and physical agents; ergonomic hazards; psychological hazards; and workplace violence. Many of these hazards lack surveillance systems to evaluate exposures and health outcomes. The development and implementation of a comprehensive surveillance system within the Duke University Health System (DUHS) that tracks occupational exposures and stressors as well as injuries and illnesses among a defined population of health care workers (HCWs) is presented. Methods Human resources job and work location data were used to define the DUHS population at risk. Outcomes and exposure data from existing occupational health and safety programs, health promotion programs, and employee health insurance claims, were linked with human resources data and de-identified to create the Duke Health and Safety Surveillance System (DHSSS). Results The surveillance system is described and four examples are presented demonstrating how the system has successfully been used to study consequences of work-related stress, hearing conservation program evaluation, risk factors for back pain and inflammation, and exposures to blood and body fluids (BBF). Conclusions Utilization of existing data, often collected for other purposes, can be successfully integrated and used for occupational health surveillance monitoring of HCWs. Use of the DHSSS for etiologic studies, benchmarking, and intervention program evaluation are discussed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:528–538, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Measuring Financial Integration: A New Data Set

This paper describes a newly constructed panel data set containing measures of de jure restrictions on cross-border financial transactions for 91 countries from 1995 to 2005. The new data set adds value to existing capital control indices by providing information at a more disaggregated level. This structure allows for the construction of various subindices, including those for individual asset categories, for inflows vs. outflows, and for residents vs. nonresidents. Disaggregations of this kind open up new ways to address questions of interest in the field of international finance. Some potential research avenues are outlined.
A test suite for exposing design and implementation details in petri net simulators

In this paper we deal with issues concerning design and implementation constraints of petri net simulators. We have discovered several interesting anomalies of specific simulators and the general inability of public domain petri net simulators to accommodate anything but the most simplistic models. Also, there are numerous design issues which have been addressed differently in different Petri Net Simulators. Hence, a user may expect behavior completely different from the one exhibited by the Simulator. In this paper, we try to address the above mentioned problem by presenting a test suite intended to evaluate the behavior of a petri net simulator. It is specifically designed to expose not only differences in the manner in which the design issues are addressed, but also limitations due to the implementation. We also present specific cases where this test suite has helped in pointing out the shortcomings of specific simulators. A logical conclusion to our work would be to bring about some level of standardization in the implementation of petri net simulators.
The use of some imitation flavors for masking distasteful drugs. IV. variations in concentrations of flavoring substances.

Abstract With quinine hydrochloride as the distasteful drug, an investigation was carried out to see if increasing the amount of such substances as salt, acid, and sugar over the normal quantities usually accepted would increase the disguising power of the syrups used. Doubling the flavor concentration, increasing the sugar content to approach that of simple syrup, adding salt to some flavored syrups and excess citric acid to others, and increasing the viscosity of the taste test solutions-all helped considerably in disguising the bitter taste of quinine hydrochloride. Both skimmed and homogenized mills were found to be better than water as the diluent for the taste‐test solutions. Homogenized milk was better than skimmed milk. Cacao syrup U. S. P., was found to be the best‐flavored syrup for masking the bitter taste of quinine. The other official syrups, cherry and raspberry, and the imitation flavored syrups, coconut, cream soda, butterscotch, and wild cherry, acid added, were found to be consistently high in disguising ability.
Impact of bivalirudin on in-hospital bleeding and six-month outcomes in octogenarians undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention†

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the impact of replacing heparin with bivalirudin in octogenarians undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on postprocedure hemorrhage and 6-month mortality. Background: Randomized trials comparing the antithrombin agent bivalirudin with heparin as the intraprocedural anticoagulant identify a reduction in periprocedural bleeding after PCI. Further, the occurrence of such bleeding seems to predict an increased risk of death or myocardial infarction both in-hospital and at long-term follow-up. Importantly, elderly people who are at the greatest risk of post-PCI bleeding complications are underrepresented in these randomized trials. Methods: From 2000 to 2007, 2,766 consecutive patients from our center who were ≥80 years of age underwent PCI with stent implantation and were included in this analysis. Bivalirudin was used in 1,207 (43.6%) patients and heparin in 1,559 (56.4%). We compared the rates of post-PCI bleeding complications and 6-month mortality. Results: The overall in-hospital bleeding and 6-month mortality rates were 4.6% and 11.8%, respectively. By multivariate logistic regression and after adjustment by propensity score analysis, bivalirudin was associated with a significant decrease in in-hospital bleedings (HR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.23–0.73, P = 0.003). By multivariate Cox analysis, bivalirudin was also associated with a significant decrease (HR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.4–0.9, P = 0.01) and in-hospital bleedings with a significant increase in the 6-month mortality (HR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.6–3.9, P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests an important subset for use of bivalirudin in lieu of heparin that will benefit the very elderly. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of simulated rain acidified with sulfuric acid on host-parasite interactions

Wind-blown rain, rain splash, and films of free moisture play important roles in the epidemiology of many plant diseases. The effects of simulated rain acidified with sulfuric acid were studied on several host-parasite systems. Plants were exposed in greenhouse or field to simulated rain of pH 3.2 ± 0.1 or pH 6.0 ± 0.2. Simulated ‘rain’ of pH 3.2 resulted in: (1) an 86% inhibition in telia production of Cronartium fusiforme on Quercus phellos; (2) a 66% inhibition of reproduction of Meloidogyne hapla on field-grown Phaseolus vulgaris; (3) a 10% decrease in the severity of Uromyces phaseoli on field-grown Phaseolus vulgaris; and (4) an inhibition of Rhizobium nodulation of Phaseolus vulgaris and Glycine max by an average of 73%. Effects on halo blight of kidney bean (caused by Pseudomonas phaseolicola) depended upon the segment of the disease cycle in which the ‘rain’ occurred: (a) simulated rain of pH 3.2 applied to plants before inoculation stimulated disease development; (b) suspension of inoculum in ‘rain’ of pH 3.2 decreased inoculum potential; and (c) ‘rain’ of pH 3.2 applied to plants after infection inhibited disease development. Scanning electron microscopy of epicuticular waxes on leaves of Quercus phellos and Phaseolus vulgaris showed marked erosion of those surfaces by ‘rain’ of pH 3.2, indicating possible influences on the structure and function of plant cuticles. These results suggest that the acidity of rain is a new parameter of environmental concern, and underline the need for study of the consequences of prolonged exposure of both agronomic and natural ecosystems to this stress factor.
Addressing Health Literacy and Numeracy to Improve Diabetes Education and Care

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing at staggering rates. In 2007 in the United States, estimates suggested that nearly 24 million individuals had diabetes, and another 57 million were at increased clinical risk of developing this chronic disease (i.e., pre-diabetes).1 Diabetes has consistently been among the top causes of morbidity and mortality among patients with chronic disease, and the costs associated with diabetes care place significant financial burden on our health care system.2,3 Additionally, care for patients with diabetes has remained suboptimal, particularly for racial and ethnic minorities, the poor, and the uninsured.4–7 As discussed in the previous articles in this From Research to Practice section (p. 216–237), potential barriers to the provision of optimal care and patients' execution of successful self-management may include low health literacy and numeracy. A growing body of evidence supports the association between limited health literacy and numeracy and poorer diabetes outcomes.8–12 Patients with diabetes and limited health literacy or numeracy are more likely to have poorer disease knowledge and symptom recognition,13,14 poorer glycemic control,8,10 greater difficulty interpreting food labels and estimating portion sizes,15,16 lower self-confidence in diabetes management (i.e., self-efficacy), fewer self-management behaviors,8,12 and poorer communication with thei providers.17 Analyses comparing the influence of low literacy and numeracy together on glycemic control suggest that numeracy is more closely related to glycemic control than literacy.8,11 The challenge in caring for patients with limited health literacy and numeracy is that deficits in these skills are not always intuitively obvious to providers and educators,18 and, if these skills are not specifically assessed, such deficits may go unrecognized. Some may argue that both patients and providers may become uncomfortable with providers' …
Studying Knowledge Management System Success in System Administration

Significant temporal and monetary costs are associated with the development and implementation of a knowledge management system (KMS). To justify this investment, it is important for organizations to measure the success of such systems. To help achieve this objective, this paper proposes a KMS success model, which is based on prior success models for information systems (IS) and KMS. This model extends previous models by investigating two modes of KMS use – knowledge sourcing and sharing. Additionally, individual impact is extended to include both merit (perceived usefulness) and worth (productivity) metrics. By also taking into account the effects of other knowledge sources, such as Google, email, and instant messaging, we are able to explore the contribution of KMS use. This research in progress proposes testing the model in the context of system administrators, technical experts who work in complex and dynamic environments.
Young Children's Preferences: Gender, Race, and Social Status

In this article, I consider how two aspects of society—social categories (in particular, gender and race) and social status—guide young children's preferences. Research on children's social categories reveals that gen- der-based social preferences emerge earlier than race- based preferences. Recent studies also show that children are attuned to social status, and the association of race with status differences could explain why race influences children's social preferences. I conclude with questions and suggestions for research.
Colorful success: Preschoolers’ use of perceptual color cues to solve a spatial reasoning problem

Abstract Spatial reasoning, a crucial skill for everyday actions, develops gradually during the first several years of childhood. Previous studies have shown that perceptual information and problem solving strategies are critical for successful spatial reasoning in young children. Here, we sought to link these two factors by examining children’s use of perceptual color cues and whether their use of such cues would lead to the acquisition of a general problem solving strategy. Forty-eight 3-year-olds were asked to predict the trajectory of a ball dropped into one of three intertwined tubes. Children who received additional perceptual cues in the form of distinctly colored tubes succeeded twice as often as those who did not receive the cues. A third group of children who received the additional cues on only the first half of the test trials succeeded while the cues were present but reverted to making errors once they were removed. These findings demonstrate that perceptual color cues provide preschoolers with answers to spatial reasoning problems but might not teach children a general strategy for solving the problem.
Group Learning: The Role of Environment.

Three central tenets of the group learning process are presented for facilitators and participants to consider as they engage in group learning.
Endocrine Therapy Trials of Aromatase Inhibitors for Breast Cancer in the Adjuvant and Prevention Settings

The recent past has witnessed the appearance of substantial data relating to endocrine therapy of breast cancer. In the adjuvant therapy setting in early breast cancer, several large, well-conducted, randomized, double-blind clinical trials have provided evidence for the value of the third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AI) anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole. The three major studies to date [i.e., Arimidex, tamoxifen alone, or in combination (ATAC), International Exemestane Study (IES), and letrozole after 5 years of tamoxifen (MA.17)] evaluated three different populations of women from the standpoints of duration of prior tamoxifen and thus time since the treatment of the primary breast cancer. A consistent pattern of improvement in disease-free survival was seen whether the control arm was tamoxifen (ATAC and IES) or placebo following tamoxifen (MA.17). From a toxicity standpoint, the major findings with the AIs were a decreased incidence of thromboembolic events and endometrial cancers but an increase in musculoskeletal complaints and potential for decreasing bone density. The last issue should be clarified with ongoing studies addressing the impact of the three AIs on bone density and fractures. In summary, based on ATAC, IES, and MA.17, respectively, the following conclusions can be drawn relating to postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive early breast cancer: anastrozole is a reasonable choice for initial endocrine adjuvant therapy, exemestane should be considered for women who have received 2 to 3 years of tamoxifen, and letrozole should be considered for those who have completed about 5 years of tamoxifen. In the prevention setting, tamoxifen has been evaluated in multiple trials involving >28,000 women and, despite clear evidence of benefit, the level of acceptance of this agent by women seems to be low. Two recently developed prevention trials, IBIS 2 and MAP.3, involve the study of aromatase inhibitors against a placebo control rather than tamoxifen. Whereas the recent adjuvant trials have established the value of the third-generation aromatase inhibitors in early-stage breast cancer, the marked reductions in contralateral breast cancers seen in these trials suggest they will be of value in the prevention setting in women at increased risk of developing the disease.
Molecular structure of Fe(III) 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18‐octaethyl‐5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrin perchlorate: a saddle‐shaped porphyrin with an intermediate S = 3/2 spin state

Recent crystallographic evidence of nonplanarity of several prosthetic groups in heme proteins has prompted the design of conformationally distorted synthetic porphyrins in order to assess the consequences of the nonplanarity observed in vivo. The crystal structure of the sterically crowded Fe(III) 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin perchlorate has been determined and shows the macrocycle to be saddle-shaped with a small degree of ruffling. The combination of severe nonplanarity and of the weak ligand-field counterion results in a nearly pure S = 3/2 intermediate spin state of the Fe(III) as evidenced by its electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum in frozen solution at low temperatures.
Recovery thresholds for ℓ 1 optimization in binary compressed sensing

Recently, [3], [7] theoretically analyzed the success of a polynomial l 1 optimization algorithm in solving an under-determined system of linear equations. In a large dimensional and statistical context [3], [7] proved that if the number of equations (measurements in the compressed sensing terminology) in the system is proportional to the length of the unknown vector then there is a sparsity (number of non-zero elements of the unknown vector) also proportional to the length of the unknown vector such that l 1 optimization succeeds in solving the system. In this paper, we consider the same problem while additionally assuming that all non-zero elements elements are equal to each other. We provide a performance analysis of a slightly modified l 1 optimization. As expected, the obtained recoverable sparsity proportionality constants improve on the equivalent ones that can be obtained if no information about the non-zero elements is available. In addition, we conducted a sequence of numerical experiments and observed that the obtained theoretical proportionality constants are in a solid agreement with the ones obtained experimentally.
Wrong Path Events: Exploiting Unusual and Illegal Program Behavior for Early Misprediction Detection and Recovery

Control and data speculation are widely used to improve processor performance. Correct speculation can reduce execution time, but incorrect speculation can lead to increased execution time and greater energy consumption. This paper proposes a mechanism to leverage unexpected program behavior, called wrong-path events, that occur during periods of incorrect speculation. A wrong-path event is an instance of illegal or unusual program behavior that is more likely to occur on the wrong path than on the correct path, such as a NULL pointer dereference. When a wrong-path event occurs, the processor can predict that it is on the wrong path and speculatively initiate misprediction recovery. The purpose of the proposed mechanism is to improve the effectiveness of speculative execution in a processor by helping to insure that the processor remain "on the correct path" throughout periods of speculative execution. We describe a set of wrong-path events which can be used as strong indicators of misprediction. We find that on average 5% of the mispredicted branches in the SPEC2000 integer benchmarks produce a wrong-path event an average of 51 cycles before the branch is executed. We show that once a wrong-path event occurs, it is possible to accurately predict which unresolved branch in the processor is mispredicted using a simple, novel prediction mechanism. We discuss the advantages and shortcomings of wrong-path events and propose new areas for future research.
Correspondences in the behavior of the electroretinogram and of the potentials evoked at the visual cortex.

Electrical potentials from the eye (ERG) and from the contralateral visual cortex were recorded in response to flashes of white and of colored light of various intensities and durations. The evoked potentials were found to parallel the behavior of the ERG in several significant respects. Selective changes in the ERG brought about by increasing the light intensity and by light adaptation led to parallel selective changes in the cortical responses. The dual waves (b1, b2) of the ERG were found to have counterparts in two cortical waves (c1, c2) which, in respect to changes in light intensity and to light adaptation, behaved analogously to the two retinal components. The responses evoked at high intensity showed only the diphasic c1-potential. As stimulus intensity was lowered the c1-wave decreased in magnitude and a delayed c2-component appeared. The c2-potential increased in amplitude as light intensity of the flash was further reduced. Eventually the c2-wave, too, decreased as stimulus reduction continued. There was no wave length specificity in regard to either the duplex b-waves or duplex cortical waves. Both appeared at all wave lengths from 454 mµ to 630 mµ. The two cortical waves evoked by brief flashes of colored light showed all the behavior to changes in stimulus intensity and to light adaptation that occurred with white light.