cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing usability through agility: Pair programming for a practice-oriented integration approach

In many of today's small companies and startups, software development teams consist of small number of developers who can sometimes perform the roles of designers as part of their tasks. This leads to development processes that may not give enough attention to the importance of UX/UI design for the product under development. Moreover, such small teams may lack the required organization skills that help them manage how they work together. As a result, such teams usually face problems with delivering the “right” product, as well as not being able to follow a sustainable development process. In a similar context, CS students in programming classes are facing almost the same problems of small teams in industry. To tackle these problems, many researchers and practitioners have proposed integrating practices from agile and UX design methods to help developers emphasize the UX requirements and be able to organize their work environment. Despite the differences in how they approach their goals, both agile and UX teams seek user satisfaction by providing working and usable software. In our research, we explore how such integration can be a good fit for both CS students and software developers. We begin by showing our proposed set of practices that can be directly applied by developers. We also show how we will proceed by focusing on Pair Programming (PP) as an agile practice that promotes a collaborative work environment, which we will study its impact on students who build user interfaces in a Mobile Software Development course. Using PP in a class sitting will help us evaluate how agile practices that emphasize collaborative workspaces work with UX design, as well as introducing an adaptive and collaborative teaching approach that can be used in CS programming labs.
Designing Three-Dimensional Transformation Optical Media Using Quasiconformal Coordinate Transformations

We introduce an approach to the design of three-dimensional transformation optical (TO) media based on a generalized quasiconformal mapping approach. The generalized quasiconformal TO (QCTO) approach enables the design of media that can, in principle, be broadband and low loss, while controlling the propagation of waves with arbitrary angles of incidence and polarization. We illustrate the method in the design of a three-dimensional carpet ground plane cloak and of a flattened Luneburg lens. Ray-trace studies provide a confirmation of the performance of the QCTO media, while also revealing the limited performance of index-only versions of these devices.
Kritik der Grundlagen

In den beiden vorangehenden Vortragen habe ich eine kurze Skizze von dem gegeben, was ich den Aufbau der neuen Wahrscheinlichkeitstheorie nenne. In der Zusammenfassung am Schlusse des zweiten Vortrages sind in acht Satzen die Hauptgesichtspunkte der Theorie ubersichtlich angefuhrt. Ware es etwa meine Aufgabe, einen vollstandigen Lehrgang zu entwickeln, so muste ich jest zeigen, wie sich durch schrittweise Zusammensetzung der vier Grundoperationen immer verwickeitere Ableitungen neuer Kollektivs aus gegebenen gewinnen lassen und wie anderseits alle Fragen, die man in der Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung zu behandeln pflegt, auf derartig zusammengeseste Operationen zuruckfuhren. Diese Aufgaben wurden uns aber in rein mathematische Auseinandersesungen hinuberleiten, fur die hier nicht der Plas ist. Ich mus den dafur Interessierten auf meine Vorlesungen uber Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung verweisen, die seit 1931 im Druck vorliegen.
Phase-only adaptive spatial transmit nulling

Adaptive phase-only transmit nulling was previously demonstrated using an eight-channel radar test bed. An error in the calibration software that left one of the transmit elements uncalibrated has since been corrected. New experimental results are presented that demonstrate improved performance relative to previous experiments. In this paper the Reiterative Uniform Weight Optimization (RUWO) algorithm, which utilizes the maximum signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR) framework in a reiterative fashion, is used to generate adaptive phase-only weights from received interference data. Additionally, this work investigates the impact of the bandwidth of the interference signal on the ability to adaptively produce spatial nulls using RUWO.
Tourism's regional development impacts: A comparative analysis of the Greek islands

Abstract This paper explores the conditions that determine tourism development and theorizes how these conditions lead to a variety of impacts on host communities. Thirty-eight Greek islands were statistically analyzed using secondary data and a smaller sample was studied in greater detail through a comparative case-study approach. While the quantity of tourism development was found to be subject to demand, its quality and integration with other sectors were associated with the size of the community. Tourism impacts were found to be beneficial in larger islands. In smaller islands with high tourist activity, while a reverse in declining demographic patterns has been observed, tourism was found to create unstable, short-term, and dualistic development. The paper concludes that factors such as the local institutional capacity to absorb development and the potential interaction of locals and tourists should be considered in the making of tourism policy.
Abstract 19298: Is the Seasonal Variation in Acute Aortic Dissection Occurrence Associated with Flu Activity?

Introduction: Numerous reports have described seasonal patterns of acute aortic dissection (AAD), but reasons for such patterns are unknown. Correlations between cardiovascular morbidity and seasonal influenza have also been described. Methods: We compared monthly admissions for AADs at our institution to the US seasonal influenza activity based on US Centers for Disease Control statistics over 13 years. Seasonal variation was modeled by autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) analysis, and multivariate effects of season and influenza activity on aortic dissection admissions were assessed by response surface regression. Results: From January 2001 to December 2013, we treated 869 patients with AAD (398 type A, 442 typical type B, 29 type B variants). Admissions for AAD were identified as highest during the months of November to March (high period-HP). For type A AAD, 3.1 cases per month were admitted during HP, compared to 2.1 cases per month for the remainder of the year (p Conclusion: Presentation of AAD to our center and seasonal influenza activity in the US were both elevated during the HP, and were significantly correlated. Type A AAD significantly correlated with season or flu activity while Type B did not. Seasonal flu vaccination among high risk patients may be appropriate
Gaming and Simulating Ethno-Political Conflicts

This chapter begins by describing a universally recurring socio-cultural “game” of inter-group competition for control of resources. It next describes efforts to author software agents able to play the game as real humans would - which suggests the ability to study alternative ways to influence them, observe PMESII effects, and potentially understand how best to alter the outcomes of potential conflict situations. These agents are unscripted, but use their decision making to react to events as they unfold and to plan out responses. For each agent, a software called PMFserv operates its perception and runs its physiology and personality/value system to determine fatigue and hunger, injuries and related stressors, grievances, tension buildup, impact of rumors and speech acts, emotions, and various collective and individual action decisions. The chapter wraps up with a correspondence test from a SE Asian ethnic conflict, the results of which indicate significant correlation between real and agentbased outcomes.
SDN security problems and solutions analysis

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) will revolutionize networks by decoupling the Data and Control Planes and therefore offering much more agility, flexibility and end-to-end control; and this is what is needed today by Cloud Computing. SDN benefits will allow both Enterprises and Cloud service providers to enhance their services and their user's experience.
Gender Differences in Trajectories of Physical Activity Among Older Americans With Diabetes

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to examine gender differences in engagement in physical activity over time among older U.S. adults with diabetes. Method: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we investigated physical activity between 2004 and 2010 among 1,857 adults aged 65 years and above with diabetes. Results: Less than half of adults were physically active at baseline. The probability of physical activity declined over the 6-year period, with no significant gender variation in the effect of time. Because the odds of physical activity were lower for women at baseline and the effect of time did not vary by gender, the trajectory of physical activity was less favorable for women than men. Discussion: The women in this cohort of older Americans started and remained less active than their male counterparts. Investigations covering a larger portion of the life course and those examining the impact of life events and transitions on physical activity among adults with diabetes ar...
The TRENDS Project: development of a methodology to reliably monitor the obesity epidemic in childhood

The TRENDS Project: development of a methodology to reliably monitor the obesity epidemic in childhood . Rudolf M.C.J., Levine R., Feltbower R., Connor A. & Robinson M. ( 2006 ) Archives of Disease in Childhood , 91 , 309 – 311 . Aims The government has set a target to halt the rise in childhood obesity in those aged under 11 years by 2010, but no system is in place to ascertain if this has been achieved. We aimed to develop a simple and reproducible methodology to monitor trends in childhood obesity. Methods A purposive sample of 10 primary schools and three secondary schools was selected. Children were measured with parental ‘opt out’ consent in reception class, year 4 and year 8 (aged 5, 9 and 13 years old respectively). Measurements were compared with those obtained locally in 1996–2001. Calculations were then performed to ascertain the sample size required to confidently identify a halt in the rise in obesity using three growth measures. Results A total of 999 children were measured with ascertainment of 95% in primary and 85% in secondary schools. The proportion of overweight and obese children aged 9 and 13 years old had increased since 1996–2001, although only 9-year-olds showed a significant rise. A general trend of an increase in obesity was observed with increasing age. Calculations showed that 1900–2400 children per age group are needed to detect a halt in the rise in obesity based on mean body mass index (BMI) standard deviation scores (SDS) by 2010 with 90% power, whereas 4200–10 500 children are needed for other measures. Conclusion We have developed a simple, cost-effective methodology for accurately measuring the epidemic and recommend the use of mean BMI SDS for demonstrating if a halt has been achieved.
Coupled isotopic and process‐based modeling of gaseous nitrogen losses from tropical rain forests

[1] Gaseous nitrogen (N) losses remove fixed N from the biosphere and play an important role in regulating Earth's climate system. Current techniques for measuring gaseous N fluxes are still limited, however, and many uncertainties remain. We used the natural isotopes of N, 15N/14N, to constrain process-based model (DAYCENT, the daily version of CENTURY) estimates of gaseous N emissions from terrestrial ecosystems. The isotope model considers two scenarios. In the first, soil 15N/14N is a linear function of a fraction of gaseous N losses. In the second, underexpression of denitrification's isotope effect is considered, and soil 15N/14N is determined by both the fraction of gaseous losses and the proportion of NO3− consumed locally by denitrification. We examined the coupled process- and isotope-based model along two Hawaiian rain forest gradients which span a range of tropical climates, soil biogeochemical ages, and ecosystem 15N/14N. Under most conditions (mean annual precipitation (MAP) <4050 mm), modeled soil 15N/14N ratios agreed well with measurements (r2 = 0.89), consistent with full expression of denitrification's isotope effect (scenario 1). In very wet sites (MAP ≥ 4050 mm), locally complete NO3− consumption appears to lower the isotopic expression of denitrification at ecosystem levels, resulting in soil 15N/14N ratios that approach those of the N inputs (i.e., scenario 2). Replacing modeled gaseous N emissions with field-based measures of oxidized N, gas fluxes (NOx + N2O) resulted in consistently lower estimates of soil 15N/14N ratios across the forests. This points to a missing gas N loss term (i.e., N2), inadequate coverage of spatial and temporal heterogeneity by empirical measures, or both. These results demonstrate the potential for soil N isotopes to constrain N gas fluxes at large geographic scales, providing a quantitative tracer of gaseous N emissions from land.
Carbon balance in a salt marsh: Interactions of diffusive export, tidal deposition and rainfall-caused erosion

Abstract Studies of the concentrations of particulate and dissolved organic carbon in the Duplin River, of the tidal exchange of POC and DOC in the marsh, of the standing stock and movement of Spartina alterniflora wrack in the Duplin, and of the removal of carbon from the surface of the marsh by rain were conducted at Sapelo Island, Georgia in order to test three hypotheses about export of carbon from the Duplin River watershed. We found that the gradients in POC and DOC concentrations are such that carbon is being transported down the Duplin River throughout the year, although in smaller quantities than previously believed. In contrast, almost all tidal exchanges within the marsh result in deposition of carbon. Most of this deposited carbon is subsequently eroded as a result of rain falling on the exposed marsh surface, and is washed back into the tidal creeks. This cycle of deposition and erosion is a possible mechanism keeping POC in the thin aerobic surface layer of the marsh, thus increasing its availability to detritivores and aerobic microbes. The standing stock of wrack is only a fraction of the S. alterniflora produced each year, and its export is a negligible term in the carbon balance equation.
Hedonic Prices, Property Values and Measuring Environmental Benefits: A Survey of the Issues

This paper provides a review of the theoretical basis and the assumptions required in order to use hedonic price equations derived from property value data to obtain measures of the prices and the inverse demand functions for environmental amenities such as air quality. It also includes a review and assessment of existing empirical applications of the technique to problems of air and water quality and urban noise.
Blends of a PPO–PS alloy with a liquid crystalline polymer

Blends of a PPO–PS alloy with a liquid crystalline polymer have been studied for their dynamic properties, rheology, mechanical properties, and morphology. This work is an extension of our previous work on PPO/LCP blends. The addition of the LCP to the PPO–PS alloy resulted in a marked reduction in the viscosity of the blends and increased processibility. The dynamic studies showed that the alloy is immiscible and incompatible with the LCP at all concentrations. The tensile properties of the blends showed a drastic increase with the increase in LCP concentration, thus indicating that the LCP acted as a reinforcing agent. The tensile strength, secant modulus, and impact strength of the PPO–PS/LCP blends were significantly higher than that of PPO/LCP blends. Morphology of the injection molded samples of the PPO–PS/LCP blends showed that the in situ formed fibrous LCP phase was preserved in the solidified form. A distinct skin–core morphology was also seen for the blends, particularly with low LCP concentrations. The improvement of the mechanical properties of the blends is attributed to these in situ fibers of LCP embedded in the PPO–PS matrix. The improvement in the properties of PPO–PS/LCP over PPO/LCP is also attributed to the addition of the PS which consolidates the matrix. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Endothelial expression of ICAM is stimulated by both laminar and turbulent flow

Abstract Hemodynamic forces such as shear stress play a role in atherosclerosis. Plaque localizes in vivo to areas exposed to turbulent flow, whereas areas exposed to laminar flow remain lesion-free. Cell adhesion molecules such as Intercellular Adhesion Molecule (ICAM) may play a role in plaque formation and are regulated by flow. Therefore we studied the differential effects of turbulent and laminar flow on ICAM expression. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were differentially seeded and exposed to laminar flow (parallel plate, 4 or 11 dyn/cm 2 ) or turbulent flow (orbital shaker, 210 rpm; center, 4 dyn/cm 2 ; periphery, 11 dyn/cm 2 ) for 6 h. ICAM expression was determined by FACS analysis. ICAM expression in endothelial cells was uniformly induced, whether in the center or periphery exposed to turbulent flow ( n = 6, P = 0.3163, paired t -test) or with exposure to laminar flow at either 4 or 11 dyn/cm 2 ( n = 3, P = 0.3734, paired t -test). Laminar and turbulent flow induce ICAM expression in endothelial cells; however, the degree of induction appears similar with both laminar and turbulent flow. These results suggest that the intracellular pathways stimulated within endothelial cells by exposure to laminar or turbulent flow are either similar or converge downstream. In addition, ICAM expression may be involved in phases of plaque formation that may not be regulated by flow.
HENRICKSONIA (ASTERACEAE‐COREOPSIDINAE), A NEWLY DISCOVERED GENUS WITH A PALEACEOUS PAPPUS FROM NORTH‐CENTRAL MEXICO

A B S T R A C T A new genus, Henricksonia, containing the single species H. mexicana, has been described from a locality in north-central Mexico. It is unique among the genera of the subtribe Coreopsidinae in possessing a pappus of well-developed scales such as frequently occurs in other subtribes of the Heliantheae. The discovery of four, previously uncollected, monotypic genera among several tribes of the Asteraceae from this region over the past several years suggests that the area is a primary center of diversification for this large family. COLLECTORS working in collaboration with Prof. M. C. Johnston continue to bring forward new novelties in the Asteraceae, one of the more notable being the genus described here, which is remarkable for its strikingly dimorphic achenes, those of the disc possessing a pappus of well-developed scales very similar to that found in other subtribes of the Heliantheae but heretofore not reported for the Coreopsidinae.
A new synthesis for terrestrial nitrogen inputs

Abstract. Nitrogen (N) inputs sustain many different aspects of local soil processes, their services, and their interactions with the broader Earth system. We present a new synthesis for terrestrial N inputs that explicitly considers both rock and atmospheric sources of N. We review evidence for state-factor regulation over biological fixation, deposition, and rock-weathering inputs from local to global scales and in transient vs. steady-state landscapes. Our investigation highlights strong organism and topographic (relief) controls over all three N input pathways, with the anthropogenic factor clearly important in rising N deposition rates. In addition, the climate, parent material, and time factors are shown to influence patterns of fixation and rock-weathering inputs of N in diverse soil systems. Data reanalysis suggests that weathering of N-rich parent material could resolve several known cases of "missing N inputs" in ecosystems, and demonstrates how the inclusion of rock N sources into modern concepts can lead to a richer understanding of spatial and temporal patterns of ecosystem N availability. For example, explicit consideration of rock N inputs into classic pedogenic models (e.g., the Walker and Syers model) yields a fundamentally different expectation from the standard case: weathering of N-rich parent material could enhance N availability and facilitate terrestrial succession in developmentally young sites even in the absence of N-fixing organisms. We conclude that a state-factor framework for N complements our growing understanding multiple-source controls on phosphorus and cation availability in Earth's soil, but with significant exceptions given the lack of an N fixation analogue in all other biogeochemical cycles. Rather, non-symmetrical feedbacks among input pathways in which high N inputs via deposition or rock-weathering sources have the potential to reduce biological fixation rates mark N as fundamentally different from other nutrients. The new synthesis for terrestrial N inputs provides a novel set of research issues and opportunities in the multidisciplinary Earth system sciences, with implications for patterns of N limitation, tectonic controls over biogeochemical cycling, and carbon–nutrient–climate interactions.
Alveolar progenitor and stem cells in lung development, renewal and cancer

Alveoli are gas-exchange sacs lined by squamous alveolar type (AT) 1 cells and cuboidal, surfactant-secreting AT2 cells. Classical studies suggested that AT1 arise from AT2 cells, but recent studies propose other sources. Here we use molecular markers, lineage tracing and clonal analysis to map alveolar progenitors throughout the mouse lifespan. We show that, during development, AT1 and AT2 cells arise directly from a bipotent progenitor, whereas after birth new AT1 cells derive from rare, self-renewing, long-lived, mature AT2 cells that produce slowly expanding clonal foci of alveolar renewal. This stem-cell function is broadly activated by AT1 injury, and AT2 self-renewal is selectively induced by EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) ligands in vitro and oncogenic Kras(G12D) in vivo, efficiently generating multifocal, clonal adenomas. Thus, there is a switch after birth, when AT2 cells function as stem cells that contribute to alveolar renewal, repair and cancer. We propose that local signals regulate AT2 stem-cell activity: a signal transduced by EGFR-KRAS controls self-renewal and is hijacked during oncogenesis, whereas another signal controls reprogramming to AT1 fate.
Pneumatic conveying characteristics of kentucky coal-limestone mixtures

Abstract The feasibility of pneumatically conveying limestone and 6:1 Kentucky coal-limestone mixtures has been demonstrated. Attrition of the particles was about 4% when conveyed through a 150-foot line while a decrease in average particle size of about 30% was observed when the material was conveyed through a 450-foot line. It is deduced that in a commercial fluidized bed combustor the feed conveying lines be not more than about 200 feet long and that the coal feed bunker be placed downstream of the limestone bunker as the coal was observed to break down much more than the limestone. In an atmospheric fluidized bed combustor where the freeboard or de-entrainment height is designed based on the terminal velocity of the average-sized particle, it is predicted that material which has been carried through 450 feet of feeder pipeline will yield about 33% more carryover of fines than would be observed with the unconveyed material. This excess carryover is reduced to 4% with material which has been coveyed only 150 feet.
Vilkovisky-DeWitt effective potential for Einstein gravity coupled to scalars.

The Vilkovisky-DeWitt one-loop effective potential is constructed for Einstein gravity coupled nonminimally to scalars, and is proved explicitly to be independent of gauge choice, for a class of covariant gauges. Explicit forms of the effective potential in three cases are given. The first two cases are used to show that the Vilkovisky-DeWitt formalism is not just a gauge-fixed version of the conventional one in general. The last case concerns the possibility of inducing Einstein gravity dynamically in a Brans-Dicke-type model.
Substance Use Among High School Students in Rural PennsyIvania

The purpose of this article is to describe alcohol and drug use in a sample of high school students from rural southwestern Pennsylvania. Results from rural adolescents are compared with a national longitudinal study, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The importance of the nurse's role in prevention and intervention with adolescent substance use is discussed.
Voice change surgery in the transsexual

Sexual reassignment surgery for individuals with gender identity confusion has been highly successful, especially in the male-to-female transformation. A troublesome problem for some of these individuals is the retention of their male voice. Although castration and estrogen therapy may produce minor elevations of pitch and the assumption of a falsetto voice produces a more typical but contrived female tone, the basic male anatomic structure of the larynx must be altered to effect a physiological transformation. In three transsexuals, an attempt was made to effect a more female tonal quality by shortening the vibrating length of the vocal folds. Through a laryngofissure, the anterior one third of each cord was denuded and the raw edges approximated. This produced an anterior web that successfully resulted in pitch elevation in all three cases.
An Evaluation of Municipal Solid Waste Composition Bias Sources.

ABSTRACT The University of Central Florida (UCF) was contracted by the Florida Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (FCSHWM) to develop a well-defined methodology for conducting municipal solid waste composition studies. This methodology must account for the statistical variations in waste composition, be economical and practical in implementation, and build on a consensus of waste management professionals. This paper identifies possible sources of bias in waste composition study results and provides guidance for future planning of local waste stream composition analysis. To accomplish this objective, a composition study was designed and implemented for Marion County, FL, in fall 1996. The potential sources of concern investigated in detail were sample weight and contamination. The methodology developed by UCF is statistically valid and if widely implemented would provide a better representation of the waste stream. Lack of contamination adjustment is a major contributor to error in the waste s...
A pilot study examining the safety and tolerability of valacyclovir in veterans with hepatitis C virus/herpes simplex virus type 2 coinfection.

Abstract Introduction We performed a pilot study examining the safety and tolerability of valacyclovir in veterans with herpes simplex virus type 2 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection. Methods We performed a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial in U.S. veterans with genotype 1 HCV/herpes simplex virus type 2 coinfection. Patients were randomized 1:1 in blocks of 10 to receive either 1 g twice-daily valacyclovir or matching placebo for 8 weeks followed by a 2-week washout phase with daily placebo. The alternate therapy (valacyclovir or placebo) was given for an additional 8-week period. Safety assessments were performed every 2 weeks. Changes in HCV RNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were estimated using linear mixed models (SAS Proc Mixed). Results Thirty patients were enrolled. Valacyclovir was not associated with toxicity or adverse events. ALT levels declined 6% to 10%; mean HCV RNA levels were reduced 24% (1.3 million IU/mL [0.21 log 10 IU/mL]) during the valacyclovir phase ( P = 0.08) with no carryover effect observed ( P = 0.21). Conclusions Valacyclovir 1 g twice daily showed no evidence of hepatotoxicity in U.S. veterans with hepatitis C. A modest reduction in serum levels of ALT and plasma levels of HCV RNA was observed.
Microscopy of Synapses of Non-Excised Frog Heart

SummaryThe synapses of beating, non-excised frog heart are amenable to microscopy with the vagi intact, and reveal a number of differences from the synapses of beating heart which has been excised. The terminals and end-feet of the vagi, and the ganglion cells on which they impinge, can be observed to pass through two stages of morphologic deterioration. The vagal effect can be produced until the second stage predominates in the preparation. Synaptic transmission from tetanization of the vagus is followed by visible changes in both the pre- and the postsynaptic structures.
Connection between continuous and discrete time quantum walks. From D-dimensional lattices to general graphs

I obtain the dynamics of the continuous time quantum walk on a d-dimensional lattice with periodic boundary conditions as an appropriate limit of the dynamics of the discrete time quantum walk on the same lattice. This extends the main result of [15] which proved this limit for the case of the quantum walk on the infinite line and the quantum cellular automaton proposed in [4]. By highlighting the main features of the limiting procedure, I then extend it to general regular graphs. For a given discrete time quantum walk on a graph, I single out the type of continuous dynamics (Hamiltonians) that can be obtained as a limit of the discrete time dynamics.
The Physical Effects of Intra-Drive Particulate Contamination on the Head-Disk Interface in Magnetic Hard Disk Drives

The physical damage at the Head-Disk Interface (HDI), caused by common ceramic particles found in the manufacturing environments of the heads and disks in hard magnetic disk drives, is reported. The need for this study arises from industry wide reliability problems due to particulate induced damage at the HDI. The intent of this study is to characterize the head/disk damage caused by I μm diamond, 1-2 μm TiC particles, 0.2-1 μm alumina particles, the alumina and TiC grains sintered to make Al-TiC (the slider body), and sputtered alumina. These particles were introduced to the HDI in over thirty disk drives. The drives were then made to perform magnetic recording and retrieval operations for known data sequences, with the resultant reading errors tabulated. After the functional testing, the drives were opened and resulting damage was examined with a number of surface characterization tools. This study confirms that the severity of problems with the read-back signal, caused by particle damage, has an inverse relationship with the magnetic track width. In addition, the harshness of physical damage to the HDI has a positive relationship with particle hardness. Finally, particle shape and size can be contributing factors in damaging the HDI.
Randomized controlled trial of prophylactic rifampin for peritoneal dialysis-related infections.

Staphylococcal infections are a major cause of catheter infections and peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients. Since catheter-related infections are associated with nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in this population, we studied the effect of intermittent rifampin, an antibiotic known to decrease S aureus nasal carriage, on catheter-related infections and peritonitis. We randomly assigned 64 patients to receive either rifampin 300 mg twice daily for 5 days every 3 months or no treatment. The rifampin-treated patients had a significant delay in time to first catheter-related infection (P
Planning perceptions and planning results

The need for planning in business organizations operating in today's complex environment is widely accepted. Implied is an assumption that planning improves performance. However, the empirical evidence for such a claim is thin. Since planning is an integral part of strategy formulation, the facts to confirm or refute an assumed connection between planning and performance invite attention. Our research focuses on new data from 61 companies which test this linkage and, in addition, reviews the conclusions of prior empirical studies.
Clinic-based study of family history of vascular risk factors and migraine.

The objective was to evaluate the presence of a positive family history (FH) of vascular risk factors between patients with migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO), and in chronic migraine (CM) compared to other headache types. As migraine patients are typically too young to have developed vascular events, studying older relatives of migraine patients may be a practical means of evaluating associations between vascular risk factors and migraine. A cross–sectional study of a clinicbased sample of adults with migraine headache was carried out at the University of Utah. Predictor variables comprised first or second degree relatives with stroke, hypertension, diabetes or hypercholesterolaemia. Outcome measures comprised diagnosis of MA, MO or CM according to the revised International Headache Society criteria. There was no significant difference in FH of vascular risk factors in MA compared to MO (adjusted OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.61–1.78). CM was associated with a decreased risk of FH of stroke (OR=0.11, 95% CI 0.02–0.87, p=0.036). There was no significant difference in FH of vascular risk factors in MA patients compared to MO. CM patients were more likely to have a negative FH of stroke compared to other headache types, suggesting that CM is likely a neuronal disease rather than a vascular one.
Taxol-induced neuropathy: short-term effects of local injection.

Taxol, a compound that enhances microtubule polymerization, was injected locally into the sciatic nerve of the rat and its effects examined by electron microscopy up to 21 days postinjection. The drug did not have a degenerative effect upon the P.N.S. but caused a slow accumulation of microtubules, first seen within Schwann cells and shortly thereafter, in axons. Within Schwann cells, microtubule aggregates evolved at the expense of rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and microtubule arrays were frequently encountered in relationship to smooth ER cisterns. Arrested mitoses were seen, there was no proliferation of Schwann cells and long stretches of axon were naked. Within axons, microtubules predominated over intermediate filaments and displayed a tendency to cluster around mitochondria. The lesion appeared to be focal and to be related to a local axonal stasis. These experiments provide yet another tool for the examination of Schwann cell-axon interactions.
Festivals and special events: making the investment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to motivate hospitality leaders and local festival and special event management to grow their events from simply local events to those that attract tourists and tourists' dollars to the community.Design/methodology/approach – Previous research is discussed but no new research is offered.Findings – This commentary challenges event managers to elevate their local events into attractors bringing tourists and tourist spending to the community.Practical implications – Festivals and special events should consider growing their events such that they attract new monies to the community, put heads in beds, and generate revenue for tourism providers and other merchants across the local economy. The article offers suggestions to tourism officials for the distribution of public support funding to help local festivals successfully grow their events.Originality/value – Readers will find the Charleston model discussed herein of value as they consider the politics of funding festiva...
Effect of polydispersity on liquid–liquid phase equilibrium

The effect of polydispersity on liquid–liquid phase equilibrium in systems containing polymer, solvent, and nonsolvent is investigated numerically in the Flory-Huggins approximation for several special cases. The resulting phase diagrams indicate that, except in the immediate vicinity of the critical region, the degree of swelling of a polymer precipitate phase with a given number-average molecular weight is essentially independent of polydispersity.
Lower bounds of quantum black-box complexity and degree of approximating polynomials by influence of Boolean variables

Abstract We prove that, to compute a total Boolean function f on N variables with bounded error probability, any quantum black-box algorithm has to query at least Ω(ρ f N)=Ω( S f ) times, where ρ f is the average influence of variables in f , and S f is the average sensitivity. It is interesting to contrast this result with the known lower bound of Ω( S f ) , where S f is the sensitivity. This lower bound is tight for some functions. We also show for any polynomial f that approximates f , deg ( f )=Ω(ρ f N)=Ω( S f ) . For some functions, this bound is better than the previously known lower bound of Ω( BS f ) , where BS f is the block sensitivity. Our technique may be of interest in itself: by applying Fourier analysis to functions mapping {0,1} N to unit vectors in a Hilbert space, we can write the state of the quantum computer at step t as ∑ s∈{0,1} N , |s|≤t φ s (−1) s·x , which is handy for lower bound analysis.
Fluid-interface templating of two-dimensional colloidal crystals

We present a method for fabricating close-packed two-dimensional colloidal crystals on a solid substrate via capillary forces mediated by the presence of a nearby oil–water interface. We demonstrate that the resulting crystals are soft and anneal defects rapidly, making this a facile and possibly scalable method of directed colloidal assembly.
Development of an iterative diffusion-transport method based on MICROX-2 cross section libraries

Abstract This paper introduces an innovative online cross section generation method, developed based on Iterative Diffusion-Transport (IDT) calculation to minimize the inconsistency and inaccuracy in determining physics parameters by feeding actual reactor core conditions into the cross section generation process. A two-dimensional (2-D) pin-by-pin lattice program, NEMA, was developed to generate assembly lattice parameters using the refined MICROX-2 cross section libraries and Nodal Expansion Method (NEM). The proposed method was verified against a 2-D miniature core (mini-core) benchmark problem. First, the few-group cross sections generated by NEMA were compared with those calculated by a Monte Carlo method code Serpent. Next, the analysis of a 2-D Light Water Reactor (LWR) mini-core benchmark problem was carried out by the nodal transport code DIF3D using few-group cross sections generated by NEMA, and the results were compared with those obtained from the Serpent full core calculation. Finally, the same benchmark problem was solved by the NEMA-DIF3D approach using the IDT coupling method. The computational benchmark calculations have shown that the homogenization technique implemented in NEMA is reliable when producing the few-group cross sections for the reactor core calculation. The IDT method also improves the eigenvalue and power distribution predictions.
The Histopathology of Pigmentary Dispersion Syndrome with Glaucoma

Iris tissue and trabecular meshwork, obtained at time of trabeculectomy, was studied using the light and electron microscope in a 54-year-old woman with pigmentary dispersion syndrome with glaucoma. The specific defect was a loss of the outer epithelial cells of the iris with marked thinning of the remaining outer layers so that the two-cell architecture of the iris epithelium was maintained. In addition, the radial muscle layer was increased in both number and size of muscle fiber. It would appear that the pigmentary dispersion syndrome may represent a congenital or developmental abnormality of the iris epithelium, or both, and that the glaucoma which occasionally occurs in conjunction with this syndrome is of the usual open-angle type.
Empirical values of the ground state energies for methane transitions between 5500 and 6150 cm −1

The strengths of more than 1600 lines of CH(4) have been measured in the spectral interval between 5500 and 6150 cm(-1) at room temperature and reduced temperatures. The variation of the measured strengths allows the energy of the lower state of the transition to be determined empirically using the temperature dependence of the methane partition function and the Boltzmann factor for the energy level populations. An error analysis, based on assumed errors in the strength and temperature measurements, is included. The average measured uncertainty in J is 0.2.
The effects of cholinergic and adrenergic blocking agents on the cardio-acceleratory activity in extracts from active and inactive cockroaches

Abstract 1. 1. Nervous tissue extracts were assayed on dibenamine and dichloroisopropylnoradrenaline blocked hearts. 2. 2. The cardio-acceleratory activity of all extracts was reduced to a similar extent by both of these agents. 3. 3. Nervous tissue extracts of both active and inactive cockroaches were assayed on dibenamine and atropine blocked hearts. 4. 4. The cardio-acceleratory activity of unblocked extracts of supra-oesophageal and thoracic ganglia from active animals varied significantly from that of inactive animals. Atropine blocked extracts from supra-oesophageal and suboesophageal ganglia, and dibenamine blocked extracts of all ganglia from active animals, varied significantly from those of inactive animals. 5. 5. The results seem to implicate both cholinergic and adrenergic substances in the mediation of motor activity.
Inhibition of restenosis by hyperbaric oxygen: a novel indication for an old modality.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT) is a safe and highly effective modality in the treatment of slow-healing wounds. It has been successfully employed in a variety of clinical conditions including nonhealing diabetic ulcers, chronic osteomyelitis, necrotizing fascitis, compartment syndromes, crush injuries and acute traumatic peripheral ischemia [1,2]. HOT has proven highly effective in the treatment of radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis, optic neuritis, decompression sickness, air embolism and CO intoxication [3,4]. Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) invariably create miniature wounds by the disruptive effects of the interventional hardware on the vessel wall, thereby triggering the humoro-cellular responses leading to restenosis. Restenosis accounts for nearly 150,000 PCIs performed annually in this country alone, placing a significant toll on health care resources. It stands to reason to postulate that early healing of these miniature wounds by HOT can decrease restenosis. In an ongoing randomized trial, we embarked to investigate the effect of HOT on restenosis. Our preliminary results have been encouraging [5,6]. The following constitutes our interim comparative findings.
Impact Echo Evaluation of Thin Walled Concrete Pipes

Concrete pipes are being effectively used to transport large quantities of fresh water and sewage over long distances. The deterioration of concrete in a pipe is a result of several degradation mechanisms that can lead to a shortened product life or loss of structural integrity. The integrity of these deteriorated pipes can be evaluated using nondestructive techniques such as the impact echo method. This paper presents the results of a study to evaluate the integrity of deteriorated thin walled concrete pipe with and without an epoxy coated liner. A methodology is developed to map the P-wave velocity throughout the pipe and to get qualitative information about surface opening cracks, honeycombing, and delaminations. The concrete to epoxy interface was also of interest. The pipes used in this study had a thickness varying from approximately 57 to 75 mm (2.24 to 2.95 in.). Impact echo tests were performed from both the outside and the inside of the pipe. The response obtained from impact echo tests on concrete pipes is more complex than for other concrete structures such as slabs because pipes are a bound structure. Therefore it is important to filter the strong low frequency peaks and optimize the frequency input from the impactor to detect the wall thickness, epoxy coating thickness and depth to any fault within the pipe wall. Research continues on various intact, damaged, epoxy coated and uncoated pipes. The experimental results to date are encouraging and the feasibility of evaluating the integrity of concrete pipe by scanning the pipe with impact echo is demonstrated.
Turbulent atmospheric plumes above line sources with an application to volcanic fissure eruptions on the terrestrial planets

The theory of turbulent plumes maintained above steady line sources of buoyancy is worked out in detail within the limitations of Taylor's entrainment assumption. It is applied to the structure of a pure plume injected into a stably stratified atmosphere. Volcanic basalt eruptions that develop from long, narrow vents create line source plumes, which rise well above the magmatic fire fountains playing near the ground level. The eruption of Laki in 1783 may provide an example of this style of eruption. Flood basalts are more ancient examples. Evidence of enormous fissure eruptions that occurred in the past on Mars and Venus also exists. Owing to the different properties of the atmospheres on these two planets from those on the earth, heights of line source plumes are expected to vary in the ratios 1:6:0.6 (earth:Mars:Venus). It is very unlikely that the observed increase of sulfur dioxide above the Venusian cloud deck in 1978 could have been due to a line source volcanic eruption, even if it had been a flood basalt eruption.
Impact of the more restrictive definition of atypical squamous cells introduced by the 2001 Bethesda System on the sensitivity and specificity of the Papanicolaou test: a 5-year follow-up study of Papanicolaou tests originally interpreted as ASCUS, reclassified according to Bethesda 2001 criteria.

BACKGROUND. The Bethesda 2001 (B2001) classification system raised the threshold for reporting atypical squamous cells. The category of Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS)-favor reactive has been eliminated with a recommendation for cytologists to judiciously downgrade those Papanicolaou (Pap) tests that would formerly have been in this category to Negative for Intraepithelial Lesion or Malignancy (NILM). The effect of this change on sensitivity and specificity of the Pap test is not yet known. METHODS. A total of 535 consecutive SurePath Pap tests interpreted as ASCUS during a period from March 1 through December 31, 2001, with follow-up polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-based human papilloma virus (HPV) testing, were independently reviewed by 3 pathologists and 1 cytotechnologist who reinterpreted these tests according to Bethesda 2001 criteria. Follow-up HPV and biopsy results were compiled for a 5-year period. RESULTS. By consensus of the 4 observers, 169 (32%) of the ASCUS cases were downgraded to NILM. These cases showed a lower rate of underlying high-risk HPV infection (11% vs 30%) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grades 2 to 3 (CIN 2/3) (5% vs 10%) on follow-up than those tests that were reinterpreted as ASCUS or higher. Nine women with follow-up CIN 2/3 would have had the Pap test interpreted as NILM instead of ASCUS under Bethesda 2001 (20% of all CIN 2/3 found). Individual reviewers downgraded 29% to 42% Pap tests to NILM including those of 5 to 10 women with follow-up CIN 2/3. CONCLUSIONS. The ASCUS threshold established by B2001 prevents a sizeable subset of women from having follow-up for ASC. However, as a consequence, a few women with CIN 2/3 are downgraded to NILM. The cost savings thus achieved must be weighed against the lost opportunities to detect CIN 2/3. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.