cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SRDP: Secure route discovery for dynamic source routing in MANETs

Abstract Routing is a critical function in multi-hop mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). A number of MANET-oriented routing protocols have been proposed, of which DSR is widely considered both the simplest and the most effective. At the same time, security in MANETs – especially, routing security – presents a number of new and interesting challenges. Many security techniques geared for MANETs have been developed, among which Ariadne is the flagship protocol for securing DSR. The focus of this work is on securing the route discovery process in DSR. Our goal is to explore a range of suitable cryptographic techniques with varying flavors of security, efficiency and robustness. The Ariadne approach (with TESLA), while very efficient, assumes loose time synchronization among MANET nodes and does not offer non-repudiation. If the former is not possible or the latter is desired, an alternative approach is necessary. To this end, we construct a secure route discovery protocol (SRDP) which allows the source to securely discover an authenticated route to the destination using either aggregated message authentication codes (MACs) or multi-signatures. Several concrete techniques are presented and their efficiency and security are compared and evaluated.
A comparison of two procedures for breaking the response-reinforcement contingency in discriminated barpress avoidance

Rats were conditioned to prevent shock in a standard discriminated barpress avoidance situation and then were extinguished by either of two procedures: (1) classical extinction (CE), or (2) a nondifferential punishment procedure (OE). Results indicated faster extinction and lower terminal response levels with the CE procedure. An interpretation was offered implicating, as an important factor, the number of discriminative cues present during the extinction series.
Choosing Discovery: A Literature Review on the Selection and Evaluation of Discovery Layers

Within the next few years, traditional online public access catalogs will be replaced by more robust and interconnected discovery layers that can serve as primary public interfaces to simultaneously search many separate collections of resources. Librarians have envisioned this type of discovery tool since the 1980s, and research shows that discovery layer functionality and features have already resolved, or will soon remedy, many of the known issues with the traditional online public access catalog. The authors of this article review the literature on discovery, focusing on the evolution from the traditional online public access catalog to newer discovery interfaces, and summarize what has been published regarding the selection and evaluation of these new tools. Based on this review, emerging trends in the acquisition of discovery layers are described, including: the amount of time libraries devote to selection and evaluation, the staff involved and their areas of expertise, which discovery tools were sel...
Lack of gender and racial differences in surgery and mortality in hospitalized medicare beneficiaries with bleeding peptic ulcer

Objective Determine the relation of race and gender to outcome from bleeding peptic ulcer.
Spectral dependence of transient photocurrent quantum efficiency in amorphous arsenic triselenide

Abstract The relative magnitude of the quantum efficiency for photogeneration of mobile carriers in a-As 2 Se 3 is measured using transient photocurrent. The quantum efficiency is quite constant for photon energies above 1.4eV, but falls approximately exponentially with decreasing photon energy for lower energies.
The influence of solution‐state conditions and stirring rate on the assembly of poly(acrylic acid)‐containing amphiphilic triblock copolymers with multi‐amines

In the effort towards making nanoscale objects and assemblies feasible for use as functional materials, it is imperative to obtain control over the fundamental architectures and essential to understand what experimental conditions cause the manifestation of specific morphologies. A number of factors are known to influence the shape during the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers in solution, including solvent composition, polymer length, hydrophobicity versus hydrophilicity, as well as the addition of additives that can interact with segments of the block copolymers. This research, focused on developing an understanding of the micellar architectures accessed by the amphiphilic triblock copolymer of acrylic acid, methyl acrylate, and styrene, PAA85-b-PMA40-b-PS35, as a function of the stirring rate, together with other factors, when undergoing coassembly with ethylenediamine or diethylenetriamine in water/tetrahydrofuran solutions. The work demonstrates that the rate at which the polymer solution was stirred impacts the shape of the solution-state assemblies formed by the triblock copolymer. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Recognition, signalling and reduced aggression between former mates in a stomatopod

Abstract Gonodactylid stomatopods use chemical cues to identify other individuals with which they have previously fought. Using cohabitating pairs of Gonodactylus bredini, it was shown in the laboratory that after a female spawns and her mate leaves the breeding chamber, he is less likely to attempt to evict her from a cavity than he is other brooding females. Similarly, a female is less likely to escalate the defence of her cavity against her former mate than she is against a strange male. Inhibition of attacks on former mates persists for at least 2 weeks, demonstrating that under some circumstances, stomatopods are capable of remembering other individuals for at least that long. Females brood their eggs and larvae for 4 weeks and constrained aggression between former mates lessens the chance that a female will be evicted by her former mate and their eggs destroyed. Female residents use two patterns of maxilliped behaviour to facilitate chemical communication with intruders. These acts generate water currents near the cavity entrance and most likely serve to provide the male with information concerning the identity of the female and her readiness to mate.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole in Murine Toxoplasmosis

The combination trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole had no greater activity in a murine model of toxoplasmosis than did sulfamethoxazole alone.
Some Economic Aspects of Agricultural Regulation and Stabilization

OT LONG AGO it seemed widely agreed that the policy problem facing U. S. agriculture contained two major parts. One was the income problem of poverty-ridden, non-commerical, small farmers and low-income rural people who depend on agricultural employment. The other part was the price and income problem of commercial farmers who supply the bulk of the nation's output of food and fiber. Perhaps the most prestigious statement of this two-part view was contained in the 1967 report of the National Advisory Commission on Food and Fiber [14]. There seemed to be virtually complete agreement that no amount of tinkering with commodity programs and prices could fix rural poverty problems in general or the income problems of too-small farmers in particular. Thus, the success or failure of traditional farm policy really hinged upon its ability to deal with commercial farm price, production, and income problems. Most observers in the middle 1960s would have added that the success of commercial farm policy also should be gauged by how well the requirements of foreign markets and the needs of domestic consumers are met. The National Commission on Food and Fiber was unanimous in its support of a "market-oriented" pricing structure for most commodities affected by agricultural programs. But it was sharply divided on the issue of publicly-held commodity inventories for price or market stabilization purposes. It is fair to say that the Commission members, and most farm policy interests, wanted some stability as well as support for farm incomes and were willing to sanction farm price supports and direct payments to achieve it. The disagreement was between the majority who favored seeking market price stabilization via public inventory management and the minority who did not. It is to the quest for market stability in agriculture that this paper is directed. In this discussion, stabilization as a policy goal will refer to conscious public efforts to decrease or regulate the fluctuation of prices, market volume, or income around long run, open market trends. Questions of net subsidization or net taxation of agriculture are not emphasized here. This may 'be something of an artificial distinction in any real policy context, but it is analytically helpful to ad pt it. First, some discussion of market stabilization in its current policy context is presented. Then some rough empirical measures of the chang s in stability are advanced. Finally, an analytical picture of market stabilization via reserve stocks and export regulation is developed.
Preparation and characterization of TiO2 films by a novel spray pyrolysis method

Abstract Films of anatase were prepared on silicon and silica supports by ultrasonic nebulization of an ethanol solution of titanium acetylacetonate followed by pyrolysis and annealing in oxygen at 380°C. The transformation to rutile occurred in the temperature range 800–950°C without degradation of the film quality. TiO 2 films could be slightly reduced to TiO 2−x at 500°C in an atmosphere of pure hydrogen and further reduction, giving increased conductivity, occurs at elevated temperature. These films were comparable in quality to those prepared by more elaborate techniques.
Film coating technologies and adhesion

Abstract Solid Polymer Electrolyte (SPE) films must be formed in a reproducible, controlled manner in order to construct devices which take advantage of their unique properties. Film coating processes that yield reproducible thin films will be reviewed vis-a-vis the device requirements (eg thin film lithium batteries) of SPE films. Solution characteristics important for film coating processes will be presented and process control parameters outlined. Film defects and their control in processing are major problems which must be addressed in the choice of materials and coating process for thin film applications. Proper processing of SPE films will be a key to their utilization, and the criteria for correct choice of a coating process for this type of film will be examined. A further key to the proper utilization of SPE film will be their wetting and adhesion to device substrates, ie lithium, in the case of thin film batteries. Poly(ethylene oxide) SPE films may have advantages in this respect if their adhesion behavior is analogous to that of PEO-based polymers used in the protective organic coatings.
Pseudocyst management: Endoscopic drainage and other emerging techniques

Pseudocyst formation is a well known complication of pancreatitis. Not all pancreatic pseudocysts require intervention. Selected patients who are asymptomatic can be subject to expectant management. Spontaneous resolution has been shown to occur in 40% to 50% of patients with no serious complications occurring during the observation period. Intervention is warranted if the patient is symptomatic, there is a progressive increase in size or if the pseudocyst is infected. Surgery was the only available treatment for pseudocysts for a long time. Of late other modalities like percutaneous, endoscopic, and laparoscopic drainage have come to be seen as viable alternatives.
Synthesis and Molecular Structure of an Orthometalated Aminogallane, [MeGaN(CH2C6H4)(CH2Ph)]2

Monitoring the thermolysis reaction of Me3Ga with HN(CH2Ph)2 in toluene with multinuclear NMR spectroscopy indicates the initial formation of [Me2GaN(CH2Ph)2]2 via 1,2-elimination of CH4 followed by additional 1,2-elimination steps that give the orthometalated gallium dimer [MeGaN(CH2C6H4)(CH2Ph)]2 in 65% yield. This is the first reported example of orthometalation of an aromatic ring carbon by gallium. Because [MeGaN(CH2C6H4)(CH2Ph)]2 forms prior to the complete conversion of (PhCH2)2NH·GaMe3 to [Me2GaN(CH2Ph)2]2, thermolysis of a Me3Ga/HN(CH2Ph)2 mixture is not a viable route to [Me2GaN(CH2Ph)2]2. Instead it was prepared by a salt elimination reaction. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis establishes the dimeric nature of the orthometalated compound and indicates a structure that is consistent with the NMR chemical shift assignements obtained using both 1-D and 2-D NMR techniques.
Expression of insulin receptors during preadipocyte differentiation.

Abstract 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, cloned from mouse embryo 3T3 fibroblasts, differentiate in monolayer culture into cells with morphological and biochemical characteristics of adipocytes. Differentiation-linked changes in 125 I-insulin binding to 3T3-L1 cells were monitored and compared with those in non-differentiating 3T3-C2 controls treated similarly. In the absence of the appropriate inducing agents, e.g. insulin, methylisobutylxanthine and dexamethasone, 3T3-L1 cells fail to express the adipocyte phenotype while maintaining a level of 25,000–35,000 insulin binding sites per cell. Induction of 3T3-L1 cells with insulin present results in an initial suppression of insulin binding followed by a 12-fold increase which parallels the appearance of differentiated cells. A maximum of 170,000 insulin binding sites per cell is attained for a population in which >75% of the cells have differentiated. The rise of insulin receptor level appears to be differentiation-dependent and is not a general response of cells to the culture conditions. 3T3-C2 cells maintained in the presence of insulin for 30 days exhibit the undifferentiated phenotype and suppressed levels of insulin binding (35,000 sites per cell). The binding capacity of 3T3-L1 cells for epidermal growth factor remains unchanged between 25,000 to 40,000 sites per cell, and is independent of the state of differentiation. Thus, induction by insulin of differentiation-linked expression in 3T3-L1 cells results in receptor specific changes. Insulin receptors rise in number, while epidermal growth factor receptors remain constant. A density-shift method is described for analysing insulin receptor synthesis and turnover in cultured cells labeled with heavy ( 2 H, 13 C and 15 N) amino acids. Solubilized newly-synthesized “heavy” and old “light” receptors are separated by isopycnic banding on cesium chloride gradients and are then quantitated. Insulin receptor synthesis and turnover was studied by this technique in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes which undergo an increase in insulin binding capacity during differentiation. The results indicate that the rise in insulin binding capacity results from new receptor synthesis, that the insulin receptor has a relatively short half-life of 6.7 hr, and that an increased rate of receptor synthesis contributes to the elevation of insulin receptor level during differentiation.
Electro-impulse de-icing of a turbofan engine inlet

The application of electromagnetic impulse deicing (EIDI) systems to turbofan engine inlets on business aircraft has been investigated experimentally. The tests were performed in the Icing Research Tunnel at NASA's Lewis Research Center. The deicing system testbed was a Falcon Fanjet 20 engine nacelle. The effectiveness of various deicing coil configurations and mount designs were compared, and design parameters were developed specifically for EIDI systems in turbofan engines. Flight tests were also carried out at altitudes in the range 3000-6000 ft corresponding to a temperature range of -3 to -8 C. It is shown that the ice particles removed from the engine inlet by the deicing system were small enough for the engine to ingest. Tentative design specifications are given with respect to the optimum coil configuration, and operating power of a EIDI production candidate.
Vascular serotonin receptors and blood pressure regulation

In most vascular beds, receptors mediating contraction to serotonin are of the 5HT2 type (defined by [3H]-spiperone binding in brain tissue). Research on vascular serotonin receptors has been prompted by the development of ketanserin, a potent 5HT2-receptor antagonist. Recent data suggest that ketanserin also possesses α-receptor antagonist activity and that this property accounts for its antihypertensive activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The multiple blocking activities of ketanserin have prompted a search for more selective 5HT2-receptor antagonists to elucidate the role of vascular serotonin receptors in blood pressure regulation. Consequently, 1-(1-naphthyl)piperazine (1-NP) and LY53857, an ergoline derivative, have been identified as potent and highly selective 5HT2-receptor antagonists in vascular tissue. 1-(1-napthyl)piperazine and LY53857 show approximately 2,000- and 300,000-fold greater affinity, respectively, for 5HT2-receptors than for α-receptors compared to a 60-fold selectivity of ketanserin. However, neither 1-NP nor LY53857 lowered blood pressure in the SHR in doses that markedly shifted the pressor response to serotonin but did not antagonize α-adrenergic receptors. Furthermore, blood pressure reduction in the SHR correlated poorly with the ability of several “5HT2-receptor antagonists” to bind to 5HT2-receptors and correlated extremely well with the binding of these agents to α-receptors. Thus, in SHR, 1) antihypertensive activity of ketanserin occurred in doses that block α-receptors and not at lower doses that block serotonin receptors, 2) more specific serotonin antagonists that did not block α-receptors in vivo did not lower blood pressure, and 3) the reduction in blood pressure produced by a series of serotonin receptor antagonists correlated with their ability to block α-receptors but not 5HT2-receptors.
Immunity to chronic myelogenous leukemia

Given the high rate of cytogenetic responses to imatinib mesylate in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), logical future treatment strategies will include combinations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapies such as vaccines. Increased understanding of highly specific immune responses will lead to novel and improved immunotherapy strategies for CML patients. Such advances can be expected to revolutionize the field much in the same way that imatinib mesylate and other targeted small molecules-have revolutionized our conception of traditional chemotherapy. This article begins with a brief discussion of why CML may represent a model disease for immunotherapy-based strategies. Laboratory evidence of the immunoresponsiveness of CML is discussed and used to highlight the principles for understanding tumor immunity. Finally, the authors discuss how advances in the understanding of the molecular and cellular nature of immunity are being translated into new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of CML.
Sun Airlines, Inc.: Financial Reporting of Point and Loyalty Programs

This case presents a multifaceted, decision‐oriented context to assess the appropriateness of accounting policy for ensuring a faithful representation of underlying economic reality. It will enhance your: (1) appreciation for the role of judgment in accounting decision making, (2) identification of the appropriate sources of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and their authoritative status, (3) understanding and application of the technical literature, and (4) evaluation of accounting policy in the context of an entity's business strategy and potential reactions of capital market participants. The case serves as a basis for developing the functional, personal, and broad business perspective competencies identified as desirable by the AICPA (1999) for entry‐level professionals.
Elevated Plasma Concentrations of α1-Acid Glycoprotein, a Putative Endogenous Inhibitor of the Tritiated Imipramine Binding Site, in Depressed Patients

• The plasma concentration of α1-acid glycoprotein, a putative endogenous inhibitor of the site labeled by tritiated imipramine, was measured by a radial immunodiffusion assay in 36 normal human volunteers and 51 drug-free patients who fulfilled DSM-III criteria for major depression. The depressed patients exhibited a significant elevation in the plasma concentration (±SEM) of α1-acid glycoprotein (79.6±4 mg/dL) when compared with the age- and sex-matched controls (61.7 ±3 mg/dL). Fourteen of the 51 patients with major depression had plasma α1-acid glycoprotein concentrations that were higher than the highest values of the normal controls. There was no relationship between plasma α1-acid glycoprotein concentrations and sex or affinity of platelet tritiated imipramine binding of either the normal volunteers or the depressed patients. In the depressed patients, there was a significant positive correlation between plasma concentrations of α1-acid glycoprotein and postdexamethasone plasma cortisol concentrations, and two measures of depression severity, the Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale for Depression and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale, and a significant negative correlation with age. These data provide the first evidence of alterations of an endogenous inhibitor of the tritiated imipramine binding site/serotonin transporter in depressed patients.
Mammographic Breast Density and the Gail Model for Breast Cancer Risk Prediction in a Screening Population

Background. Estimating an individual woman’s absolute risk for breast cancer is essential for decision making about screening and preventive recommendations. Although the current standard, the Gail model, is well calibrated in populations, it performs poorly for individuals. Mammographic breast density (BD) may improve the predictive accuracy of the Gail model.
Alcohol-induced inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine from brain is related to lipophilicity.

Abstract A series of short chain alkanols were studied for their effects on N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA)-evoked release [ 3 H]norepinephrine (NE) from slices of cortex of the rat. Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n -propanol, n-butanol and isoamyl alcohol inhibited NMDA-stimulated release of [ 3 H]NE in a concentration-dependent manner, while having no effect on non-stimulated release of [ 3 H]NE. The inhibitory potencies of the alkanols varied with the shorter chain alkanols, such as methanol, being less potent than the longer chain alkanols, such as isoamyl alcohol. Direct comparison of the effects of 100 mM methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n -propanol and n -butanol indicated that increasing the chain length led to a greater efficacy for producing inhibition of NMDA-stimulated release of [ 3 H]NE. A plot of the log IC 50 values, versus the log of the membrane/buffer partition coefficients for the various alkanols was linear, indicating that lipophilicity played some role in the inhibitory effect. The alkanols did not significantly depress the release of [ 3 H]NE stimulated by 25 mM KCl, in the presence of 300 μM 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP-5), suggesting that the alkanols have a selective effect at the NMDA receptor, as opposed to altering the release of neurotransmitter at the nerve terminal. The inhibitory effects of the alcohols were reversible, which suggests that the alcohols were not causing non-specific toxic effects on the slices. It is concluded that the inhibitory effect of ethanol and related short chain alkanols on NMDA-stimulated release of [ 3 H]NE involves an interaction with a lipophilic target, at or near the NMDA receptor-ionophore complex.
A two-channel microfluidic sensor that uses anodic electrogenerated chemiluminescence as a photonic reporter of cathodic redox reactions.

This paper describes a new approach for sensing electrochemically active substrates in microfluidic systems. This two-electrode sensor relies on electrochemical detection at one electrode and electrogenerated chemiluminescent (ECL) reporting at the other. Each microfabricated indium tin oxide electrode is located in a separate microfluidic channel, but the channels are connected downstream of the electrodes to maintain a complete electrical circuit. Because of laminar flow, there is no bulk mixing of the fluids in the detecting and reporting channels. This approach allows the ECL reaction to be physically and chemically decoupled from the sensing channel of the device, which greatly expands the number of analytes that can be detected. However, because the cathode and anode are connected, electron-transfer processes occurring at the sensing electrode are electrically coupled to the ECL reaction. Charge balance permits the ECL light output to be quantitatively correlated to electrochemical reductions at the...
Steamed breads made from colorado grown white wheats

Seven Colorado grown white wheats and a commercial all-purpose flour were used to prepare Chinese steamed bread. Steamed bread doughs were made from 41.8% flour (200g per batch), 0.7% instant active dry yeast, and 57.5% water. Steamed breads were evaluated for specific volume (cm3/g), color of crumb and crust, texture using a texture analyzer, and by a subjective sensory evaluation. Specific volume of steamed bread ranged from 3.3 to 3.6 cm3/g. There was no statistical significant difference in crust and crumb color among breads from all flour samples. Low peak force and area texture measurements which indicate softness, were correlated with high specific volume. Overall, the flours from Colorado grown white wheats were desirable for making steamed bread with one exception. The all-purpose commercial flour was found to be desirable for making steamed bread.
Performance of some improved porous cellulose acetate membranes for low pressure reverse osmosis desalination

Abstract The performance and correlations of experimental data with respect to a new and improved class of porous cellulose acetate membranes for low pressure reverse osmosis desalination are reported. These membranes were obtained from a casting solution of the following composition (weight %): acetone 68.0, cellulose acetate (acetyl content = 39.8% ) 17.0, water 13.5, and magnesium perchlorate 1.5; the temperature of the casting solution was 0°C, and the films were cast at the laboratory temperature (23–25°C) in an ambient atmosphere in equilibrium with 30 wt.% aqueous acetone solution; the solvent evaporation time on casting was 2 minutes, and the gelation medium was ice cold water. The productivity of the films made under the above conditions for brackish water desalination was 100 to 150% higher than that of other porous cellulose acetate membranes reported earlier at operating pressures of 250 psig or less. Some comparative data at higher operating pressures are also given.
Finite element patch approximations and alternating-direction methods

Abstract Numerical results using two modified Crank-Nicolson time discretizations are presented for finite element approximations to the nonlinear parabolic equation in 1R d , c(x,u) − (a ij (x,u)u ,j ) ,i + b i (x,u)u ,i = f(x,t,u), where the summation convection on repeated indices is assumed. Both procedures use a local approximation to the coefficients which is based on patches of finite elements. With the first method, the coefficients are updated at each time step; however, only one matrix decomposition is required per problem. This method can exploit efficient direct methods for solving the resulting matrix problem. The second method is an alternating-direction variation which is valid for certain nonrectangular regions. With the alternating-direction method the resulting matrix problem can be solved as a series of one-dimensional problems, which results in a significant savings of time and storage over traditional techniques.
The Impact of Extent of Telecommuting on Job Satisfaction: Resolving Inconsistent Findings

Although popular management wisdom has suggested that telecommuting enhances job satisfaction, research has found both positive and negative relationships. In this study, the authors attempt to resolve these inconsistent findings by hypothesizing a curvilinear, inverted U-shaped relationship between the extent of telecommuting and job satisfaction. Using hierarchical regression analysis on a sample of 321 professional-level employees, their findings suggest a curvilinear link between extent of telecommuting and job satisfaction, with satisfaction appearing to plateau at more extensive levels of telecommuting. In addition, task interdependence and job discretion moderated this link, suggesting that some job attributes play an important, contingent role.
Making the Grade: How a Semester in Washington May Influence Future Academic Performance

By examining American University's Washington Semester Program (AUWSP), this project analyzes the impact of intensive undergraduate experiential and active learning on subsequent student academic performance. In this article, we discuss the differences between traditional, active, and experiential learning methods to better understand the potential impact of a nontraditional learning environment in Washington. We used grade-point average (GPA) and other data from 188 students including some who had recently attended AUWSP and some who had not left their home school campus even though they met the minimum GPA requirement for off-campus study. We found that AUWSP has a positive impact on subsequent academic performance, especially for females and government majors. To better explore why AUWSP had an impact we conducted a focus group and a written survey for AUWSP alumni. The alumni emphasized increased class participation and more confidence in the value of classroom interaction. Alumni also reported a stre...
Interdependence of fluence, drug dose and oxygen on hematoporphyrin derivative induced photosensitization of tumor mitochondria.

— Studies were conducted to assess the interdependence of three discrete parameters known to influence hematoporphyrin derivative (Hpd)-induced photosensitization. The effects of fiuence, drug dose and oxygen environment were examined for their role in causing an inhibition of the activity of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase. Experiments were performed on R3230AC mammary tumor mitochondria in vitro and on mitochondria isolated from tumors of animals pre-treated with Hpd in vivo. Inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase activity was observed to be directly proportional to total energy density. Photosensitization was dependent on oxygen concentration, with total energy density dependent photosensitization being diminished in environments containing less than 5% oxygen. At 1% oxygen environments, photosensitization was significantly impaired and demonstrated no drug-dose relationship. These results suggest that tissue oxygen concentration may represent a critical factor for the therapeutic usefulness of Hpd photodynamic therapy in treatment of cancer.
Cloud Resource Usage--Heavy Tailed Distributions Invalidating Traditional Capacity Planning Models

For years Capacity Planning professionals knew or suspected that various characteristics of computer usage have non-normal distribution. At the same time much of the traditional workload modeling and forecasting is based on mathematical techniques assuming some sort of normality of underlying distributions. If the dissonance between the existing and assumed distribution exists, then resulting capacity models are of lower quality, with possibly erroneous forecasts--and confidence intervals much wider than expected. This paper analyzes distribution of daily resource usage on three storage clusters for 478 days. For each day we consider the distribution of resource usage by customer accounts for five different resources: storage used, storage transactions executed, internal network transfer, egress transfer and inter-data-center transfer--7170 sample distributions in total. All distributions were highly imbalanced and most distribution samples have tails heavier than log-normal, exponential, or normal distributions. These findings spell significant problems for most models assuming normality. Mathematically: Central Limit Theorem does not apply to power-law distributions--so the `averaging' effect cannot be counted on to help with modeling using traditional approach. Operationally: very high volatility found means that the `capacity buffers' need to be large, leading to wasted capacity. Other, administrative, means need to be applied to reduce that. Overall the distributions of resource usage in cloud storage are so far from normal, even after usual transformations, that traditional approach to forecasting and capacity planning needs to be reconsidered. The distributions of log-returns of time series describing resource usage are much more heavy-tailed than similar distributions for stock indexes. Since no financial professional would use linear regression for stock market analysis and forecasting--it stands to reason that capacity planning should move toward employing tools accounting for heavy-tailed distributions, too.
Determinants of adverse reaction following postoperative T-tube cholangiogram

The incidence, nature, and mechanisms of adverse reaction following postoperative T-tube cholangiogram have received little attention in the medical literature. This paper presents the experience at one hospital over a 30-month period (1975--1977) covering 139 patients who had 170 cholangiograms. Factors examined included intraoperative and postoperative cultures of bile, the use of antibiotics prior to the performance of the cholangiogram, the technique of cholangiography, the interval between operation and cholangiogram. Eleven (6.5%) cholangiograms were followed by an adverse reaction. Two of these reactions were severe, manifested by signs of septic shock. The administration of antibiotics was not associated with a reduction in adverse reactions. The cholangiographic technique of gravity infusion of dye, which effectively limits the amount of pressure generated during the study, was associated with a significant reduction in adverse reactions. No severe reactions occurred following any study performed by the gravity technique. There was no significant correlation between the age of the patient or the number of days postoperative with adverse reaction. A review of the literature suggests that the mechanism for these severe reactions is cholangiovenous reflux. The avoidance of high intraductal pressures (above 25 cm of water) during the performance of postoperative T-tube cholangiogram should significantly reduce the incidence of adverse reactions.
Ip3 Receptor Mediated Ca Release in Atrial Cells from Normal and Failing Hearts

We studied excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)-dependent Ca release in atrial cells from normal and heart failure (HF) rabbit hearts. Elementary Ca release events (Ca puffs) from IP3 receptors (IP3Rs) were detected in permeabilized myocytes after inhibition of ryanodine-receptor mediated Ca spark activity with tetracaine. Puff activity was induced by IP3 exposure and blocked by 2-APB, identifying their origin from IP3Rs. In normal myocytes puff activity was low and restricted to the cell periphery, whereas in HF myocytes their overall frequency was increased and puffs were more prominent in the cell center. Compared to normal cells, in HF atrial myocytes diastolic [Ca]i was increased, action potential (AP)-induced Ca transients (CaTs) were larger in amplitude (primarily due to enhanced Ca release from central non-junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum, SR), propagation of activation from cell periphery to the center was accelerated, and fractional SR Ca release was increased, whereas no difference in SR Ca load was observed. These differences were largely abolished by exposure to 2-APB, suggesting an increased basal IP3 activity in HF. Angiotensin II (AngII) increased diastolic [Ca]i in normal and HF myocytes whereas the effect was more pronounced in HF. The amplitude of AP-dependent CaTs was increased in the presence of AngII or after photolytical release of caged IP3 in normal cells, whereas the opposite effect was observed in HF. The frequency of spontaneous Ca waves was increased in HF, and returned to levels comparable to normal myocytes after 2-APB exposure. In conclusion, HF atrial myocytes revealed enhanced Ca release during ecc and more frequent spontaneous Ca waves, presumably resulting from increased basal IP3R-mediated Ca release. However, additional neurohumoral stimulation with AngII, as it might occur in-vivo in cardiac disease, negatively affected atrial Ca signaling during ECC.
A study of the gas-phase pyrolysis of glycerol

Abstract Pyrolysis of glycerol in steam was studied in a luminar flow reactor in the 650 °C region. The initial products of decomposition were carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde and acrolein. Acetaldehyde and acrolein further decomposed to produce primarily carbon monoxide, ethylene, methane and hydrogen. With residence times of μl the products from glycerol pyrolysis in decreasing order of importance were carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde, acrolein, hydrogen, ethylene, methane, ethane, carbon dioxide, propylene and 1,.3-butadiene. The overall reaction governing the disappearance of glycerol was found to be consistent with a first order rate law, with rate constant x = (1.52 ± 0.15 1023 exp -55.6±5.5, 103RT).
The effect of technology-supported, multidisease care management on the mortality and hospitalization of seniors.

OBJECTIVES: To explore changes in mortality and hospital usage for chronically ill seniors enrolled in a multidisease care management program, Care Management Plus (CMP). DESIGN: Controlled clinical trial with seven intervention and six control clinics with additional patient-level matching. SETTING: Intermountain Health Care, a large health system in Utah; seven intervention and six control clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand four hundred thirty-two senior patients (≥65) enrolled in Medicare. INTERVENTION: The intervention employed nurse care managers supported by specialized information technology in primary care to manage chronically ill patients (2002–2005). MEASUREMENTS: Mortality and hospitalization data were collected from clinical records and Medicare billing. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred forty-four intervention patients were matched to 2,288 controls. Average age was 76.2; average comorbidity score was 2.3±1.1; 75% of patients had two or more chronic diseases. Survival analyses showed lower mortality and slightly more emergency department visits for care managed patients than for controls. In patients with diabetes mellitus, the intervention resulted in significantly lower mortality at 1 year (6.2%, vs 10.6% for controls) and at 2 years (12.9% vs 18.2%). Hospitalization rate was lower (21.0%, vs. 24.2% for controls) at 1 year and substantially more so at the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: CMP was successful in reducing death for all patients. For complex patients with diabetes mellitus in the intervention group, death and hospital usage were lower. Per clinic, hypothesized savings from decreased hospitalizations was $17,384 to $70,349.
Nature in Marx Reconsidered A Silver Anniversary Assessment of Alfred Schmidt's Concept of Nature in Marx

Alfred Schmidt's contribution to the ecological interpretation of Marx is reassessed from the standpoint of Marx's value-form analysis of capitalism and Marx's historical and materialist approach to nature under communism. Although Schmidt provides some useful insights into the relations between class exploitation and ecological destruction in Marx's view, his interpretation ultimately lapses into an uncritical determinism similar to that of official (Stalinist) Marxism. This determinism unjustifiably naturalizes capitalism's exploitation of nature while bypassing the systemic basis for an eventual merging of Red and Green anticapitalist movements that is highlighted by Marx's approach.
Analyzing IS research productivity: an inclusive approach to global IS scholarship

An increasing number of studies have appeared that evaluate and rank journal quality and the productivity of IS scholars and their institutions. In this paper, we describe the results of one recent study identifying the ‘ Top 30’ IS Researchers, revealing many unexamined assumptions about which IS publication outlets should be included in any definition of high-quality, scholarly IS journals. Drawing from the argument that all categories and classification schemes are grounded in politics, we critique the process by which the recent study in question (and several earlier studies) have derived the set of journals from which they count researcher publications. Based on a critical examination of the widespread inclusion of practitioner outlets, and the consistent exclusion of European scholarly IS journals, we develop our own arguments for which journals should be included in such evaluations of researcher productivity. We conduct our own analysis of IS researcher productivity for the period 1999–2003, based on articles published in a geographically balanced set of 12 IS journals, and then we compare our results with those from the recent study in question and their predecessors. Our results feature a more diverse set of scholars – both in terms of location (specifically, the country and continent in which the researchers are employed) and gender. We urge future studies of IS research productivity to follow our practice of including high-quality European journals, while eschewing practitioneroriented publications (such as Harvard Business Review and Communications of the ACM). We also advocate that such studies count only research contributions (e.g., research articles), and that other genres of non-research articles – such as book reviews, ‘issues and opinions’ pieces and editorial introductions – not be conflated with counts of research contributions.
Reforming Theology, Reframing Science

: What is the role of science in theology? What internal dynamics compel theology to take science seriously? Those are the questions—posed in a characteristically cautious academic fashion. There is a back-story that needs to be told, however, if we are to get at these questions with the vigor they require: Without radical reformation of theology, there is little chance that we can even begin to work on the agenda that science poses to Christian faith and life. Faith is a journey in which we seek to make sense of the world and our lives in it in the light of the gospel we have received. The gospel is about God, God's presence and redemptive work in Jesus Christ and God's continuing presence in the Holy Spirit. But since it is God's presence and work in the world and for us, the gospel is also about the world and about human being—and that is where science comes in, provoking its reformation. Science is now an irreplaceable source of knowledge about the world and ourselves, and in some respects its knowledge is normative. Scientific knowledge has reshaped our view of the world and ourselves in ways that are so commonly known that it is unnecessary to elaborate. To relate our gospel to our actual lives in the empirical world—that is theology's motivation for taking science seriously. But theology must be reformed and reshaped if it is to be capable of taking science seriously. In this essay we focus on this reforming of theology.
A Method for Reproducibly Preparing Synthetic Nanopores for Resistive‐Pulse Biosensors

There is increasing interest in using nanopores in synthetic membranes as resistive-pulse sensors for biomedical analytes. Analytes detected with prototype artificial-nanopore biosensors include drugs, DNA, proteins, and viruses. This field is, however, currently in its infancy. A key question that must be addressed in order for such sensors to progress from an interesting laboratory experiment to practical devices is: Can the artificial-nanopore sensing element be reproducibly prepared? We have been evaluating sensors that employ a conically shaped nanopore prepared by the track-etch method as the sensor element. We describe here a new two-step pore-etching procedure that allows for good reproducibility in nanopore fabrication. In addition, we describe a simple mathematical model that allows us to predict the characteristics of the pore produced given the experimental parameters of the two-step etch. This method and model constitute important steps toward developing practical, real-world, artificial-nanopore biosensors.
Originality Proxies: Toward a Theory of Copyright and Creativity

Drawing upon the abundant stock of originality jurisprudence in the area of photography, this article argues that courts are ultimately doomed to fail in the quest to explain, in a satisfying way, how a work of authorship is original in and of itself. Caught between the impermissibility of relying upon aesthetic virtues, on the one hand, and the degree of effort expended by an author, on the other, the closest courts can come to identifying originality, at least under the current copyright framework, is through proxies for the legal concept. Building upon the use of the proxy device by others in intellectual property scholarship, this article identifies three that serve this function: the proxy of ontology, the proxy of narrative, and the proxy of comparison. Given the courts’ inability to reach originality in an unmediated fashion, the current originality threshold, which is low, should be left intact and the problematic aspects of copyright’s expansiveness should be checked at other points.
Effects of selection for serum cholesterol concentrations on serum lipid concentrations and body weight in baboons

We examined the results of one generation of selection for serum cholesterol (SC) concentration on low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride concentrations and weight in baboons (Papio cynocephalus). Parents of two lines (high SC response and low SC response) were chosen based on their SC response to a 4-month challenge with a cholesterol and saturated fat enriched diet. Parents of the control line were chosen without regard for SC levels. Expression of SC, LDL-C, and HDL-C concentrations was moderately influenced by additive genetic effects as evidenced by the direct and correlated responses of the serum lipoprotein concentrations of the juvenile offspring of the three lines. Realized heritability of SC and genetic correlations of SC with LDL-C and HDL-C were moderate to high. Sex and age were important factors influencing expression of SC, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, and weight in both adult baboons and their offspring.
BAEC adhesion analysis using Thickness Shear Mode sensor

A thickness shear mode (TSM) sensor of which acoustic shear wave has a nano-scale penetration depth was used in detecting biological activities of living cells. The initial cell adhesion process was characterized by analyzing multi-harmonic responses of the TSM sensor. A suspension of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) was placed on the TSM sensor, and changes in impedance magnitude during sedimentation and attachment processes were monitored. For the validation of cell adhesion, the sensor surface was rinsed at various time points during the adhesion process, and the number of cells remaining attached was counted. By comparing sensor signals with the independently measured cell adhesion, sensor readings were correlated with physical adhesion process. In addition, by coating the TSM sensors with gelatin and by blocking the integrin bindings with Arg-Gly-Asp peptides (RGD), we investigated cell adhesion process under different environments. The time course of sensor readings were characterized with delay time, slope and maximum value of impedance magnitude changes. This study demonstrates the ability of the TSM sensor to detect distinct phases in the cell adhesion process