cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A perspective on queueing models of computer performance

Abstract Analytical modeling plays an important role in evaluating computer system performance during the design, development and configuration of a system. We will survey analytical computer performance modeling with an emphasis on developments of practical importance. In doing so the symbiotic relationship between computer performance modeling and queueing theory, in particular queueing networks, will be made evident. The survey will proceed historically, starting with developments in the mid-1960s, when the first published results on queueing models of multiprogramming and time sharing systems appeared, and continuing to include current areas of research. The computer systems we will consider include conventional single processor systems as well as highly parallel multiprocessor systems. Both subsystem models and overall system models will be discussed. It is intended that in addition to being of interest to the computer science community this paper will expose queueing theorists and applied queueing analysts to the practical queueing analysis problems that arise in computer performance modeling.
Ethnic differences in quality of life among early breast and prostate cancer survivors.

This study assessed quality of life (QOL) in recently diagnosed breast and prostate cancer patients of European American and Asian Pacific Islanders (specifically, individuals of Filipino, Japanese, and Native Hawaiian ancestry) to investigate whether QOL varied according to ethnicity and the relative importance of ethnicity as a predictor of QOL. Participants were identified through consecutive registrations on the Hawaii Tumor Registry, based on a diagnosis of breast or prostate cancer 4-6 months previously. QOL was measured by the QLQ-C30, a standardized questionnaire widely used in cancer patient populations. Two hundred and twenty-seven individuals participated (101 prostate and 126 breast cancer patients). QOL was similar across ethnic groups in most areas of QOL. However, differences were found in several areas, all in the direction of Filipino patients reporting worse outcomes. Hierarchical stepwise regressions supported the importance of ethnicity, controlling for clinical and demographic predictors. We conclude that additional research is needed to understand the relationship between ethnicity and QOL in cancer survivors.
Comparative Dynamics and Risk Premia in an Overlapping Generations Model

An asset pricing model with overlapping generations is developed in order to study the relationship of risk aversion and risk premia and to derive some comparative dynamic results. The main result is that greater risk aversion does not necessarily imply a greater risk premium in this type of model. This paper develops an asset pricing model with overlapping generations which is used to study the relationship of risk aversion and risk premia and to derive some comparative dynamic results. The main result is that greater risk aversion does not necessarily imply a greater risk premium in an overlapping generations model. The fundamental difference of risk premia behaviour in an overlapping generations (OLG) model and in an infinitelived, representative agent model such as in Lucas (1978) results from differences in the behaviour of the marginal rate of substitution in response to a change in output next period. This difference arises because of the ambiguity resulting from income and substitution effects in an OLG model which is absent in a pure exchange, infinite-lived, representative agent model. This idea is developed in Section 3 and the result may help to resolve the puzzle of what appears to be excessive asset price variability and risk premia which has been prominent in recent literature.1 An overlapping generations model has several properties that make it a useful framework in which to analyse issues regarding asset price behaviour. An important property is that markets are incomplete in the sense that pooling risks through ArrowDebreu contingent claims is impossible. Although the asset traded is a claim to a future dividend stream, a consumer cannot sell contingent claims on this income since potential buyers (the "unborn" future and "expired" past generations) are not present in the market at the time of trade. This market friction, which is a type of liquidity or borrowing constraint, has important implications for asset prices and risk premia.2 The behaviour of these variables can be compared to the results emerging from a frictionless, pure exchange infinite-lived, representative agent model. The model is described in Section 1. The response of optimal consumption to a change in an index of risk aversion is studied in Section 2 and, in one sense, the results are the intergenerational analogue of the results in Diamond and Stiglitz (1974). We go a step further by examining not just the response of an individual consumer to a parameter change, holding fixed the prices he faces, but also study the economy-wide effect of the parameter change which induces a change in the probability distribution function of the endogenous variables. The analysis
The Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Great Lakes

Abstract Global climate change could have a significant impact on the Great Lakes. A number of studies of the potential effects of climate change on the Great Lakes were commissioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, using common scenarios of global warming derived mainly from general circulation models. These studies found that a doubling of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere could eventually lower Great Lakes water levels by 0.5 to 2.5m; reduce ice cover by 1 to 2 ½ months; lengthen shipping seasons while increasing shipping and dredging costs; reduce dissolved oxygen levels in shallow lake basins; and increase fish productivity. Measures should be taken in the near future to anticipate many of these impacts and mitigate their effects or avoid costly political issues.
Stimulus-Driven Attention, Threat Bias, and Sad Bias in Youth with a History of an Anxiety Disorder or Depression

Attention biases towards threatening and sad stimuli are associated with pediatric anxiety and depression, respectively. The basic cognitive mechanisms associated with attention biases in youth, however, remain unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that threat bias (selective attention for threatening versus neutral stimuli) but not sad bias relies on stimulus-driven attention. We collected measures of stimulus-driven attention, threat bias, sad bias, and current clinical symptoms in youth with a history of an anxiety disorder and/or depression (ANX/DEP; n = 40) as well as healthy controls (HC; n = 33). Stimulus-driven attention was measured with a non-emotional spatial orienting task, while threat bias and sad bias were measured at a short time interval (150 ms) with a spatial orienting task using emotional faces and at a longer time interval (500 ms) using a dot-probe task. In ANX/DEP but not HC, early attention bias towards threat was negatively correlated with later attention bias to threat, suggesting that early threat vigilance was associated with later threat avoidance. Across all subjects, stimulus-driven orienting was not correlated with early threat bias but was negatively correlated with later threat bias, indicating that rapid stimulus-driven orienting is linked to later threat avoidance. No parallel relationships were detected for sad bias. Current symptoms of depression but not anxiety were related to decreased stimulus-driven attention. Together, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that threat bias but not sad bias relies on stimulus-driven attention. These results inform the design of attention bias modification programs that aim to reverse threat biases and reduce symptoms associated with pediatric anxiety and depression.
The effect of borders and contours on threshold during early dark adaptation.

Abstract The present series of experiments were designed to investigate whether the drop in threshold during early dark adaptation was due to activity within a receptor (or within the direct neural channel from receptor to higher visual centers) or whether the drop in threshold reflected the decay of activity extending over a lateral spatial region. The results show that conditions maximizing lateral effects increased the magnitude of the drop in threshold during early dark adaptation; and that spatial integration of light rapidly changed during the course of early adaptation. It is concluded that early dark adaptation reflects a mechanism sensitive to the spatial distribution of light and consequently rules out an interpretation of early dark adaptation as a process arising solely within a receptor. It is also argued that the mechanism responsible for these changes may not be retinal.
Attitudes of preschool children toward their peers with disabilities: a year-long investigation in integrated classrooms.

Abstract Changes in choices of preferred playmates by 3- and 4-year-old children were observed over the course of a school year. All of the children in this study participated in planned, fully mainstreamed, same-age preschool classes. Sociometric assessments were obtained from all children without disabilities in October, February, and May of the school year; peer nominations of three “best friends” were obtained at the beginning and end of the school year. The 3-year-old children showed a general decline in the ratings given to all of their peers over the course of the school year. Four-year-old children showed significant preferences for same-sex peers without disabilities as playmates. The implications of these findings for integrated programs are discussed.
The occurrence of non-ring producing branches in Abies lasiocarpa

Lack of annual growth ring production at the base of branches in the lower portion of the crown is a commonly observed phenomenon. In this study, branches with missing rings were found on 47 of 49 Abies lasiocarpa trees sampled. The number of missing rings on the lowest live branch in the crown averaged 12, and ranged as high as 28. The lower one-third of the live crown tended to consist of branches without rings; these branches contained an average of 30% of the total crown leaf area. The ratio of foliage weight to total branch weight, in combination with position of the branch in the canopy, was an effective discriminator of non-ring producing branches. This suggests that both structural and environmental factors influence the cessation of ring production. The potential ecological implications of branches that fail to produce rings are discussed.
Caffeine potentiation of amphetamine: Implications for hyperkinesis therapy

Neither 0.05 mg/kg d-amphetamine nor 15 mg/kg caffeine alone produce amphetamine-like responding in rats trained in two-lever operant chambers to discriminate 0.8 mg/kg d-amphetamine from saline. The co-administration of the two drug doses produced responding similar to the 0.8 mg/kg d-amphetamine dose. A suggestion for the mechanism of action and a regimen of administration for caffeine in hyperkinetic children are discussed.
Review of Three Decades of Laboratory Exercises in the Preclinical Curriculum at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

The authors reviewed the use of preclinical curricular time for laboratory exercises at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine from 1955-56 to 1988-89. Total hours decreased from over 1,000 in 1960-61 to just under 300 in 1988-89. From 1955-56 to 1985-86, laboratory hours devoted to animal and human physiology declined by 92%. Although the precise reasons for these changes--which have occurred in medical schools across the country--are difficult to document, the authors view them with concern. After considering the advantages and disadvantages of preclinical laboratory exercises, they conclude that the former still outweigh the latter. The further disappearance of laboratory exercises from the curriculum should be halted by efforts to revitalize them.
Design of Semilightweight Bridge Girders: Development-Length Considerations

In a recent study, 25 development-length tests were conducted on rectangular and T-shaped semilightweight beams having design compressive strengths of 48 MPa (7,000 psi) and 69 MPa (10,000 psi). In the rectangular beam tests, the design moment capacity was exceeded in every case. However, in the tests on T-shaped beams, bond failure occurred in some specimens immediately after the formation of a flexure-shear crack. Additional tests were then conducted on similar T-shaped beams having varying amounts of transverse reinforcement near the point load. These tests showed that bond failure could be prevented by increasing the transverse reinforcement near the point of maximum moment. The study showed that the shift in the tension force that occurs when flexural cracks turn diagonally may lead to bond failure if sufficient anchorage of the strand is not provided. Therefore, the investigators recommend that the current AASHTO requirements for strand development be enforced at a "critical section" located at a di...
Comparative study of the dielectric and optical response of PDLC films

The dielelectric response of three types of PDLC films were measured as a function of frequency (1 mHz to 10 kHz) at room temperature. PDLC films containing nematic liquid crystal droplets in different polymer binders -- epoxy (Epon 828), thermoplastic (PMMA), and a UV curable adhesive (Norland 65) -- were studied for a range of droplet sizes. Transmission at normal incidence as a function of the frequency (0.1 Hz to 200 Hz) of the applied field (0 to 120 Vrms) was also measured. The dielectric data show that charge is built up at both the electrode (epoxy films) and droplet/polymer interface (UV, PMMA films). This charge buildup causes a shielding of the field in the droplets, resulting in a much higher switching voltage as shown by the optical transmission. In the PMMA-based film the extent of the shielding is strongly dependent on droplet size.
Cyclosporine A Blocks Induction of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Human B Lymphocytes

Abstract The effects of cyclosporin A (CSP) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) RNA levels and protein production in human B cells and a B cell line were studied. The ability of CSP to block induction of RNA was compared to its inhibition of protein production in response to anti-IgM, phorbol ester (PMA) and platelet-activating factor (PAF). PAF is a phospholipid which has recently been found to activate human B cells. CSP blocks PAF-induced TNF-α RNA from the Ramos cell line, as well as inhibiting the enhancement of TNF protein production from both freshly isolated and Ramos B cells. CSP also blocks anti-Ig induced TNF-α RNA and protein but does not inhibit PMA-induced TNF-α. We conclude that B cells, like T cells, have CSP-independent and CSP-dependent signaling pathways and that PAF signaling is dependent upon a CSP-sensitive factor.
The Use of Cocoa Syrups for Masking the Taste of Quinine Hydrochloride

Abstract Eleven different formulas of cocoa syrup were used to determine statistically which would best mask the taste of quinine hydrochloride. These were compared with cocoa syrup U. S. P., and syrup, U. S. P. Tests made to determine whether the addition of flavors or varying die method of preparation would improve the disguising power of cocoa syrups showed that ten of the eleven cocoa flavored vehicles prepared were significantly better disguising agents than the official cocoa syrup. Three syrups made with Dutch process cocoa showed the highest disguising potentials. All cocoa syrups tested were significantly better disguising agents than syrup, U. S. P
Gallium metal affinity capture tandem mass spectrometry for the selective detection of phosphopeptides in complex mixtures

Metal affinity capture tandem mass spectrometry (MAC-MSMS) is evaluated in a comparative study of a lysine-derived nitrilotriacetic acid (Nα, Nα-bis-(carboxymethyl)lysine, LysNTA) and an asparticacid-related iminodiacetic acid (N-(4-aminobutyl)aspartic acid, AspIDA) as selective phosphopeptide detection reagents. Both LysNTA and AspIDA spontaneously form ternary complexes with Ga III and phosphorylated amino acids and phosphopeptides upon mixing in solution. Collision-induced dissociation of positive complex ions produced by electrospray produces common fragments (LysNTA + H) + or (AspIDA + H) + at m/z 263 and 205, respectively. MSMS precursor scans using these fragments as reporter ions allow one to selectively detect multiple charge states of phosphopeptides in mixtures. It follows from this comparative study that LysNTA is superior to AspIDA in detecting phosphopeptides, possibly because of the higher coordination number and greater stability constant for Ga III – phosphopeptide complexation of the former reagent. In a continuing development of MAC-MSMS for proteomics applications, we demonstrate its utility in a post-column reaction format. Using a simple post-column-reaction ‘T’ and syringe pump to deliver our chelating reagents, α-casein tryptic phosphopeptides can be selectively analyzed from a solution containing a twofold molar excess of bovine serum albumin. The MAC-MSMS method is shown to be superior to the commonly used neutral loss scan for the common loss of phosphoric acid.
Resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy of jet-cooled PdC

The first optical investigation of the spectra of diatomic PdC has revealed that the ground state has Ω=0+, with a bond length of r0=1.712 A. The Hund’s case (a) nature of this state could not be unambiguously determined from the experimental data, but dispersed fluorescence studies to be reported in a separate publication, in combination with a comparison to theoretical calculations, demonstrate that it is the 2δ4 12σ2, 1Σ0++ state, which undergoes spin–orbit mixing with a low-lying 2δ4 12σ1 6π1, 3Π0+ state. An excited 3Σ+ state with re=1.754±0.003 A (r0=1.758±0.002 A) and ΔG1/2=794 cm−1 is found at T0=17 867 cm−1. Although only the Ω=1 component of this state is directly observed, the large hyperfine splitting of this state for the 105Pd 12C isotopomer implies that an unpaired electron occupies an orbital that is primarily of 5s character on Pd. Comparison to ab initio calculations identifies this state as 2δ4 12σ1 13σ1, 3Σ1+. To higher wavenumbers a number of transitions to states with Ω=0+ have been o...
Load field reconstruction with a combined POD and integral spline approximation technique

Abstract In this paper, a new technique for determining a load field (e.g., pressure) on the basis of a few global measurements (e.g., forces) is presented. This technique is based on a combination of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and polynomial spline approximation with integral constraints and is here illustrated with respect to the prediction of the wave load distribution along a slender floating body like a ship. The input data are provided by the time-histories of the lumped vertical forces acting on several longitudinal portions (i.e., segments) of a scaled model of a fast ship. To achieve a better understanding of the accuracy of this technique, the segment forces are not experimentally but numerically obtained by integrating the sectional forces over the length of the segments. These forces, calculated with a strip-theory approach precessing experimental data relative to ship motion in waves, provide also the target distribution for validating the present procedure. The set of lumped hydrodynamic forces defines the vector process to which POD is applied. The components of the identified POD modes provide the integral constraints for the spline polynomials approximating the continuous basis functions of the sectional load distribution. The sectional load distribution along the hull is then reconstructed, showing good agreement with the original load data. Finally, the robustness of the proposed technique is investigated by studying the propagation of bias errors and additive white noise from input data to final results.
The Dynamics of a Heated Free Jet of Variable Viscosity Liquid at Low Reynolds Numbers

To spin polymers or glass into continuous fibers, molten material is forced through a nozzle into air forming a free liquid jet. The jet is cooled as it proceeds through the air and the cold fiber is collected on a rotating drum. The drum maintains tension on the jet causing it to attenuate as it cools. The behavior of a variable viscosity jet of glass was studied analytically and experimentally. In the analysis, it was assumed that the velocity and temperature distributions within the jet were one dimensional. Predictions of the jet shape, the temperature distribution and the tension in the jet as a function of the material properties and the process variables were obtained. Measurements of the jet shape and the tension distribution in the jet were made for various values of the flow rate, the collecting drum speed, and the nozzle temperature. The analytical predictions were found to be in error in the region of the jet within three to four nozzle diameters of the nozzle exit; below this point the theoretical and experimental results were in good agreement.
Mentzelia canyonensis (Loasaceae), a new species endemic to the Grand Canyon, Arizona, U.S.A.

We describe Mentzelia canyonensis, a new species endemic to the Grand Canyon. Based on floral and fruit forms, shoot system architecture, and phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA, we infer that M. canyonensis belongs to the ‘subshrubby’ clade of Mentzelia section Bartonia, which includes the morphologically similar M. hualapaiensis, M. oreophila, M. puberula, and M. tiehmii. The new species is most similar to M. hualapaiensis, which is also known only from the Grand Canyon. These two species share leaf shape, subshrubby habits, corolla color, and fruit shape, although they differ in staminode presence and especially in leaf and corolla size. Principal component analyses of variation among floral and vegetative traits demonstrates that M. canyonensis and M. hualapaiensis share highly overlapping floral character space, but M. canyonensis occupies unique vegetative character space compared to similar species. A dichotomous key is provided to assist with identification of, and differentiation among, species of Mentzelia section Bartonia that occur in the Grand Canyon region.
Predicting Effective Intervention: Upping the Odds

Multiple logistic analysis, a research methodology being applied with increasing frequency in epidemiology, offers advantages that would be equally useful in early Intervention research Logistic regression provides the capability of assessing the degree of association of multiple factors such as subject or situational characteristics, with a dichotomous outcome such as benefiting or not benefiting from an intervention. The method results in an estimate of the probability of each outcome. We describe the methodology and its advantages and disadvantages.
Simultaneous determination of dissolved organic carbon and phosphorus in waters using flame ionization and photometric detectors

Abstract An apparatus with flame ionization and photometric detectors was assembled for the simultaneous determination of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and phosphorus (DP) in waters. The optimum operating conditions were described. The long-term precision (relative standard deviation) is 5.8% for DOC and 5.2% for DP. The detection limits are 0.09 μg ml −1 for DOC and 0.03 μg ml −1 for DP. The responses for various DOC and DP compounds agreed almost with those obtained by combustion-infrared and persulfate digestion-colorimetric methods, respectively. DOC and DP in several water samples were determined by this method and other methods, and the results obtained by those methods were discussed.
An examination of momentum strategies in commodity futures markets

Commodity futures and equity markets differ in several important respects. Nevertheless, it was found that momentum profits in commodities are highly significant for holding periods as long as 9 months, and returns to momentum strategies are roughly equal in magnitude to those that have been reported in stocks. The profits documented are too large to be subsumed by transactions costs. Although the momentum strategies appear to be quite risky, their profitability cannot be fully accounted for in the context of a market factor model. Further, it is shown that momentum profits eventually reverse if positions are maintained long enough after portfolio formation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 27:227–256, 2007
Utility of EUS in the evaluation of cystic pancreatic lesions

Abstract Background: Preoperative differentiation of benign and malignant/potentially malignant pancreatic cystic lesions is problematic. Data to support the role of EUS and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) are limited. This study assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS, cytopathology, and analysis of cyst fluid for pancreatic cystic lesions. Methods: Retrospectively, 111 consecutive patients were identified (54 men, 57 women; mean age 59 years, range 18-79 years) who underwent EUS from July 1997 to September 2000 because of known or suspected pancreatic cystic lesions based on CT or transabdominal US. Thirty-four patients (16 men, 18 women; mean age 55 years, 25-79 years) who underwent surgery formed the basis for this analysis. EUS diagnosis was compared with surgical pathology. Selected patients underwent EUS-FNA to obtain specimens for cytopathologic analysis and for determination of carcinoembryonic antigen levels. Based on surgical pathology, cysts were classified as benign (simple cyst, pseudocyst, serous cystadenoma) or malignant/potentially malignant (mucinous cystadenoma, intraductal papillary mucinous tumor, cystic islet cell tumor, cystic adenocarcinoma). Results: EUS-FNA with cytopathologic assessment of cyst fluid was performed for 18 of the 34 patients; carcinoembryonic antigen level was determined in 11 cases. For EUS, cytopathology, and carcinoembryonic antigen, sensitivity was, respectively, 91%, ( p = 0.01 vs. cytology), 27%, and 28%; specificity was, respectively, 60%, 100%, and 25%; and, accuracy was, respectively, 82%, 55%, and 27%. The sensitivity of EUS in all 13 patients with cystic islet cell tumor, intraductal papillary mucinous tumor, or cystic adenocarcinoma was 100%. Combining EUS, cytopathology, and carcinoembryonic antigen results did not improve accuracy. There were no complications related to the EUS or EUS-FNA. Conclusions: EUS alone is sensitive and accurate in identifying malignant/potentially malignant pancreatic cystic lesions. EUS-FNA to obtain specimens for cytopathologic analysis and determination of carcinoembryonic antigen levels, although safe, does not enhance diagnostic yield. (Gastrointest Endosc 2002;56:543-7.)
The Robustness of Common Measures of 2×2 Association to Bias Due to Misclassifications

Abstract The strength of association between two dichotomous characteristics A and B can be measured in many ways. All of these statistics are biased when there is misclassification, and all are prevalence dependent whether or not their population values are. Measures lacking fixed endpoints for random and perfect association, such as sensitivity, specificity, risk ratios, and odds ratio, have a bias either so unpredictable or so large that the observable and true measures of association may bear little resemblance to each other. Reexpressions of these measures that fix the endpoints and other measures with fixed endpoints, such as kappa, phi, gamma, risk difference, and attributable risk, produce attenuated estimates of their true values. Disattenuating such estimators is possible using test—retest data.
Paleocene to holocene paleodeltas of ancestral colorado river offset by the San Andreas fault system, southern California

Upper Paleocene to middle Miocene fluvial-deltaic rocks in the Los Angeles and Ventura basins were deposited by a Colorado paleoriver prior to 300 km of dextral displacement on the San Andreas fault. During the late Miocene, movement on the fault and associated rifting in the Salton trough rerouted the paleoriver into the proto–Gulf of California. Since the Pliocene, translation of a moving Colorado deltaic depocenter along the fault has filled the Salton trough progressively southeastward. The postulated Colorado paleoriver extended north approximately along the lower course of the present river where it joined with Gila and Amargosa paleotributaries. Late Cenozoic tectonism disrupted the Amargosa paleoriver, and the modern course of the Colorado River through the lower Grand Canyon was developed.
The excited-state population distribution of titanium atoms in A d.c. Argon plasma jet at atmospheric pressure

Abstract The distribution of excited-state titanium atoms in an argon plasma at atmospheric pressure has been studied by spectroscopic measurements. The upper levels of the argon atoms were found to be in equilibrium with the continuum; electron collisions are dominant for these levels and the Boltzmann temperature compared favorably with the LTE temperature obtained from the extrapolated electron density. The distribution of titanium atoms was found to be far from equilibrium. The temperature determined from the intensity ratios of titanium emission lines differs by a factor of more than two from the electron temperature obtained from argon emission-line data. The titanium data were corrected by using a modified diffusion model. The resulting electron temperature is within 14% of that determined from a Boltzmann plot of the argon emission lines. This study suggests a procedural method to use emission-line data of metal atoms in a low-temperature plasma to obtain a better estimate of the electron temperature and to predict other population densities for situations in which the energy separation of the excited state from the ionization level is sufficiently large so that radiation processes are dominant over excited-state depopulations.
Embryos, ethics and expertise: the emerging model of the research ethics regulator

Embryonic stem cell research poses challenges for traditionally secular governing structures. An increasingly popular response has been to create research ethics regulators, bureaucratic agencies assigned to generate or enforce normative regulations surrounding the use of embryos in research. This paper examines three examples: Japan's Bioethics and Biosafety Office, the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. It explores the structure and mandate of each agency, its definition and employment of ethico-technical expertise and the extent to which the relocation of normative decision-making from the political sphere and into the voluntary sphere has democratized decision-making about the use of emerging technologies. We conclude that the model of the research ethics regulator appears successful at ameliorating public conflict and channeling dissent but there is little evidence to suggest that a reliance on ethico-technical, lay expertise has resulted in the relief of traditional critiques of regulatory culture. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
The extended concentric tabu for the quadratic assignment problem

Abstract In this paper we propose to extend the concentric tabu search for the quadratic assignment problem to include more permissible moves. Two extensions are suggested and tested. The computational comparisons with existing hybrid genetic algorithms provide comparable solutions to the best available algorithms.
Optimal Technique to Diagnose Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Objective: To develop a cost-effective protocol for diagnosing primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Study Design: Retrospective chart review in a tertiary care academic medical center. Methods: A review of the electron microscopy logbook identified all patients who had a suspected diagnosis of PCD. Biopsy of respiratory tract mucosa was performed using a cytology brush or a cup forceps in the outpatient clinic or operating room (OR). Outcome measures were to determine the diagnostic adequacy of cytological evaluation compared with tissue biopsy and to determine whether an adequate nasal mucosa sample can be collected in the outpatient clinic setting as compared with the OR and the use of general anesthesia. Results: Twenty-seven patients underwent 31 biopsies. Fifteen specimens were collected with a cup forceps, and 16 with a cytology brush. The sampling sites were nasal mucosa in 28 cases and trachea in the rest. Twelve specimens (39%) were collected in the clinic; the rest were obtained in the OR in conjunction with another procedure. Neither method of specimen collection nor mode of anesthesia made a significant difference in the probability of obtaining an adequate specimen. Ten samples were nondiagnostic: cytological evaluation, 31% (n = 16); tissue biopsy, 27% (n = 15); clinic, 42% (n = 12); and OR, 31% (n = 16). The cost of evaluating ciliary motion at our institution was $150, with an additional charge of $1297 for electron microscopic evaluation. The nonprofessional fee for an outpatient nasal biopsy was $98; in the OR the cost of anesthesia supplies, surgical suite, recovery room, and day-surgery bed was at least $1860. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the optimal method for diagnosis of PCD is in the outpatient clinic with specimen collection by means of either a cup forceps or a cytology brush.
Design Of New Millimeter Waveguides Using Optical Concepts

Insufferably high conduction losses for metal-based guiding structures at millimeter/sub-millimeter wavelength range as well as the phenomenal success of dielectric-based optical waveguides and integrated optical circuits prompted us to take a new look at dielectric waveguides as viable guiding structures for mm/sub-mm waves. Our investigation shows that dielectric waveguides may yet be proven to be the best mm/sub-mm waveguiding struc-tures. There are two possible ways of realizing a low loss millimeter/sub-millimeter (mm/sub-mm) waveguide structure: Through the use of low loss material and/or through the use of specially configured structure. This paper will address the latter. New low loss configurations are presented. Detailed propagation characteristics of the dominant mode on these new structures are discussed. The finite element approach perfected for optical waveguide calculations was used to analyze these complex structures.
Maternal scleroderma: Placental findings and perinatal outcome

Abstract Pregnancy after the onset of scleroderma is uncommon; therefore, placental findings and perinatal outcome have rarely been correlated. The histopathologic features of placentas from 13 pregnancies in eight women with scleroderma were recorded and correlated with the clinical features of the mother and fetus. Adverse perinatal outcome included intrauterine fetal demise in five, and previable or preterm delivery in four. A decidual vasculopathy was seen in 5 of the 13 placentas, four of which were associated with intrauterine fetal demise. Decidual blood vessels in the scleroderma patients were evaluated immunohistochemically for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), T-helper and T-suppressor lymphocytes, macrophages, immunoglobulin (Ig) M, and IgG, and compared with those from hypertensive and uncomplicated third-trimester pregnancies. The atherotic blood vessels in scleroderma were characterized by mural macrophages and IgM and IgG deposition and were similar to those seen in placentas from hypertensive pregnancies. CD8-positive T cells predominated in normal and hypertensive decidua compared with scleroderma, in which CD4-positive T cells were more frequent. No difference in PDGF or TGF-β1 staining was found between scleroderma and control groups. In conclusion, decidual vasculopathy is common in scleroderma, is similar to that seen in hypertension, and is associated with poor perinatal outcome. A trend toward a reversed ratio of decidual CD4- to CD8-positive T cells is seen in scleroderma compared with hypertension and uncomplicated pregnancies. PDGF and TGF-β1 do not appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of decidual vasculopathy in scleroderma.
Analgesic responses to morphine and placebo in individuals with postoperative pain

The effects of placebo and varying doses of intravenous morphine were studied in 74 patients. All patients underwent extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Two hours after onset of anesthesia all patients received a placebo (intravenous saline). One hour after the placebo administration each patient received either a second placebo or, 4, 6, 8 or 12 mg of morphine, double blind, via a hidden intravenous line. Pain level was evaluated 50 min after morphine administration using a visual analog scale. Pooled data from all patients produced a dose-response curve asymptotic by 8 mg. The mean pain relief following the second placebo was found to be between that obtained following hidden administration of 4 and 6 mg of morphine. When pain level reports for individuals were plotted two unexpected features appeared. First, no patient reported complete relief, even at the highest dose of morphine (12 mg). Second, pain level reports 50 min following each dose of morphine tended to be in two clusters. Within each cluster the average pain was independent of the dose of morphine administered. However, in groups receiving progressively higher doses of morphine, the percentage of patients within the low pain level cluster increased. These latter observations are most consistent with the concept that there is a step component for narcotic analgesia.
Organizational Position and Perceptions of Problems in a Nursing Home

This paper examines perceptions of problems expressed by persons living and working in a 100-bed skilled nursing home. Data were obtained from administrative staff, professional and nonprofessional nursing staffs, therapy staff, auxiliary staff, and residents by means of interview, observation, and analyses of records. The relationship between perceptions of problems and location within the organization and the scope and content of roles played was studied. We sought to ascertain the extent to which members agree or disagree with one another as to what are problems, to locate areas of agreement and disagreement, and to relate the results to the broader issue of the quality of care provided elderly institutionalized persons. Position and associated roles of members were found to be related to perceptions of problems. Differential perceptions of the numbers of problems and their priority were observed. Some problems were mentioned more frequently than others. Perceptions of problems varied both within and between organizational units. A person's location within the nursing home was related to the identification of problems as important and the frequency with which different problems were mentioned.
Numerical-symbolic exact irreducible decomposition of cyclic-12

In 1992, Goran Bjorck and Ralf Froberg completely characterized the solution set of cyclic-8. In 2001, Jean-Charles Faugere determined the solution set of cyclic-9, by computer algebra methods and Grobner basis computation. In this paper, a new theory in matrix analysis of rank-deficient matrices together with algorithms in numerical algebraic geometry enables us to present a symbolic-numerical algorithm to derive exactly the defining polynomials of all prime ideals of positive dimension in primary decomposition of cyclic-12. Empirical evidence together with rigorous proof establishes the fact that the positive-dimensional solution variety of cyclic-12 just consists of 72 quadrics of dimension one.
SH3 domains direct cellular localization of signaling molecules

In this study we describe the cellular distribution of the SH2 and SH3 domains of phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) and of the adaptor protein GRB2 following their microinjection into living rat embryo fibroblasts. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, we show that a truncated protein composed of the SH2 and SH3 domains of PLC-gamma was localized to the actin cytoskeleton. A similar localization pattern was observed when only the SH3 domain of PLC-gamma was microinjected. In contrast, a truncated protein composed of only the SH2 domains of PLC-gamma exhibited diffuse cytoplasmic distribution. Microinjected GRB2 protein was localized primarily to membrane ruffles, as was GRB2 protein containing SH2 loss-of-function point mutations. Hence, the localization of GRB2 to membrane ruffles does not require interaction with tyrosine-phosphorylated moieties. However, GRB2 proteins with SH3 loss-of-function point mutations exhibited diffuse cytoplasmic distribution. These results indicate that SH3 domains are responsible for the targeting of signaling molecules to specific subcellular locations.
The effects of temperature and fatty acid structure on lipid metabolism in bacillus licheniformis 9259

Temperature of growth or incubation of Bacillus licheniformis 9259 strongly affects the rate and extent of desaturation of palmitate to 10-hexadecenoate and to 5,10-hexadecadienoate and, in turn, the presence or absence of double bonds markedly influences further metabolsim. In growing cultures, desaturation of added [1-14C]palmitate was twice as great at 20 as at 35 °C. No diunsaturated acid was formed at 35 °C but was synthesized readily at 20 °C. Transfer of a culture from 35 to 20 °C had the same stimulatory effect on the rate of monodesaturation as did growth at 20 °C, but the rate of 5,10-hexadecadienoate formation in the transfer culture was only 10% of that in the culture growing at 20 °C. At both 35 and 20 °C esterification of added [1-14C]palnutate or 10-[9.10-3H]-hexadecenoate to neutral lipid (1, 2-diglyceride) was rapid. After initial esterification, however, neutral lipid activity steadily declined and phospholipid (chiefly phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine) increased at the expense of neutral lipid and at a rate related to fatty acid structure. Initial esterification to 1, 2-diglyceride was more rapid for the unsaturated acid but palmitate activity was transferred more rapidly from neutral lipid to phospholipid. Phospholipase A hydrolysis of individual phospholipids from B. licheniformis showed that n-C16 fatty acids were concentrated in the i-position of phosphatidyl-ethanolamine and in the 2-position of phosphatidylglycerol at both 35 and 20 °C, while anteiso-C15 was found almost exclusively in the 2-position of both phospholipids. Similar experiments were carried out on Bacillus megaterium phospholipids and several differences between the two organisms in fatty acid distribution among and within the phospholipids were noted.
First-principles theory of the luminescence lineshape for the triplet transition in diamond NV centres

In this work we present theoretical calculations and analysis of the vibronic structure of the spin-triplet optical transition in diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres. The electronic structure of the defect is described using accurate first-principles methods based on hybrid functionals. We devise a computational methodology to determine the coupling between electrons and phonons during an optical transition in the dilute limit. As a result, our approach yields a smooth spectral function of electron–phonon coupling and includes both quasi-localized and bulk phonons on equal footings. The luminescence lineshape is determined via the generating function approach. We obtain a highly accurate description of the luminescence band, including all key parameters such as the Huang–Rhys factor, the Debye–Waller factor, and the frequency of the dominant phonon mode. More importantly, our work provides insight into the vibrational structure of NV centres, in particular the role of local modes and vibrational resonances. In particular, we find that the pronounced mode at 65 meV is a vibrational resonance, and we quantify localization properties of this mode. These excellent results for the benchmark diamond (NV) centre provide confidence that the procedure can be applied to other defects, including alternative systems that are being considered for applications in quantum information processing.
Vaccination of mice with the protective F3G3 antigen of toxoplasma gondii activates Cd4+ but not Cd8+ T cells and induces toxoplasma specific IgG antibody

Abstract A major cytoplasmic Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii ) antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody F3G3 (F3G3-Ag), as well as two surface antigens recognized by monoclonal antibodies 2G11 and 1E11 respectively (2G11-Ag; 1E11-Ag), were isolated from crude Toxoplasma sonicates using affinity chromatography. Purified F3G3-Ag induced long term protection against Toxoplasma infection in mice and induced Toxoplasma specific IgG antibody. CD4 + but not CD8 + T cells from immune animals proliferated and produced IL-2 upon restimulation with either Toxoplasma sonicate or F3G3-Ag in vitro . Furthermore, CD4 + T cells from mice immunized with F3G3-Ag responded to purified 2G11- and 1E11-Ag. In contrast, CD4 + T cells from mice immunized with 2G11-Ag responded to Toxoplasma sonicate and 2G11-Ag, but not to F3G3- or 1E11-Ag. The results may indicate that the protective F3G3-Ag shares immunogenic epitopes present also on 2G11- and 1E11-Ag, since the F3G3-Ag used for the vaccination did not contain detectable amounts of 2G11-or 1E11-Ag, and none of the antigens displayed any mitogenicity. Taken together the results show that the cytoplasmic F3G3-Ag of T. gondii induces CD4 + T helper cells, Toxoplasma specific IgG antibodies and long term protection against Toxoplasma infection, but does not induce detectable sensitization of the CD8 + T cell compartment.
The cultivation of Coxsackie virus.

SummaryA Coxsackie virus, Minnesota 1 strain, following its isolation from a fecal sample of a patient with a clinical diagnosis of nonparalytic poliomyelitis, was maintained successfully for 24 successive passages in a tissue medium made up of minced embryonic mouse cells and Simm's UF/3×7 fluid.
Mach bands and depth adjacency

A luminance gradient was constructed consisting of four successive steps of decreasing luminance which were staggered in depth. With monocular viewing, all steps appeared in the same apparent depth plane, and clear Mach bands were visible. With binocular viewing, however, the steps appeared to be at different distances, and Mach bands were greatly attenuated or absent even though each monocular view contained an adequate stimulus for their perception. Implications of this finding for retinal accounts of brightness contrast effects are discussed.
The impact of family context, deviant attitudes, and emotional distress on adolescent drug use: Longitudinal latent-variable analyses of mothers and their children

Abstract This study examined the impact of family disruption, mothers' drug use, emotional distress, and somatic complaints upon their children's drug use, deviant attitudes, and emotional distress during early adolescence and also at late adolescence. Data were obtained independently from 557 mothers and their sons or daughters when the children were in Grade 7, 8, or 9. Data were collected again from the children 3 years later when they were in their late teenage years. Family Disruption and all of the mother constructs were significantly correlated in a positive direction. Mother Somatic Complaints and Mother Emotional Distress were not directly related to the child constructs; these effects were mediated through Family Disruption or Mother Drug Use. Mother Drug Use was significantly associated with their children's Drug Use, Socially Deviant Attitudes, and Emotional Distress during early adolescence. Mother Drug Use did not directly influence the child's qualities or behavior in late adolescence; these effects were mediated through the early adolescent constructs. Family Disruption was significantly related to the Child's Drug Use and Socially Deviant Attitudes during early adolescence and had a significant impact upon Emotional Distress at late adolescence. When all effects were considered simultaneously in a theoretically driven model, Socially Deviant Attitudes had the largest direct impact on early drug use, whereas the impact of the family context variables and the other child constructs on drug use was mediated through deviant attitudes. An alternate, competing hypothesis that child drug use generated child deviant attitudes was rejected empirically.