cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of magnesium on plasma cholinesterase activity

Plasma cholinesterase activity levels were studied in 15 pregnant patients with preeclampsia before and after the administration of therapeutic doses of magnesium sulfate. Plasma cholinesterase activity was also studied in 15 healthy nonpregnant and 15 healthy pregnant women. The mean plasma cholinesterase activity level in pregnant patients with preeclampsia before and after the administration of magnesium sulfate was 179 α 26 and 176 α 39 units/ml, respectively. The healthy nonpregnant patients and healthy pregnant patients had a plasma cholinesterase activity level of 426 α 85 and 264 α 24 units/ml, respectively. Our data demonstrated that magnesium has no significant effect on plasma cholinesterase activity. Our data also confirm that there is a significant reduction in plasma cholinesterase activity in pregnant patients with preeclampsia compared with either healthy nonpregnant or healthy pregnant patients. We conclude that the low level of plasma cholinesterase activity is probably responsible for the prolonged action of succinylcholine in pregnant patients with preeclampsia receiving magnesium sulfate.
Bedside Consultations and Battlefield Microbiology

Abstract Clinical microbiologists are unique laboratorians whose professional specialty transcends the borders of medicine and infectious diseases. While they are mainly laboratory oriented, because of the need for "on the spot" diagnosis of infectious complications in critically ill patients, clinical microbiologists should be able to provide hands-on consultative services from the bedside to the laboratory. Dynamic grasp of microbial subtleties, visualized in stained smears or other preparations, allows either definitive or presumptive diagnosis. When followed by traditional methods, these are the underpinnings for providing "battlefield microbiology."
7214 Gastrointestinal endoscopy at a large urban medical center v - use of conscious sedation for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (egd).

During the period of 1/97-4/99 767 EGD examinations were performed at Kings County Medical Center. All employed standard size video endoscopic equipment. 2 cases (0.2%) were done under general anesthesia. 227 (29.6%) of these examinations were performed without the use of any sedation. In 538 (70.1 %) conscious sedation was employed. Versed alone (mean dose=1.14mg) was used in 59.6 % of cases; 61.6% routine cases (mean=1.09 mg), and 55.3% emergency cases (mean=1.23mg). Versed and Demerol were given in 5.0 % of routine (mean=1.16 and 27.63mg, respectively) and 10.7 % of emergency cases (2.56 and 38.89 mg). Demerol alone was given in 0.7% of routine(mean 32.5 mg), and 1% of emergency cases (25 mg). Successful completion of examinations was achieved in 90.3% of those receiving no sedation and 87.9% of sedated patients. The mean age of unsedated patients was 57.1 years, while sedated patients were 53.5 years. 12.8% percent of unsedated patients were examined emergently. Choice of sedation could not be related to the indication for procedures. There were 2 complications (0.3%), both micro-perforations of the esophagus requiring no invasive treatment. Conclusions: 1. A major fraction of EGD were performed with no sedation. 2. In sedated patients, the dose of medications was minimal. 3. Completion rates were relatively low, but did not vary as a function of sedation at the doses given. 4. No patient experienced cardiopulmonary complications. 5. 90% of patients tolerated EGD using standard equipment in the absence of sedation.
Efficacy of Psychotropic Drugs for Reducing Self-Injurious Behavior in the Developmental Disabilities

AbstractSelf-injurious behavior (SIB) is a serious and moderately prevalent problem behavior among developmentally disabled persons, and it frequently leads to treatment with psychotropic medication. The empirical literature relating to the efficacy of pharmacological intervention is comprehensively reviewed. The rationales for using some “newer” agents, such as serotonin reuptake blockers, opiate blockers, and beta-adrenergic blockers are described. In general there are insufficient data to draw conclusions about specific agents. Evidence for a possible role in managing SIB is strongest for thioridazine, lithium carbonate, and the opiate antagonists. However, further research is needed to define the specific indications, if any, for each of these. Impediments to past research are discussed, possible refinements are offered for future research, and recommendations for treatment are offered.
Nanocrystal Molecules with Applications in Single Molecule Biological Imaging

Over the previous decade, new techniques emerged which permit the synthesis of inorganic nanocrystals with well controlled site and shape and even connectivity (branched) and topology (nested). These nanocrystals exhibit strangely size dependent properties, and can be considered a type of “artificial atom,” with controlled density of states. It is by now well established that these nanoparticles can be used in a wide variety of biological imaging applications. Our current work focuses on the creation of “nanocrystal molecules” in which specific groups of nanocrystals are brought together, producing a collective response. These nanocrystal molecules can, in turn, be used to sense biological events at the molecular lever and can form the basis of new types of local force sensors.
Smoke Plume Trajectory Modeling

Abstract A combination of numerical modeling and large-scale experimentation has yielded a tremendous amount of information about the structure, trajectory and composition of smoke plumes from large crude oil fires. A numerical model, a large outdoor fire plume trajectory (ALOFT), has been developed at NIST to predict the downwind concentration of smoke and other combustion products. The model is based on the fundamental conservation equations that govern the introduction of hot gases and particulate matter from a large fire into the atmosphere. The model has been used to estimate distances from fires under of variety of meteorological and topographic conditions where ground level concentrations of smoke and combustion products fall below regulatory threshold levels.
Stability of wide flange structural steel columns at elevated temperatures

Abstract There is a lack of understanding of how structural systems perform under realistic, uncontrolled fires. Fire protection of steel structures is usually provided through prescriptive requirements. The development of performance-based standards and tools requires explicit consideration of fire effects on structural components and systems. This paper presents a parametric study employing nonlinear material and geometric finite element analyses to model the response of wide flange steel column sections at elevated temperatures. The parametric study varied the axial load and cross-sectional slenderness of three lengths of column sections. The column sections were uniformly heated until they exhibited either inelastic or elastic buckling failure. Typically, cross-sectional slenderness is addressed through limiting the element (flange/web) width to thickness ratio, so only member buckling occurs. However, as members are heated, the modulus of elasticity and the yield strength are reduced, which (in effect) results in slender elements at elevated temperatures. Computational results illustrate the relationship between local slenderness in the web and/or flanges and the local and global buckling modes under varying load and temperature conditions.
Computational Analysis of Arc-Jet Stagnation Tests Including Ablation and Shape Change

Coupled fluid-material response analyses of arc-jet stagnation tests conducted in a NASA Ames Research Center arc-jet facility are considered. The fluid analysis includes computational Navier-Stokes simulations of the nonequilibrium flowfield in the facility nozzle and test box as well as the flowfield over the models. The material response analysis includes simulation of two-dimensional surface ablation and internal heat conduction, thermal decomposition, and pyrolysis gas flow. For ablating test articles including shape change, the material response and fluid analyses are coupled to take into account changes in surface heat flux and pressure distributions with shape. The ablating material used in these arc-jet tests was a phenolic impregnated carbon ablator. Computational predictions of surface recession, shape change, and material response are compared with the experimental measurements.
Ontogeny of four cell types in fetal rat islets using histochemical techniques

The pancreas of the fetal rat was collected from the first appearance of the pancreatic bud at 11 days of gestation, and every day thereafter until birth. After birth the neonatal pancreas was collected every day for one week, and at intervals thereafter. Fetal B-cells were stained with Gomori’s aldehyde fuchsin at 16 µ days, and with the immunofluorescent technique for insulin at 14 days. The A-cells were stained as early as 13 days using the fluorescent antibody technique for glucagon. The D-cells first stained at 17 days with pseudoisocyanin. A 4th cell type was found which stained black with silver nitrate, using a method derived from the Grimelius technique for A-cells. This 4th cell type appeared at 15 days in the fetus, reaching its greatest abundance around 19 days, and then declined in numbers after birth until adulthood, when occasionally one or two cells were found.
TEMPERATURE MODELING OF GaAs DCFL

Direct-Coupled FET Logic (DCFL) is an important logic family for LSI GaAs FET circuits because of its simple structure and good speed/power performance. Since it is especially sensitive to temperature shifts of performance, accurate temperature modeling is critical for design of DCFL circuits. Using a version of SPICE modified to include FET temperature dependence, the performance of DCFL is simulated over temperature and compared with measured results. In addition, an improved version of DCFL known as E-E Logic (Enhancement-Enhancement Logic) is modeled over temperature. The performance of E-E Logic is compared to DCFL with depletion-mode FET and saturated resistor loads over temperature. E-E Logic is found to offer improved yield, power dissipation and performance control compared to conventional DCFL.
Immunocytochemical localization of midbrain estrogen receptor- and progestin receptor-containing cells in female guinea pigs

In the guinea pig midbrain, a low concentration of progestin receptors is induced by estradiol. This is in contrast to the mediobasal hypothalamus which has a large number of estradiol-induced progestin receptors. Because the midbrain is an important site for the hormonal regulation of sexual behavior, we mapped the distribution of cells containing estrogen receptor- and estradiol-induced progestin receptor-immunoreactivity in that area. Estrogen receptor-immunoreactive cells are found in midbrain sites previously reported, including the midbrain central gray, the tegmentum lateral and ventral to the central gray, peripeduncular region, and parabrachial nuclei. While progestin receptor-immunoreactive cells were not detected without estradiol priming, estradiol-induced progestin receptors were found throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the midbrain central gray and adjacent tegmental area. Progestin receptor-immunoreactive cells were far fewer than estrogen receptor containing cells, had less cytoplasmic staining, and appeared restricted to the midbrain central gray, lateral and ventrolateral to the cerebral aqueduct and the adjacent tegmental area. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
DQAsome-mediated delivery of plasmid DNA toward mitochondria in living cells

DQAsomes are mitochondriotropic cationic 'bola-lipid'-based vesicles, which have been developed by us for the transport of drugs and DNA to mitochondria in living cells. This has made direct mitochondrial gene therapy feasible for the very first time. Our strategy for the delivery of DNA into the matrix of mitochondria is based upon the DQAsomal transport of a DNA-signal peptide conjugate to mitochondria, the selective liberation of this conjugate from DQAsomes at the mitochondrial membrane followed by DNA uptake via the mitochondrial protein import machinery. Using membrane-mimicking liposomes and isolated rat liver mitochondria we have shown earlier that DQAsome-DNA complexes (DQAplexes) selectively release pDNA when in contact with mitochondria-like membranes. Employing a newly developed protocol for selectively staining free pDNA in the cytosol of living cells and based on confocal fluorescence microscopic imaging we demonstrate here that DQAplexes appear to be able to escape from endosomes without loosing their pDNA load and transport the pDNA to the site of mitochondria at which at least a portion of the pDNA is released from its DQAsomal carrier. Free pDNA could not be detected anywhere else inside the cytosol of transfected cells demonstrating the target-selectivity of DQAsome-mediated DNA delivery to mitochondria.
Immediate and subsequent growth responses of maize leaves to changes in water status.

Elongation of intact young leaves of maize was found to be dynamically dependent on soil water supply. With adequate water, elongation was remarkably constant but slowed when the water potential of the soil in pots dropped from -0.1 to -0.2 bar and stopped when it dropped to -2.5 bars. The corresponding range of leaf water potential was -2.8 to -7 bars. Elongation resumed in less than a few seconds after a mildly water-stressed plant was rewatered.The effects on leaf elongation of step-wise changes in water potential of the root solution were determined. When the water potential of the root medium suddenly decreased below 0 bar, growth stopped initially and then resumed at a lower rate. When the water potential was suddenly increased back to 0 bar, growth accelerated transitorily to a high rate before slowing to the steady state rate. These results suggest an increase in cell extensibility during water stress.Leaves stressed for 1 or more days attained after rewatering almost the length of the control leaves. Growth rate after rewatering did not exceed that of the control at the corresponding developmental stage except during the short transitory rapid phase lasting only a fraction of an hour.As stress developed, growth stopped before carbon dioxide assimilation decreased noticeably. Upon the release of mild and short stress, the transitory rapid growth completely made up for the reduced elongation during stress, suggesting that metabolic processes for cell expansion might have proceeded unchecked during the stress period.The sensitivity and rapidity of response to changes in water status all point to the direct role of water in growth; its uptake provides the physical force for cell enlargement.
A new diagnosis in children: The post-thrombotic syndrome

Abstract In childhood, the incidence of venous thrombosis is increasing, resulting in a growing number of children with complications of this disease, such as the post-thrombotic syndrome. Diagnosis of the post-thrombotic syndrome is based on the presence of typical symptoms and signs. Using standardized clinical criteria, pediatric studies show that the frequency of the post-thrombotic syndrome after symptomatic and asymptomatic venous thrombosis is 50 to 65%. Most post-thrombotic signs and symptoms are mild, including swelling, collateral veins and pain and/or heaviness in the affected extremity. Moderate post-thrombotic syndrome occurs in 10% of the pediatric patients after symptomatic venous thrombosis and includes swelling, collateral veins, telangiectases, malleolar flare, and pigmentation of the skin and complains of heaviness or pain in the affected leg while standing or walking. Potential risk factors for development of the post-thrombotic syndrome are recurrent, ipsilateral venous thrombosis, and the extent of the initial thrombus and clot lysis. The best method to prevent the syndrome is to prevent the initial thrombosis. The efficacy of compression stockings after venous thrombosis in preventing the post-thrombotic syndrome is unknown and needs to be evaluated in children.
Public sector management improvement in sub‐saharan Africa: The world bank experience

During the 1980s, the World Bank paid increasing attention to Public Sector Management (PSM), particularly to free-standing loans for institutional development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). So far, based upon a recent study of 19 of these SSA projects, more ambitious PSM efforts have usually failed, although modest achievements have been recorded in some countries. The World Bank needs to intensify its efforts, combining civil service reform with strengthening economic and financial management and donor coordination. However, the Bank must constantly assess and insist upon the borrower's commitment.
Influenza Vaccine in Health Care Professionals: A Three Year Effectiveness Trial ♦ 930

Introduction/Methods There are limited and conflicting data regarding the effectiveness of influenza (flu) vaccine in health care professionals (HCP), which may account for its relatively low use in this population. We conducted a randomized, prospective, double-blind controlled trial of trivalent flu vaccine in young HCP from 1992 to 1995. Each year, subjects were randomized to receive influenza or control vaccine; sera for hemagglutinin-inhibiting antibody (Ab) were obtained pre-vaccine in November, post-vaccine in December, and post flu season in May of the following year. During the influenza epidemic period (Jan to Apr), active weekly surveillance for illness was conducted. An intention to treat analysis was used.
Activation of a ras-MAPK-dependent pathway by Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 is essential for cellular transformation.

Abstract The latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is the only EBV protein which possesses the properties of an oncogene. In studies initiated to evaluate the mechanisms involved in EBV-induced malignant transformation, the extracellular response kinase (ERK) 1/2 were found to be activated 2 days after EBV infection of purified resting human B cells. Transfection studies in Rat-1 fibroblasts, an established rodent cell line, showed that LMP1 mediates ERK 1/2 activation. Cotransfection experiments with a dominant negative ras mutant demonstrated that such MAPK activation occurs via a ras-dependent pathway. Finally, cotransfection studies showed that ras activation is required for LMP-1-mediated malignant transformation of Rat-1 cells.
THE LANGUAGE OF THE FAN: A COMPOSITE OBJECT CASE STUDY

Owing to its significant provenance, a damaged eighteenth-century paper fan was selected for display at the Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. The decorative elements included discolored lead white paint, cupped iron gall ink drawing, and corroded tin-plated copper sequins. The structure and material composition of the fan precluded aqueous treatments. The project encompassed material analysis, structural repair and mount design. Alternatives to wheat starch paste were proposed to limit moisture in mending the tears. The visual and mechanical properties of solvent-activated and pressure-sensitive adhesives were evaluated using mock-ups. The final step in preparing the fan for exhibition was to design an appropriate storage and display mount.
Early Advocates of Music Education for the Hearing Impaired: William Wolcott Turner and David Ely Bartlett

Published histories of music education do not often recognize early instances of music for handicapped students. Music for the hearing impaired is more obscure than for most handicapping conditions...
The Hierarchical Structure of DSM-5 Pathological Personality Traits

A multidimensional trait system has been proposed for representing personality disorder (PD) features in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to address problematic classification issues such as comorbidity. In this model, which may also assist in providing scaffolding for the underlying structure of major forms of psychopathology more generally, 25 primary traits are organized by 5 higher order dimensions: Negative Affect, Detachment, Antagonism, Disinhibition, and Psychoticism. We examined (a) the generalizability of the structure proposed for DSM-5 PD traits, and (b) the potential for an integrative hierarchy based upon DSM-5 PD traits to represent the dimensions scaffolding psychopathology more generally. A large sample of student participants (N 2,461) completed the Personality Inventory for DSM-5, which operationalizes the DSM-5 traits. Exploratory factor analysis replicated the initially reported 5-factor structure, as indicated by high factor congruencies. The 2-, 3-, and 4-factor solutions estimated in the hierarchy of the DSM-5 traits bear close resemblance to existing models of common mental disorders, temperament, and personality pathology. Thus, beyond the description of individual differences in personality disorder, the trait dimensions might provide a framework for the metastructure of psychopathology in the DSM-5 and the integration of a number of ostensibly competing models of personality trait covariation.
Characterization of Vorticella convallaria calcium‐binding centrin proteins

The stalked ciliate, Vorticella convallaria, is a good model system to study mechanochemical motility because its contractile organelles (spasmoneme and myonemes) use a mode of contraction that differs from most other eukaryotic motile systems. Since calcium triggers this contraction, we have undertaken the molecular characterization of the calcium-binding proteins associated with these organelles. We have isolated and identified seven unique centrin-like cDNAs from V. convallaria. Each encodes an acidic protein of approximately 20-kDa, containing a unique N-terminus and four potential calcium-binding domains. We predict that each centrin has a distinct function within the cell. To define these functions, we have initiated immunofluorescence localization studies utilizing various anti-centrin antibodies. Western analysis indicates that each antibody recognizes a distinct protein or subset of proteins in Vorticella. Using these antibodies, we have localized centrin to various structures within the cell; myonemes, spasmoneme, and the oral apparatus. Because each of these antibodies recognizes a different protein on Westerern analysis, we conclude that a number of calcium-binding proteins are associated with the contractile organelles. To further characterize this gene family, we have initiated immunolocalization at the ultrastructural level. This will permit subcellular localization of all Vorticella centrins and enable us to dissect the function of this multi-gene family.
The Personality Inventory for Children: Differential Diagnosis in School Settings

Differential diagnosis of the PIC-Shortened Form was assessed in four educational settings (regular education, learning disabilities placements, mental disabilities placements, emotional disabilities placements) using children assigned to each option. Analysis of responses provided by biological mothers resulted in specific profiles for each group on clinical scales, validity scales, and broad-band factor scales. Application of the instrument in educational decision making is discussed.
Functional characterization of the rat GAP-43 promoter

Abstract GAP-43 is a highly conserved neuronal protein whose expression is spatially and temporally regulated. Because this regulation may occur, at least in part, at the level of transcription, we have begun to characterize the regions upstream of the GAP-43 transcription unit which direct its neuronal-specific expression. Functional analyses of GAP-43 promoter-reporter constructs have been performed in stably transfected cell lines, including PC12, C6 and RAT2. These data indicate that as little as 600 bp of GAP-43 5′-flanking DNA sequence directs the expression in a neuronal-specific manner. A shorter construct containing 230 bp of 5′-flanking DNA sequence defines a GAP-43 minimal promoter that is active in both neuronal and glial but not in non-neural cell lines. An upstream region, previously shown by other investigators to have promoter activity, was able to stimulate transcription when linked to the downstream minimal promoter. However, this upstream region was by itself unable to direct transcription of the reporting gene. In addition, we have demonstrated that two polypurine tracts within the 5′-flanking DNA sequence of the GAP-43 gene adopt a non-duplex configuration in plasmids, and, when studied in the context of chromosomal integration, these regions have a stimulatory effect on transcription.
The impact of common mode currents on signal integrity and EMI in high-speed differential data links

The high-speed, differential signals in todaypsilas multi-board systems often carry significant amounts of common mode current. Neglecting the common mode currents can produce unrealistic signal integrity and electromagnetic simulation results. A couple cases will be shown that illustrate the impact of common mode currents and mode conversion on the signal integrity of a link path. Effective and accurate methods for quantifying the amount of common mode current, the amount of inductance in the common mode current return path, and the impact of the common mode noise on the differential signal are proposed to ensure better design practices.
Photoplethysmograph Signal Reconstruction based on a Novel Motion Artifact Detection-Reduction Approach. Part II: Motion and Noise Artifact Removal

We introduce a new method to reconstruct motion and noise artifact (MNA) contaminated photoplethysmogram (PPG) data. A method to detect MNA corrupted data is provided in a companion paper. Our reconstruction algorithm is based on an iterative motion artifact removal (IMAR) approach, which utilizes the singular spectral analysis algorithm to remove MNA artifacts so that the most accurate estimates of uncorrupted heart rates (HRs) and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) values recorded by a pulse oximeter can be derived. Using both computer simulations and three different experimental data sets, we show that the proposed IMAR approach can reliably reconstruct MNA corrupted data segments, as the estimated HR and SpO2 values do not significantly deviate from the uncorrupted reference measurements. Comparison of the accuracy of reconstruction of the MNA corrupted data segments between our IMAR approach and the time-domain independent component analysis (TD-ICA) is made for all data sets as the latter method has been shown to provide good performance. For simulated data, there were no significant differences in the reconstructed HR and SpO2 values starting from 10 dB down to −15 dB for both white and colored noise contaminated PPG data using IMAR; for TD-ICA, significant differences were observed starting at 10 dB. Two experimental PPG data sets were created with contrived MNA by having subjects perform random forehead and rapid side-to-side finger movements show that; the performance of the IMAR approach on these data sets was quite accurate as non-significant differences in the reconstructed HR and SpO2 were found compared to non-contaminated reference values, in most subjects. In comparison, the accuracy of the TD-ICA was poor as there were significant differences in reconstructed HR and SpO2 values in most subjects. For non-contrived MNA corrupted PPG data, which were collected with subjects performing walking and stair climbing tasks, the IMAR significantly outperformed TD-ICA as the former method provided HR and SpO2 values that were non-significantly different than MNA free reference values.
Phaseless bi-polar planar near-field measurements and diagnostics of array antennas

Antenna near-field measurements typically require very accurate measurement of the near-field phase. There are applications where an accurate phase measurement may not be practically achievable. Phaseless measurements are beginning to emerge as an alternative microwave antenna measurements technique when phase cannot be directly measured. There are many important aspects for successful implementation of a phaseless measurement algorithm. This paper presents appropriate phaseless measurement requirements and a phase retrieval algorithm tailored for the bi-polar planar near-field antenna measurement technique. Two amplitude measurements and a squared amplitude optimal sampling interpolation method are integrated with an iterative Fourier procedure to first retrieve the phase information and then construct both the far-field pattern and diagnostic characteristics of the antenna under test. In order to critically examine the methodologies developed in this paper, phaseless measurement results for two different array antennas are presented and compared to results obtained when the near-field amplitude and phase are directly measured.
Radar target identification

The authors discuss the aspects of the radar target/identification problem which have made progress slow and difficult. They summarize their research program and discuss the mathematical foundations for solving the problem. To simplify the discussion, only aircraft-type targets are considered, and clutter is ignored. Target-library problems, are examined in some detail, including the proposed use of scattering-center models to mitigate problems and related electromagnetic-modeling considerations. >
Implementation of a college selection system with SPITBOL

The prospective college student finds it necessary to spend hours of time looking for the school which will meet his needs. With today's increased use of computers, this searching problem can be eased by the development of an information retrieval system for college selection data. The enormous amount of data required for each college requires that storage be efficiently utilized The query structure requires that data be in a suitable format for easy retreival by the user. These two restrictions placed on the data must now be effectively combined.
The Promise of Civil Society: a Global Movement for Communication Rights

The essays in this issue are based on a research colloquium that took place on 5–7 May 2003 in the cities of Padova and Venice, Italy. Sponsored by the University of Padova, the colloquium theme wa...
Renormalization of loop functions for all loops

It is shown that the vacuum expectation values $W({C}_{1},\ensuremath{\cdots},{C}_{n})$ of products of the traces of the path-ordered phase factors $P\mathrm{exp}[ig\ensuremath{\oint}\ensuremath{\int}{{C}_{i}}^{}{\mathit{A}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}(x)d{x}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}]$ are multiplicatively renormalizable in all orders of perturbation theory. Here ${\mathit{A}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}(x)$ are the vector gauge field matrices in the non-Abelian gauge theory with gauge group $\mathrm{U}(N)$ or $\mathrm{SU}(N)$, and ${C}_{i}$ are loops (closed paths). When the loops are smooth (i.e., differentiable) and simple (i.e., non-self-intersecting), it has been shown that the generally divergent loop functions $W$ become finite functions $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{W}$ when expressed in terms of the renormalized coupling constant and multiplied by the factors ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}KL({C}_{i})}$, where $K$ is linearly divergent and $L({C}_{i})$ is the length of ${C}_{i}$. It is proved here that the loop functions remain multiplicatively renormalizable even if the curves have any finite number of cusps (points of nondifferentiability) or cross points (points of self-intersection). If ${C}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ is a loop which is smooth and simple except for a single cusp of angle $\ensuremath{\gamma}$, then ${W}_{R}({C}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}})=Z(\ensuremath{\gamma})\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{W}({C}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}})$ is finite for a suitable renormalization factor $Z(\ensuremath{\gamma})$ which depends on $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ but on no other characteristic of ${C}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$. This statement is made precise by introducing a regularization, or via a loop-integrand subtraction scheme specified by a normalization condition ${W}_{R}({\overline{C}}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}})=1$ for an arbitrary but fixed loop ${\overline{C}}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$. Next, if ${C}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ is a loop which is smooth and simple except for a cross point of angles $\ensuremath{\beta}$, then $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{W}({C}_{\ensuremath{\beta}})$ must be renormalized together with the loop functions of associated sets ${{S}^{i}}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}={{{C}^{i}}_{1},\ensuremath{\cdots},{{C}^{i}}_{\mathrm{pi}}}$ ($i=2,\ensuremath{\cdots},I$) of loops ${{C}^{i}}_{q}$ which coincide with certain parts of ${C}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}\ensuremath{\equiv}{{C}_{1}}^{1}$. Then ${W}_{R}({{S}^{i}}_{\ensuremath{\beta}})={Z}^{\mathrm{ij}}(\ensuremath{\beta})\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{W}({{S}^{j}}_{\ensuremath{\beta}})$ is finite for a suitable matrix ${Z}^{\mathrm{ij}}(\ensuremath{\beta})$. Finally, for a loop with $r$ cross points of angles ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{1},\ensuremath{\cdots},{\ensuremath{\beta}}_{r}$ and $s$ cusps of angles ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{1},\ensuremath{\cdots},{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{s}$, the corresponding renormalization matrices factorize locally as ${Z}^{{i}_{1}{j}_{1}}({\ensuremath{\beta}}_{1})\ensuremath{\cdots}{Z}^{{i}_{r}{j}_{r}}({\ensuremath{\beta}}_{r})Z({\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{1})\ensuremath{\cdots}Z({\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{s})$.
Sheath overlap during large scale plasma source ion implantation

Summary form only given. We are investigating experimentally the effects of sheath overlap during plasma source ion implantation of a large workpiece of complex geometry. The workpiece consists of 1000 aluminum, automotive piston surrogates mounted on 4 racks; total surface area is over 16 m/sup 2/. The 4 racks are positioned parallel to each other, 0.25 m apart, in an 8 m/sup 3/ vacuum chamber. The racks of pistons are immersed in a capacitive RF plasma, with an argon gas pressure of 0.1-0.6 mtorr. We implant the pistons with the plasma ions by repeatedly pulse biasing the workpiece to 20 kV for 20 /spl mu/sec. The plasma behavior during the pulse is monitored with a Langmuir probe placed in between 2 racks of pistons. At plasma densities less than 10/sup 15/ m/sup -3/ and low gas pressures, the sheaths between the racks of pistons overlap, resulting in non-uniform implantation of the plasma ions. In addition, sheath overlap causes a drop in the plasma potential between the racks of pistons. This reduces both the measured ion current to the workpiece and the energy of the implanted ions. At gas pressures of 0.5-0.6 mtorr, we observe the creation of a high density DC discharge in the potential well. The discharge is induced by ionization of the source gas by secondary electrons. While this produces a two order-of-magnitude increase in the measured ion current, the implantation energy is still low. We model the sheath behavior with the two-dimensional, particle-in-cell code XPDP2.
Urethral diverticula in young girls

Five cases of urethral diverticulum in young girls are herein presented. None of these children had associated local infections, unlike what is generally the case in adult women with a similar lesion. Three girls experienced spontaneous regression of the diverticulum. Therefore, unless the diverticulum causes clinical problems, postponement of surgical intervention is advised.
A fast digital cluster finder and processor for high energy physics

The authors discuss a generic fast digital cluster finder and processor for high-energy physics. The processor is a hardwired processor dedicated to trigger processing in a typical modern high energy physics experiment. Programmable logic and programmable gate arrays are used extensively. This allows improvements to be made without wiring changes. User loadable lookup tables are used where possible to allow custom tweaking of the data processing. Examples from both ZEUS and SDC are given to show how the basic architecture can be customized to these applications. >
Evaluation of three commercial enzyme immunoassays compared with the 13C urea breath test for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection.

The diagnostic significance of the serological detection of antibodies to Helicobacter pylori has been established by numerous investigators. Reports of the clinical reliabilities of commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits available for this purpose vary as a result of the different H. pylori antigen sources and reference methods used. The 13C urea breath test (UBT) has been shown to be an extremely accurate and reliable method of detecting H. pylori infection. We used the 13C urea breath test as the confirmatory method for H. pylori status to evaluate three commercially available EIA kits designed to detect immunoglobulin G antibodies to H. pylori. These kits were the HM-CAP EIA kit (Enteric Products, Inc.), the PYLORI STAT EIA kit (BioWhittaker, Inc.), and the G.A.P. kit (Bio-Rad Laboratories/Biomerica, Inc.). The evaluations were performed in a double-blind manner with samples from 473 clinically characterized patients. This group included patients with symptomatic gastrointestinal disorders as well as nonsymptomatic volunteers. The sensitivities of the kits were as follows: HM-CAP, 98.4%; PYLORI STAT, 99.2%; and G.A.P., 100%. The specificities were as follows: HM-CAP, 96.4%; PYLORI STAT, 90.1%; and G.A.P., 26.0%. Although the HM-CAP and PYLORI STAT kits performed comparably, the G.A.P. test yielded significantly more false-positive results and an unacceptably high number of indeterminate results.
Antioxidant Effects of Sesamol Released from Polymeric Films on Lipid Oxidation in Linoleic Acid and Oat Cereal

The antioxidant effects of sesamol films were evaluated using a food simulant (linoleic acid) and a real food (oat cereal). Sesamol was melt blended with high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate resins using co-extrusion to produce sesamol films of multilayer structure; for comparison, films containing butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) or no additive (as control) were also produced. At least 60% of the initial amount of sesamol remained in the films after extrusion. The release of sesamol from the sesamol films was about six times faster at 30°C than at 10°C. The antioxidant effectiveness of sesamol and BHT was evaluated on the basis of induction period of lipid oxidation, conjugated dienes (for linoleic acid), hexanal (for oat breakfast) and sensory evaluation. Compared with the control film, the sesamol films extended the induction period of linoleic acid by five and eight times at 40°C and 23°C, respectively. After 12 month storage at 23°C, hexanal formation was 59% less in cereal packaged with sesamol films than that packaged with control film. Rancid odours were detected in cereal packaged with control films, but not with sesamol or BHT films. The incorporation of sesamol had only slight effects on tensile properties and transparency. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nobody farms here anymore: Livelihood diversification in the Amazonian community of Carvão, a historical perspective

Over the past 15 years income sources in the Amazonian community of Carvao have diversified to include government salaries, retirement and welfare benefits, and wages from an evolving informal service sector. These non-farm incomes are now more important to household incomes than the sale of agricultural products. Out of 80 households only three families were found to depend almost entirely on the sale of agricultural goods for cash income. Agriculture is still a part of most families’ livelihoods; however, production today is mainly a subsistence activity. Recent changes in Carvao are consistent with trends of livelihood diversification observed in rural societies across the globe. However, current research reveals that Carvao is different from other case studies in a number of ways. A history of livelihoods illustrates that residents in Carvao have always engaged in a range of activities, including farming, extractive activities, and wage labor. New incomes are the result of new jobs in the public sector and social policies benefiting the rural poor. In contrast to the literature on livelihood diversification, the decentralization of the federal government in Brazil has resulted in greater opportunities for rural income and employment. Consistent with recorded trends, research shows that small farmers in Carvao have down-sized agricultural production. Farmers cite low market prices (the result of vertical integration of local markets) as one cause of this decline. Residents, especially small farmers, interested in diversifying agricultural production are limited by inadequate extension services and credit, and younger residents seek public sector employment. Income diversification has increased livelihoods security; however, future livelihoods will depend on new economic growth. Given the stagnating public sector and a weak industrial sector, production geared toward growing urban markets is a viable means for further income generation in Carvao.
The effects of system design alternatives on the acquisition of tax knowledge from a computerized tax decision aid

Accounting firms are intensifying their reliance on experiential learning, and experience increasingly involves the use of computerized decision aids [Messier, W. (1995) Research in and development of audit decision aids. In R. H. Ashton & A. H. Ashton, Judgment and decision making in accounting and auditing (pp. 207‐230). New York: Cambridge University Press]. Accountants are expected to learn from automated decision aid use, because the aids are not always available when dealing with the aid’s topical matter, and the knowledge inherent in the aid is needed for competency on broader issues. To facilitate knowledge acquisition and explain the logic of the underlying processes, computerized decision aids provide the rationale for their calculations in the form of online explanations. We study how the location of explanations in a computerized decision aid aAects learning from its use. Specifically, this research extends the existing literature by using a framework for the study of learning from decision aid use and by using cognitive load theory to explain the failure of certain decision aid design alternatives to promote learning. We define learning as the acquisition of problem-type schemata, and an experiment is performed in which cognitive load is manipulated by the placement of explanations in a computerized tax decision aid to determine its eAect on schema acquisition. Schemata are general knowledge structures used for basic comprehension, and cognitive load refers to the burden placed on working memory when acquiring schemata. We find that increased cognitive load produced by the location of explanations in a decision aid leads to reduced schema acquisition. Our results indicate that when explanations in a computerized decision aid are integrated into its problem solving steps, cognitive load is reduced and users acquire more knowledge from aid use. This appears to be an important design consideration for accounting firms buying or building computerized decision aids. # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
High voltage breakdown of solid epoxies at room temperature and in liquid nitrogen

With the development of high temperature superconductors (HTS) in flexible tape form, work has rapidly moved toward high voltage power applications such as HTS power cables, transformers, and fault current limiters. Generic to the design of these devices is the use of solid dielectric material that can hold off high voltages in combination with either vacuum or liquid nitrogen. Several types of epoxies have been screened by subjecting them to "dunk" tests in liquid nitrogen to determine which materials would not crack after immersion. Materials that survived the dunk tests were further tested for dielectric strength at room temperature and at 77 K. Stycast/sup /spl reg// 2850 FT/24 LV catalyst was found to decrease slightly in strength at 77 K while the Araldite/sup /spl reg// CY 5808/HY 5808 hardener and Stycast/sup /spl reg// 2850 KT/11 catalyst significantly increased. These materials are found to follow a Weibull distribution.
Development of a Matrix Tool for the Prediction of Vibrio Species in Oysters Harvested from North Carolina

The United States has federal regulations in place to reduce the risk of seafood-related infection caused by the estuarine bacteria Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. However, data to support the development of regulations have been generated in a very few specific regions of the nation. More regionally specific data are needed to further understand the dynamics of human infection relating to shellfish-harvesting conditions in other areas. In this study, oysters and water were collected from four oyster harvest sites in North Carolina over an 11-month period. Samples were analyzed for the abundances of total Vibrio spp., V. vulnificus, and V. parahaemolyticus; environmental parameters, including salinity, water temperature, wind velocity, and precipitation, were also measured simultaneously. By utilizing these data, preliminary predictive management tools for estimating the abundance of V. vulnificus bacteria in shellfish were developed. This work highlights the need for further research to elucidate the full suite of factors that drive V. parahaemolyticus abundance.
The budding yeast spindle pole body: structure, duplication, and function.

▪ Abstract Nucleation of microtubules by eukaryotic microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) is required for a variety of functions, including chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis, cytokinesis, fertilization, cellular morphogenesis, cell motility, and intracellular trafficking. Analysis of MTOCs from different organisms shows that the structure of these organelles is widely varied even though they all share the function of microtubule nucleation. Despite their morphological diversity, many components and regulators of MTOCs, as well as principles in their assembly, seem to be conserved. This review focuses on one of the best-characterized MTOCs, the budding yeast spindle pole body (SPB). We review what is known about its structure, protein composition, duplication, regulation, and functions. In addition, we discuss how studies of the yeast SPB have aided investigation of other MTOCs, most notably the centrosome of animal cells.
Discovering and Counting Biomedical Verbs

In the biomedical domain verbs tend to be drawn from a smaller and more regular vocabulary than standard English and are especially informative for predicting the semantic class of the entities involved. With this motivation we investigate the discovery and counting of verbs in the biomedical domain by applying part-of-speech tagging and unsupervised morphological analysis. Our goal is to automatically discover an almost complete set of relevant verbs and group lexical variants of the same verb into semantic classes. Additionally, we analyze differences in verb usage between biomedical and standard English, and between general biomedical texts and a specific sub domain. This verb frequency data can serve as a basis for named entity recognition in biomedical texts.
Same Battle, Different War: Religious Movements in American State Politics

The Christian Right is a long-standing social movement with a reputation for mobilization and activism at all levels of American politics. The Christian Progressive movement is a manifestation of religiously motivated political activity largely opposed to the policy goals of the Christian Right. Some have questioned, however, whether Christian Progressives have the internal cohesion to mobilize voters, activists, and movement organizations toward their policy goals. In this article, I update an existing measure of Christian Right influence and introduce a parallel measure for Christian Progressives. Analyses of these indices show that the Christian Progressive movement is visible and active in many states, though not the engine of influence that the Christian Right remains.