cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mail Surveys of Reluctant Professionals

This article discusses procedures for improving cooperation to mail questionnaires of professional groups. Some of the methods proposed differ from those used with general populations. The procedur...
Dynamic response of structures with uncertain damping

Abstract The uncertainty associated with damping in structural systems is identified and discussed. A second-order perturbation technique is utilized to examine the effects of damping variability on the transient and steady-state dynamic response of structural systems. The results demonstrate that the uncertainty in damping indeed influences the system response. The effects are more pronounced for higher variability of damping values.
Capturing vulnerability variations for register files

Soft error rates are estimated based on worst-case architectural vulnerability factor (AVF). Therefore, it makes tracking real-time accurate AVF very attractive to computer designers: more accurate AVF numbers will allow turning on more features at runtime while keeping the promised SDC and DUE rates. This paper presents a hardware mechanism based on linear regressions to estimate the AVF (SDC and DUE) of the register file for out-of-order cores. Our results show that we are able to have a high correlation factor at low cost.
On the rate of growth of the Means Mp of holomorphic and pluriharmonic functions on the ball

A. If u E bP and v is a harmonic conjugate of then b”. Theorem A was proved by using a result due to Duren et al. 12, Theorem 51 concerning fractional derivatives and fractional integrals of functions in BP. Iff(z) = CpZO a k zk is holomorphic in D and /? > 0, then the fractional derivative ft4’ and fractional integral fib, of order /? are defined, respectively, by and
On the formation of metallic glasses based on U, Np or Pu

Abstract Thirteen new metallic glasses based on near-eutectic alloys rich in U, Np or Pu have been prepared by two different liquid quench techniques. These results along with those previously obtained on other actinide systems, indicates that a large number of the early actinide alloys, especially those based on U, will readily form metallic glasses. The high glass forming tendencies of these alloys is a result of several favorable factors: the anomalously low melting temperatures of U, Np and Pu. the unusually high viscosity of the liquids at the melting points, and the tendency to form complex crystal structures under equilibrium cooling. These factors are believed to be a consequence of the sizable 5f-electron contribution to bonding in the early actinide alloys. The Ac-Ac distances, as determined from X-ray diffraction of the metallic glasses, are also reported and agree well with the atomic sizes of the elements based on a coordination number of 12.
CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE GROWTH OF DISPLACED NORMAL TISSUE.

We are unwilling to draw any very definite conclusions from the experiments, partly because they show a survival of implanted skin of so much shorter duration than that which seems to occur in the case of spontaneous implantation cysts, and partly because the method of reexposing the submerged grafts is rather a crude way of testing their vitality. Nevertheless, the following points seem clear: 1. The repeated transplantation of a piece of skin from one animal to another confers no exceptional power of growth upon that skin. 2. The repeated implantation of skin into one animal decreases, if anything, its receptivity for such grafts. 3. The burial of skin in the interior of the body causes, after a time, a change in the skin of such a nature that it cannot resume its normal function as an external covering tissue, even when its circulation \ is well maintained and it is buried in the body of the same animal. The experiments do not determine how long the cells of the skin actually remain alive, and indeed it is conceivable that the mere maceration of the protective horny layer puts the skin, when reexposed, into the position of a moist tissue, such as the intestinal mucosa, so that it readily dries up and succumbs. Nor do the experiments throw any light upon the possible existence of cytolytic substances in the circulating fluids, although, naturally, the idea of such an action has always been present in our minds in observing the gradual loss of vitality in the transplanted tissues.
Role of IGF signaling in catch-up growth and accelerated temporal development in zebrafish embryos in response to oxygen availability

Animals respond to adverse environments by slowing down or arresting growth and development. Upon returning to normal conditions, they often show compensatory acceleration in growth and developmental rate. This phenomenon, known as `catch-up' growth, is widely documented in the animal kingdom. The underlying molecular mechanisms, however, are poorly understood. Using the zebrafish embryo as an experimental model system, we tested the hypothesis that changes in IGF signaling activities play an important role in the accelerated growth and temporal development resulting from re-oxygenation following hypoxia. We show that chronic hypoxia reduced, and re-oxygenation accelerated, embryonic growth and developmental rate. Whereas hypoxia repressed the Igf1 receptor and its downstream Erk1/2 and Akt signaling activities, re-oxygenation restored their activities. Specific inhibition of Igf1 receptor signaling during re-oxygenation by genetic and pharmacological approaches attenuated catch-up growth. Further analysis showed that whereas PI3K-Akt is required in both normal and catch-up growth, Mek1/2-Erk1/2 activation induced by elevated IGF signaling during re-oxygenation is particularly crucial for catch-up growth. These results suggest that the evolutionarily conserved IGF signaling pathway coordinates growth and temporal development in zebrafish embryos in response to oxygen availability.
Unsteady Thermocapillary Migration of Isolated Drops in Creeping Flow

The problem of an isolated immiscible drop that slowly migrates due to unsteady thermocapillary stresses is considered. All physical properties except for interfacial tension are assumed constant for the two Newtonian fluids. Explicit expressions are found for the migration rate and stream functions in the Laplace domain. The resulting microgravity theory is useful, e.g., in predicting the distance a drop will migrate due to an impulsive interfacial temperature gradient as well as the time required to attain steady flow conditions from an initially resting state.
Ion Channels and Amino Acid Transporters Support the Growth and Invasion of Primary Brain Tumors

The malignant growth of glial support cells causes gliomas, highly invasive, primary brain tumors that are largely resistant to therapy. Individual tumor cells spread by active cell migration, invading diffusely into the normal brain. This process is facilitated by Cl- channels that endow glioma cells with an enhanced ability to quickly adjust their shape and cell volume to fit the narrow and tortuous extracellular brain spaces. Once satellite tumors enlarge, their growth is limited by the spatial constraints imposed by the bony cavity of the skull and spinal column. Glioma cells circumvent this limitation by active destruction of peritumoral neural tissue through the release of glutamate, inducing peritumoral seizures and ultimately excitotoxic neuronal cell death. Hence, primary brain tumors support their unusual biology by taking advantage of ion channels and transporters that are designed to support ion homeostatic functions in normal brain.
Adults' perception and production of the English vowel /i/.

This study investigated the link between the perception and production of the English vowel /i/ by adult native speakers of English. Participants first produced the vowel /i/ using normal (citation...
CALLING ON CALL: FROM THEORY AND RESEARCH TO NEW DIRECTIONS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING

CALLING ON CALL: FROM THEORY AND RESEARCH TO NEW DIRECTIONS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING. Lara Ducate and Nike Arnold (Eds.). San Marcos, TX: Calico, 2006. Pp. 351. $24.95 paper.So far, language educators and researchers have proposed quite a few theoretical conceptualizations of the potential of technology in language education and have conducted empirical studies exploring the affordance and constraints of technology in language education. The large number and variety of publications on this topic is informative but might also be overwhelming to language teachers, and many teachers are at a loss as to how exactly to incorporate technologies into their daily practice despite being intrigued by all of these claims and findings on the promise of technology. This volume, edited by Ducate and Arnold, provides timely support to language teachers. This practice-oriented volume not only gives language teachers broad perspectives on the status quo of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) but also provides specific guidelines on how to incorporate technologies in specific language teaching areas.
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) Starch – Physico‐chemical Properties and Functional Characteristics

Starch was isolated from buckwheat (Fagopyrum exculentum) for determination of physico-chemical properties and functional characteristics. SEM studies showed granules of buckwheat starch to be round or polygonal in shape and smaller than wheat starch granules in average particle size. X-ray diffraction showed a pattern typical of that of cereal starches. Determinations of swelling power, solubility, water binding, enzyme suspectibility, gelatinization temperature and Amylograph consistency of untreated, defatted and enzyme-inactivated buckwheat starch produced values which were within the range of those reported in the literature for cereal starches. Buckwheat starch performed satisfactorily in fillings, but did not produce cakes of acceptable quality.
The reward value of saccharin solution prior to eating experience

Newborn pigs ranging in age from 11 to 3 h old were tested for saccharin preference. The Ss had never eaten or drank prior to the test. They were allowed to choose between saccharin solution and water over a 24 h period. There was a significant preference for saccharin with the Ss drinking about two and one-half times as much saccharin as water. It was concluded that saccharin preference cannot be explained as being a secondary reinforcer.
Enthalpies of intramolecular hydrogen bonds of orthohalophenols and deuterated orthohalophenols in the vapor phase

Abstract Infrared absorption in the OH and OD stretching regions were recorded for orthohalophenols and dauterated orthohalophenols in the vapor phase at temperatures ranging from their boiling points to 290° ° H 's for intramolecular bridge bond formation were calculated from the change in relative peak heights with temperature. The fluoro compounds did not yield clearly defined cis and trans peaks. For the chloro, bromo and iodo compounds, the ° H 's were 3.41, 3.13 and 2.75 kcal/mole for the hydrogen bonds and 2.81, 2.65 and 2.65 kcal/mole for the deutero bridge bonds. The average standard deviation of these values is about 7 per cent. An explanation of the effect of deuteration on the apparent bond strength is offered based on partial excitation of the out-of-plane OH and OD bending modes of the cis isomers.
Exploring the Phylogenetic Utility of ITS Sequences for Animals: A Test Case for Abalone ( Haliotis )

To evaluate the general utility of sequences of the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions for phylogenetic analyses of animal species groups and their broader relationships, sequences were obtained for 19 species of the genus Haliotis plus a keyhole limpet and a more distantly related gastropod, the Chilean abalone. Three subclades of Haliotis species appear consistently, each encompassing little variation. They are (A) the North Pacific species, (B) the European species, and (C) the Australia species. The one Caribbean species examined clearly groups with the North Pacific clade, not the European clade. H. midae (South Africa) and H. diversicolor supertexta (Taiwan) both diverge basal to the European and Australian species groups in the phylogenetic trees. Sequence comparisons showed that one species of Haliotis, H. iris from New Zealand, is quite distant from the remaining Haliotis species, almost as much as the more obvious outgroup, the keyhole limpet, an observation common to other DNA sequence analyses of these taxa. Using the rate of nucleotide change calculated from the sister Caribbean-Pacific pair, the length of the H. iris long branch is compatible with the suggestion that its ancestry became isolated on New Zealand at Gondwandan breakup. Use of ITS permits a totally independent estimate of the phylogenetic relationships, yet branching order was very similar to that established using other DNA regions studied previously, including those under strong positive selection. Knowledge of the RNA transcript secondary structure is particularly useful in the optimal alignment of more distantly related taxa. The RNA transcript secondary structure of Haliotis ITS2 shows conservation of features found also in ITS2 of angiosperms and algal taxa. Since ITS, particularly ITS2, is not saturated with nucleotide changes even at the family level, it should be useful for phylogenetic reconstruction of animal groups, not just at the species and genus levels but perhaps also for families and above.
Measurement of subjective responses to alcohol and non-alcohol slides by alcoholic respondents

Abstract Although ‘anxiety’ has traditionally been hypothesized as the cognitive mediating CR which results from electrical a versive conditioning, alternate competing hypotheses have not been adequately studied. This investigation has generated four constructs from a factor analysis of adjective ratings on alcohol-related stimuli and four constructs from an identical analysis of ratings on non-alcohol related stimuli. As these constructs are orthogonal, each can be used as an independent measure of ‘cognitive mediator’ or alternative competing hypothesis. The alcohol-related constructs appeared to be: (1) dangerous vs. safety; (2) approach or appetitiveness: (3) avoidance or aversiveness; and (4) general evaluation good vs. bad.
Prevalence, correlates, and course of minor depression and major depression in the national comorbidity survey

Data from the National Comorbidity Survey are used to study the lifetime prevalences, correlates, course and impairments associated with minor depression (mD), major depression 5-6 symptoms (MD 5-6), and major depression with seven or more symptoms (MD 7-9) in an effort to determine whether mD is on a continuum with MD. There is a monotonic increase in average number of episodes, average length of longest episode, impairment, comorbidity, and parental history of psychiatric disorders as we go from mD to Md 5-6 to MD 7-9. In most of these cases, though, the differences between mD and MD 5-6 are no longer than the differences between MD 5-6 and MD 7-9, arguing for continuity between mD and MD. Coupled with the finding from earlier studies that subclinical depression is a significant risk factor for major depression, these results argue that minor depression is a variant of depressive disorder that should be considered seriously both as a target for preventive intervention and for treatment. The paper closes with suggestions regarding the analysis of mD subtypes in future longitudinal studies.
Low Resting Heart Rate and Rational Choice: Integrating Biological Correlates of Crime in Criminological Theories

Abstract Purpose The current work examined the association between low resting heart rate and perceptions of the costs and benefits of criminal behavior. Methods Data were gathered from a sample of students in introductory criminal justice classes. Perceptions of the costs and benefits of crime were measured in response to scenarios describing assault, theft and drunk driving. Results Those with low resting heart rate perceived a lower likelihood of sanction and were less likely to anticipate a sense of guilt/shame should they commit assault during a confrontation. Those with low resting heart rate were also more likely to indicate that they would commit the act described in the assault scenario. Anticipated guilt/shame mediated the relationship between low resting heart rate and intent to engage in assault. Conclusions Low resting heart rate was related to estimations of the costs and benefits of offending. Perceived costs (anticipated guilt/shame) mediated the relationship between resting heart rate and intent to commit assault.
Domain wall structures and dynamics in thin films

Computer simulation is used to study two-dimensional domain wall structures and dynamics in Permalloy thin films with easy axis parallel to the film plane. The effective wall mass and the viscosity coefficient are found to be one or two orders of magnitude greater than for one-dimensional bulk material. For external easy axis fields much larger than the anisotropy field, the wall motion exhibits turbulent behavior with vortex breakdown as a precursor, with an increasing hard axis field, the wall configuration changes from an asymmetric Bloch wall to a Neel wall. >
Informatics Tools for Quality in Anatomic Pathology

This article reviews three informatics tools developed as part of an overall quality program in an anatomic pathology laboratory. These tools include a tracking monitor for analyzing the entire testing process through pre-analytic, analytic, and postanalytic phases; the use of digital imaging in quality control of immunohistochemistry in the analytic phase; and a results-reporting monitor for flow of postanalytic data to patient data repositories.
Using Literature to Teach Ethics in the Business Curriculum

This article explores the problems and prospects of incorporating ethics education into the MBA curriculum and the business communication classroom. Although ethics is generally recognized as a crucial area of study, there is little agreement about how it should be included or taught. Moreover, these disagreements often reflect deeply different perspectives on basic pedagogy, the role of business schools, and the links between business and other disciplines. The author argues that literature provides a useful means of restructuring course work to provide ethics instruction and to forge needed links between business and the humanities.
The Role of Exchange in Productive Specialization

Nomadic pastoralists are specialists in complex systems of land use. Their own productive strategies are dependent in large part upon the conversion rates of their products to imported items from other sectors of a larger economy. Changes in these conversion rates are likely to arise for a number of reasons; pastoralists respond to such changes in various ways, depending upon their past histories and current conditions. The case of the Yoruk, specialized pastoralists of southeastern Turkey, is used to illustrate this process of changing productive strategies. Generalizations are sought concerning the ways in which large systems of land use become more or less specialized through time, in terms of the consequences of shifting exchange conditions for the productive strategies of component households. [economic anthropology, pastoralism, complex society, interpopulation exchange]
Bone Marrow–Derived Cells for Enhancing Collateral Development: Mechanisms, Animal Data, and Initial Clinical Experiences

Initial animal studies of single angiogenic agents, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), generated enthusiasm for the concept that these agents might enhance collateral development and thereby provide alternative therapies for patients with vascular disease not amenable to traditional revascularization. The enthusiasm, apparently justified by the subsequent results of small nonrandomized phase-I clinical trials, was then tempered by the subsequent disappointing results of randomized clinical trials. In light of these disappointing results, investigators have pursued alternative strategies in an attempt to improve tissue perfusion. One such strategy is the utilization of bone marrow-derived cell therapy. This review discusses mechanistic pathways mediating the effects of such cell therapy, summarizes the animal and early clinical experience, and speculates on the potential of genetic manipulation of bone marrow-derived cells in an attempt to further enhance their potency.
Observation of Au + Au --> Au + Au + rho(0) and Au + Au --> Au* + Au* + rho(0) with STAR

We report the first observation of the reactions Au + Au {yields} Au + Au + {rho}{sup 0} and Au + Au {yields} Au* + Au* + {rho}{sup 0} with the STAR detector. The {rho} are produced at small perpendicular momentum, as expected if they couple coherently to both nuclei. We discuss models of vector meson production and the correlation with nuclear breakup, and present a fundamental test of quantum mechanics that is possible with the system.
A four-component borehole deformation gauge for the determination of in situ stresses in rock masses

Abstract A four-component borehole deformation gauge was built to investigate high lateral stresses in certain granite quarries in central Minnesota. This gauge is essentially a more sophisticated version of the single-component gauge. It also contains the feature of a built-in check, not available on other multicomponent gauges. A description of the gauge is given, and the results of some stress determinations made on the floor of a granite quarry are presented. The additions necessary to make the gauge suitable for determining the complete state of stress from a single borehole are also indicated.
Quantitation of liquid-crystalline ordering in F-actin solutions

Actin filaments (F-actin) are important determinants of cellular shape and motility. These functions depend on the collective organization of numerous filaments with respect to both position and orientation in the cytoplasm. Much of the orientational organization arises spontaneously through liquid crystal formation in concentrated F-actin solutions. In studying this phenomenon, we found that solutions of purified F-actin undergo a continuous phase transition, from the isotropic state to a liquid crystalline state, when either the mean filament length or the actin concentration is increased above its respective threshold value. The phase diagram representing the threshold filament lengths and concentrations at which the phase transition occurs is consistent with that predicted by Flory's theory on solutions of noninteracting, rigid cylinders (Flory, 1956b). However, in contrast to other predictions based on this model, we found no evidence for the coexistence of isotropic and anisotropic phases. Furthermore, the phase transition proved to be temperature dependent, which suggests the existence of orientation-dependent interfilament interactions or of a temperature-dependent filament flexibility. We developed a simple method for growing undistorted fluorescent acrylodan-labeled F-actin liquid crystals; and we derived a simple theoretical treatment by which polarization-of-fluorescence measurements could be used to quantitate, for the first time, the degree of spontaneous filament ordering (nematic order parameter) in these F-actin liquid crystals. This order parameter was found to increase monotonically with both filament length and concentration. Actin liquid crystals can readily become distorted by a process known as "texturing." Zigzaging and helicoidal liquid crystalline textures which persisted in the absence of ATP were observed through the polarizing microscope. Possible texturing mechanisms are discussed.
GAS PHASE REACTIONS OF CL2O WITH X-(D2O)N=0-4 (X = O, OD, O2, DO2, AND O3)

Abstract The reactions of Cl 2 O with the cluster ions X − (D 2 O) n =0–4 (X = O, OD, O 2 , DO 2 , and O 3 ) were studied in a He buffer gas at temperatures within the range 171–298 K and pressures of 0.27–0.51 Torr, using a flow-tube apparatus. All ions were found to react with Cl 2 O at rates slower than predicted by the collision rate and the charge center was transferred from X − to Cl − or ClO − . The primary product ions Cl − (DOCl) and ClO − (DOCl) were observed to react further to produce the ions Cl 3 O − and Cl 3 O 2 − . The rate constants for the observed reactions are reported and the role that thermodynamics plays in determining possible reaction channels is discussed.
Densities and viscosities of trichloroethylene miscellas of cottonseed oil, fish oil, and beef tallow

Data on the densities and viscosities of miscellas from trichloroethylene and cottonseed oil, fish oil, and beef tallow for four different temperatures are presented. Equations, with the necessary constants, are given for calculating both densities and viscosities.
Monolithic Michelson Interferometer as ultra stable wavelength reference

Ultra-stable Monolithic Michelson interferometer can be an ideal reference for highprecision applications such as RV measurement in planet searching and orbit study. The advantages include wide wavelength range, simple sinusoidal spectral format, and high optical efficiency. In this paper, we report that a monolithic Michelson interferometers has been in-house developed with minimized thermal sensitivity with compensation tuning. With a scanning white light interferometer, the thermal sensitivity is measured ~ 6x10-7/°C at 550 nm and it decreases to zero near 1000 nm. We expect the wideband wavelength reference source to be stabilized better than 0.3 m/s for RV experiments
Genetic Control of Lactate Dehydrogenase Expression in Mammalian Tissues

The amount of lactate dehydrogenase isozyme 4 in erythrocytes of mice is controlled by alleles at the Ldr-1 locus. The A subunits of lactate dehydrogenase from erythrocytes deficient in isozyme 4 cannot assemble in vitro with B subunits to form active isozyme. The inability to form hybrid enzyme is not due to a mutation in the structural gene for the A polypeptide. Rather, a factor that is bound to the A subunits of erythrocytes restricts free exchange with B subunits.
The cell type mediating hyperacute rejection of allogeneic mouse skin grafts.

Abstract Allogeneic murine skin grafts can be rejected hyperacutely, as white or “red” grafts, by a cell-mediated mechanism. The hyperacute rejection is transferable by sensitized, nylon adherent, θ-bearing lymph node cells draining skin graft sites.
Perceived stress, coping and night‐eating in college students

The present study investigated the role of coping in the relationship between perceived stress and night-eating syndrome (NES) in college students. Participants were 95 undergraduates 18 to 29 years of age, and predominantly female and white or Caucasian. Anonymous paper-and-pencil surveys were completed on campus to measure NES, coping styles and level of perceived stress. Significant associations were found between perceived stress and NES (β = 0.259, p < 0.05), perceived stress and maladaptive coping (β = 0.575, p < 0.001) and maladaptive coping and NES (β = 0.252, p < 0.05). Mediation analyses indicate that experiencing higher levels of stress may lead to night-eating behaviours because of use of maladaptive coping strategies. Furthermore, tests of moderation suggest that individuals who experienced stress and engaged in less adaptive coping were more likely to exhibit night-eating behaviours (versus those who engaged in more adaptive coping). Of note is the differential impact of adaptive versus maladaptive coping in this association. Current findings provide some insights into possible mechanisms to weight gain in college students. Further, this information may be useful in guiding the development of interventions aimed at improving the psychosocial and behavioural health of college students. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human MutSα Specifically Binds to DNA Containing Aminofluorene and Acetylaminofluorene Adducts

Abstract Defects in mismatch repair are associated with several types of cancer. It is also generally believed that environmental carcinogens are responsible for the initiation of cancers by the induction of mutations in critical genes. Prior genetic studies have suggested that the mismatch repair system can also recognize certain forms of DNA damage such as O6-methylguanine and UV photoproducts, and, therefore, mismatch repair may play a role in environmental agent-induced carcinogenesis. To examine this hypothesis, hMutSα, a heterodimer which consists of hMSH2 and GTBP and participates in strand-specific mismatch repair, was tested for its ability to recognize DNA containing a site-specific C8-guanine adduct of aminofluorene (AF) or N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene (AAF). We show here that hMutSα specifically binds to both AF and AAF adducts. This binding requires both hMSH2 and GTBP. Results from competition and titration experiments indicate that the binding efficiency of hMutSα to AF and AAF is about 60% of that to a G-T mismatch, but is at least 10-fold that to an otherwise identical homoduplex DNA without the chemical modification. The specific binding of AF and AAF adducts by hMutSα suggests that strand-specific mismatch repair is involved in processing DNA damage induced by environmental carcinogens.
Characterization of a murine model of endotoxin-induced acute lung injury.

Endotoxin-induced microvascular lung injury in mice is a commonly used experimental model of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The present paper aimed to characterize this popular model in a comprehensive and systematic fashion. Male C57bl/6 mice (n = 5) were administered an LD55 dose of E. coli endotoxin (15 mg/kg, i.p.), and lungs were harvested at several time points and evaluated for injury as well as for expression of a variety of inflammatory mediators. Endotoxin induced many features characteristic of acute microvascular lung injury. These included early (1-2 h) expression of inflammatory mediators (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, interferon-alpha, interferon gamma, and MCP-1) and leukocyte accumulation in lung tissue (lung myeloperoxidase activity 18.5 +/- 7.8 U/g tissue, P < 0.05), followed by pulmonary edema (lung water content index 17.4% +/- 2.5%, P < 0.05) and mortality. Histopathological evaluation of lung tissue was compatible with these findings. The characterization of this murine model of endotoxin-induced microvascular injury will facilitate its utilization in ARDS research.
Nader voters in the 2000 Presidential Election: what would they have done without him?

Abstract This research estimates the likely voting behavior of Nader voters if he had not been a candidate in the presidential race. Bivariate analysis of ANES data suggests that Nader voters fit the profile of likely voters and have a distinct preference for Democratic candidates. We utilize multinomial logit analysis to include the possibility of abstention as well as the option of voting for Gore, Bush, or another third-party candidate. The results suggest that Nader voters closely resembled the typical voter in educational achievement, and therefore it is likely that a majority of these individuals would have participated in the 2000 election if Nader had not been a candidate. In addition, it is likely that these individuals would have voted for Al Gore over George Bush. However, these Nader voters were younger, less partisan, and were more likely to express feelings of political alienation, so it is quite possible that the absence of the Nader candidacy would have kept a sizeable minority of them at home on election day.
Crew roles and operational protocols for rotary-wing micro-uavs in close urban environments

A crew organization and four-step operational protocol is recommended based on a cumulative descriptive field study of teleoperated rotary-wing micro air vehicles (MAV) used for structural inspection during the response and recovery phases of Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. The use of MAVs for real civilian missions in real operating environments provides a unique opportunity to consider human-robot interaction. The analysis of the human-robot interaction during 8 days, 14 missions, and 38 flights finds that a three person crew is currently needed to perform distinct roles: Pilot, Mission Specialist, and Flight Director. The general operations procedure is driven by the need for safety of bystanders, other aircraft, the tactical team, and the MAV itself, which leads to missions being executed as a series of short, line-of-sight flights rather than a single flight. Safety concerns may limit the utility of autonomy in reducing the crew size or enabling beyond line-of-sight-operations but autonomy could lead to an increase in flights per mission and reduced Pilot training demands. This paper is expected to contribute to set a foundation for future research in HRI and MAV autonomy and to help establish regulations and acquisition guidelines for civilian operations. Additional research in autonomy, interfaces, attention, and out-of-the-loop (OOTL) control is warranted.
Novel heterocyclic coordination polymers: synthesis and characterization

Abstract Designing molecular species that can spontaneously self-assemble into well-defined structures paves the way to material systems with wide a range of applications. For this reason, hybrid molecular systems based on the combination of conjugated organic polymers and redox- active transition metals is of current interest. Conjugated heterocyclic polymeric systems, poly (2,2′-bipyridine 5,5′-vinylene) and poly[rutheniumbis(bipyridine)(2,2′-bipyridine 5,5′-vinylene)] have been synthesized and characterized by TGA, FT-IR and UV-VIS in conjunction with microanalysis. The latter is obtained from the polymerization reaction directly as a blue-black solid with λmax of 600 nm and an inherent conductivity of 4.5x10 −6 Scm −1 , the former on the other hand, is a reddish-brown solid with λmax of 380 nm and fluorescence maximum at 535 nm using 380 nm excitation wavelength. The undoped polymer is an insulator and p doping with AuCl 3 /CH 3 CN, I 2 and NOPF 6 did not have any effect on the conductivity.
George Kennan and the American-Russian Relationship, 1865-1924

George Kennan s career as a specialist on Russian affairs began in 1865, with his first journey to the Russian empire. A twenty-year-old telegraphic engineer at the time, he was a member of the Russian-American Telegraph Expedition, a now virtually unknown but nevertheless remarkable nineteenth-century adventure story. That bold undertaking would have established telegraph service between the United States and Russia by submarine cable across the Bering Strait, an event unfortunately upstaged by the successful laying of the Atlantic Cable. Its directors subsequently abandoned the project. But for Kennan the impact of the endeavor proved both formative and lasting; his work in northeastern Siberia as a member of the expedition had so piqued his interest in Russia that over half a century later it still was not slaked. By the time of his death in 1924, his various investigations of Russian subjects had resulted in numerous publications and lectures that had established his reputation as the leading American expert on Russia of his era. The major concern of Frederick F. Travis s book is the role of George Kennan in shaping American-Russian relations in the important half century before the Russian Revolution and its immediate aftermath. This study first establishes that Kennan began his career as an ardent Russophile, then carefully traces his shift to hostility following his investigation of the Siberian exile system in 1885-86, and explains in some detail his subsequent influence on public opinion. Kennan s later work revealed a Russia of almost unrelieved political and economic distress in the tsarist empire, and of a noble, almost hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned opposition, contributing significantly to the unpreparedness with which America faced the Revolution of 1917. Kennan s analysis of the October Revolution and its immediate aftermath served only to harden American attitudes toward the presumed evils of Bolshevism. The picture of George Kennan that emerges from this study is the fullest to appear in any language, according him a standing in the history of American-Russian relations unequaled by any official participant."
A Parallel Architecture for Discrete Relaxation Algorithm

Discrete relaxation techniques have proven useful in solving a wide range of problems in digital signal and digital image processing, artificial intelligence, operations research, and machine vision. Much work has been devoted to finding efficient hardware architectures. This paper shows that a conventional hardware design for a Discrete Relaxation Algorithm (DRA) suffers from O(n2m3) time complexity and O(n2m2) space complexity. By reformulating DRA into a parallel computational tree and using a multiple tree-root pipelining scheme, time complexity is reduced to O(nm), while the space complexity is reduced by a factor of 2. For certain relaxation processing, the space complexity can even be decreased to O(nm). Furthermore, a technique for dynamic configuring an architectural wavefront is used which leads to an O(n) time highly concurrent DRA3 architecture.
Information content of the fed funds rates

This study shows that the Fed Funds spot rate mostly affects the level of key interest rates while the Fed Funds futures rate tends to affect both the level and the volatility. Such effects are more concentrated on the shorter segment of the yield curve. In addition, only an unexpected change in the target rate affects both the level and the volatility of interest rates. Finally, the FOMC's increased disclosure of its policy stance has a calming effect on the volatility of key interest rates. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 25:753–774, 2005
Role of Obesity in Otitis Media in Children

The ongoing childhood obesity epidemic has garnered significant attention among healthcare providers due to its short- and long-term sequelae. Multiple diseases have been associated with obesity, not limited to hypertension, diabetes, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Over the past decade, the relationships between obesity and otologic conditions have been investigated. In this setting, otitis media has remained the focus of research, representing one of the most common pediatric illnesses. Initial studies suggesting a relationship between the two conditions have been supported with epidemiological studies controlling for socioeconomic factors. The purpose of this article is to review our current understanding of the relationship between otitis media and obesity and to discuss the healthcare implications of this association. In addition, several identifiable factors associated with each condition are discussed, as are potential pathophysiologic mechanisms that may help to elucidate the complex and multifactorial relationship between the two disease entities.
The effect of crude oil fractions on the survival of a tidepool copepod, Tigriopus californicus

Abstract The effect of four common crude oil fractions on the survival of a tidepool copepod, Tigriopus californicus , were studied. Four concentrations each of diesel oil, kerosene, gasoline and benzene were used. Diesel oil was the most detrimental; a concentration of 0·10 ml/l caused total mortality within five days. The three highest concentrations of kerosene resulted in less than 15% survival at the end of eight days. Gasoline showed the highest mortality within the first 24 h while benzene was most lethal between the first and second days. We conclude that the more slowly evaporating crude oil fractions present the greatest hazard and that the survival of T. californicus is inversely proportional to the concentration of the crude oil fraction in the environment.
The Effect of Disk Warpage/Skew on the Deflection and Vibration of a Flexible Disk Spinning Above a Baseplate and in Contact With a Point-Head

A flexible disk, with small initial warpage/skew, is spinning in close proximity to a stationary baseplate. The partial differential equation for the disk deflection is coupled to the Reynolds equation of the stabilizing air-film. Disk warpage/skew produces a small change in the deflection which rotates with the disk. These deflections are obtained by linearizing the coupled equations about the axisymmetric configuration corresponding to a perfect disk. Numerical solutions are obtained and compared for different values of rotational speed and air-film thickness. The results show that among the three skewed/warped disks modeled, the skewed disk (i.e., the plane of the disk is skewed with respect to its axis of rotation) produces the largest deflection change (axial runout). With the effect of a point-contact head included, the existence of disk warpage/skew causes the head to produce a spatially-fixed harmonically varying force. The total disk motion is determined by superposition of the deflection pattern fixed on the disk and the space-fixed head-induced vibration. The disk pitch angle variation at the head is obtained and the results are compared for various values of the rotational speed and air-film thickness.
Must Capitalism Yield to Socialism

Why did a brilliant economist who favoured capitalism argue that it would be replaced by socialism because of its very success? Professor Kirzner, an authority on Austrian economics, rejects the capitalism-is-doomed hypothesis of the Austrian Joseph Schumpeter, author of Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy.
High frequency electrical conduction block of the pudendal nerve

A reversible electrical block of the pudendal nerves may provide a valuable method for restoration of urinary voiding in individuals with bladder–sphincter dyssynergia. This study quantified the stimulus parameters and effectiveness of high frequency (HFAC) sinusoidal waveforms on the pudendal nerves to produce block of the external urethral sphincter (EUS). A proximal electrode on the pudendal nerve after its exit from the sciatic notch was used to apply low frequency stimuli to evoke EUS contractions. HFAC at frequencies from 1 to 30 kHz with amplitudes from 1 to 10 V were applied through a conforming tripolar nerve cuff electrode implanted distally. Sphincter responses were recorded with a catheter mounted micro-transducer. A fast onset and reversible motor block was obtained over this range of frequencies. The HFAC block showed three phases: a high onset response, often a period of repetitive firing and usually a steady state of complete or partial block. A complete EUS block was obtained in all animals. The block thresholds showed a linear relationship with frequency. HFAC pudendal nerve stimulation effectively produced a quickly reversible block of evoked urethral sphincter contractions. The HFAC pudendal block could be a valuable tool in the rehabilitation of bladder–sphincter dyssynergia.
Effect of Radiographic Contrast Material Exposure on Spiral CT Attenuation of Renal Calculi

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The authors performed this study to determine whether exposure of renal calculi to radiographic contrast material has an effect on the attenuation values at computed tomography (CT) performed with varying collimation widths. Materials and Methods Renal calculi (23 stones of various composition) were scanned with 1-, 3-, and 10-mm collimation. Stones were then exposed to a solution of radiographic contrast material for 5 minutes, washed with water, and rescanned 36 hours later. The reproducibility of the CT attenuation measurements on different days was evaluated by obtaining measurements in a subset of 16 renal stones on 4 different days. Results There was no statistically significant change in attenuation after contrast material exposure at narrow collimation. At wider collimation, statistically significant increases were noted in both attenuation and standard deviation. A small amount of variability between readings was noted on different days, with a minimal increase in attenuation each day. Correlation between readings remained very high. Conclusion Exposure of stones to a radiographic contrast material had a statistically significant effect on CT attenuation values only at wide collimation. This may be related to technical factors including volume averaging. Absence of an effect at narrow collimation suggests that the attenuation values of renal stones do not significantly change after exposure to contrast material.
Does prophylactic administration of systemic antibiotics prevent postoperative inflammatory complications after third molar surgery

Purpose To estimate and compare the frequencies of inflammatory complications after third molar (M3) surgery in subjects receiving intravenous prophylactic antibiotics or saline placebo. Materials and Methods Using a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial, the investigators enrolled a sample composed of subjects who required extraction of at least 1 impacted M3 and requested intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. The predictor variable was treatment group classified as active treatment (penicillin or clindamycin for penicillin-allergic subjects) or placebo (0.9% saline). Study medications were randomly assigned. Both surgeon and subject were blinded to treatment assignment. The medication was administered intravenously prior to any incision. The outcome variable was postoperative inflammatory complication classified as present or absent and included alveolar osteitis (AO) or surgical site infection (SSI). Other variables were demographic, anatomic, or operative. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ .05, single-tailed test of hypothesis. Results The sample was composed of 118 subjects (n = 59 per study group). In the active treatment group, there were no postoperative inflammatory complications. In the placebo group, 5 subjects (8.5%) were diagnosed with SSI, (P = .03). No subject met the case definition for AO. All SSIs were associated with the removal of partial bony or full bony impacted mandibular M3s. Conclusion In the setting of third molar removal, these results suggest that the use of intravenous antibiotics administered prophylactically decrease the frequency of SSIs. The authors cannot comment on the efficacy of intravenous antibiotics in comparison to other antibacterial treatment regimens, eg chlorhexidine mouthrinse or intrasocket antibiotics.