cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and diagnosis of acute infectious diarrhea

The appropriate approach to the diagnosis and management of acute infectious diarrhea is determined by the frequency and setting of the illness, the recognizable causes or syndromes, the cost and yield of available diagnostic tests, and the treatability of the disease. Acute diarrhea affects everyone throughout the world from one to more than six times each year, depending on age, location, and living conditions. The range of identifiable viral, bacterial, and parasitic etiologies is great, and the cost of indiscriminate use of etiologic studies for diagnosis is prohibitive. Because of its insensitivity for many organisms and poor selection of cases for testing, routine stool culture has been one of the most costly and ineffective microbiologic tests; the cost per positive result has traditionally exceeded $900 to $1,000. The appropriate treatment for the vast majority of cases (independent of their cause) is simple and effective: oral glucose- and electrolyte-containing rehydration solution. On the basis of an appropriate history and understanding of pathogenesis, fecal specimens can be selectively obtained and promptly examined for leukocytes and parasites, and the common noninflammatory diarrheas can be separated from the inflammatory infections in order to focus further studies on the latter group. The bacteria for which specific antimicrobial therapy should be considered usually cause inflammatory diarrhea in the United States. Therefore, only when the history or fecal leukocyte findings indicates an inflammatory process is it appropriate to culture for the routine invasive bacterial pathogens. In sporadic inflammatory diarrhea, culture methods should include those for Campylobacter jejuni as well as Salmonella and Shigella. Several special circumstances may prompt a consideration of parasites (including Giardia, Entamoeba, Strongyloides, Cryptosporidium), Vibrio, Yersinia, Clostridium difficile, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, food-borne agents, or sexually transmitted pathogens. The practical value of specific identification of rotaviruses (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Rotazyme, or electron microscopy) is primarily epidemiologic, particularly in hospitalized infants or young children. Using such a selective approach to fecal culture will greatly increase its yield and can reduce the cost per positive result from $1,000 to less than $150.
Autonomous Hydrophones at NOAA/OSU and a New Seafloor Sentry System for Real-time Detection of Acoustic Events

Development is under way of a new intelligent autonomous hydrophone system, the Quasi-Eulerian hydrophone, or QUEphone. A tether-free portable hydrophone float with built-in data processor, it is capable of repeated vertical ascents and descents from seabed to surface using an internal buoyancy controller. While on the seafloor, it runs an acoustic event detection algorithm continuously; upon detection of a significant acoustic event, or at regular intervals, it surfaces to transmit its position at the surface and a small data file to shore via satellite. Issues of detecting acoustic events at low false alarm rate and applications of this new technology to monitoring other geochemical, biological, and oceanographic properties associated with the world's ecosystem are discussed. Float payload, depth limitation, and vertical travel speed are also discussed.
Is skin temperature a significant confounding factor in the tail-flick test?

I n their focus article, Tjelsen and Hole argue that the latency of the rodent tail-flick reflex depends on tail temperature. Thus, drugs or 0ther manipulations that raise tail skin temperature Could reduce the latency of the tail-flick reflex, and this might be misinterpreted as hyperalgesia. Conversely, an experimentally induced reduction in tail temperature could increase the tail-flick latency, and this might be misinterpreted as analgesia. Although the focus article serves to alert researchers to a potentially serious shortcoming of this widely used experimental pain assay, it also provides solutions to the problem. The main objective of this commentary is to critically examine the contention that variability in tail skin temperature is of sufficient import to warrant the methodological changes suggested by the authors. The rodent's tail temperature is usually at or close to the ambient temperature over a normal range (21°-26°C). Periodically, spontaneous vasodilation of the ventral (and to a lesser extent lateral) tail arteries may occur, resulting in an abrupt increase in tail temperature toward core temperature, followed by an exponential decline over a period of several minutes. 9 This allows heat dissipation from the taill an important thermoregulatory mechanism in rodents. Such vasodilation occurred very infrequently at ambient temperatures below 29°C and was continuous at temperatures above 33°C. In most laboratories with an ambient temperature range of 21°-24°C, we can therefore assume that the tail temperature will normally be at or near ambient. One might then expect that certain experimental manipulations would cause
Professional Development Opportunities for Early Childhood Educators in Community-Based Child Care Centers

In this study, the staff development opportunities among early childhood educators in community-based, nonprofit child care centers were investigated. The trends for professional development and implications for future staff development were determined from data gathered from surveys completed by 12 lead teachers, 5 paraprofessionals, and 5 administrators from 5 community-based child care centers in New Jersey. The results indicated that the teachers preferred enhanced or advanced professional development on subjects in which they already possessed an adequate level of knowledge and experience. In addition, teachers and administrators stated they preferred workshops as the professional development format. The findings were consistent with typical formal professional development, but contrary to the research that promotes effective learning and efficient staff professional development.
Assessment of the Risk of Solar Ultraviolet Radiation to Amphibians. II. In Situ Characterization of Exposure in Amphibian Habitats

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation has been hypothesized as a potential cause of amphibian population declines and increased incidence of malformations. Realistic studies documenting UV irradiance or dose have rarely been conducted in wetlands used by amphibians. Our data indicates that 99% of UVB is attenuated in the top 5−20 cm of wetlands in our study region (northern Minnesota and Wisconsin). Furthermore, vegetation and other habitat features have substantial impacts on local UVB irradiance levels and dose. UVB attenuation in the water columns of our wetlands is controlled by the specific absorption of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and consequently, UVB attenuation is best predicted by simple laboratory absorbance measurements such as bulk water color (absorbance at 440 nm) or wavelength-specific absorbance coefficients. Seasonal data indicate that the UVB absorption by early and mid-season DOC is higher than that of late summer and fall DOC, suggesting increased protection from UVB during the potentiall...
Treatment of kaposi's sarcoma with a combination of actinomycin D and vincristine

Twenty-four patients with aggressive forms of Kaposi's sarcoma were treated with either Actinomycin D or Actinomycin D plus vincristine in a randomized clinical trial. Of 10 patients in the actinomycin alone group there were 4 complete and 5 partial responses. Of 14 patients receiving the combination there were 10 complete and 3 partial responses. The relapse rate thus far is 25% and 40% in each group respectively. A correlation was voted between the clinical response, histology, and tumor size, and the possibility remains that the response differences in the two treatment groups may be independent of the treatment regimens. Nevertheless, both treatment schedules were well tolerated and the results of this trial have led to the design of a new trial testing the efficacy of three drug combination therapy in Kaposi's sarcoma.
Recreating Ocean Space: Recreational Consumption and Representation of the Caribbean Marine Environment

This paper investigates the historical relationship between the development of marine-based tourism and representations of marine space. Over the past 100 years, the Caribbean Sea has been transformed from a transportation surface connecting exotic ports of call into a commodity itself. Imagined by early travelers as a two-dimensional space to be crossed, the Caribbean has became part of a new tropical marine aesthetic, a three-dimensional spectacle to be actively consumed and conserved. These changing representations of the marine environment as a space of consumption have been paralleled by changes in the relationships between marine and terrestrial political economies. As marine-based tourism has intensified, the balance of power among coastal resource users has shifted. The increasingly conflictive consequences of this shift are illustrated by the case of Soufriere in St. Lucia where new uses of marine space have re-configured social and economic relationships. Soufriere's coastal economy has been tra...
Scleredema adultorum: case report and demonstration of abnormal expression of extracellular matrix genes in skin fibroblasts in vivo and in vitro.

To elucidate the mechanisms involved in the development of cutaneous fibrosis in scleredema adultorum, we studied a patient with long-standing scleredema who had no history of diabetes mellitus or preceding febrile illness. Histological examination of a biopsy specimen from involved forearm skin demonstrated marked thickening of the dermis and accumulation of mucin between collagen bundles. Increased levels of type I collagen mRNA, as evidenced by positive in situ hybridization signals with an α1(I) procollagen cDNA were found in numerous fibroblasts throughout the dermis. The expression of several genes coding for proteins involved in the maintenance of connective tissue was examined by determining in vitro protein production and mRNA levels in fibroblasts from the affected skin. Total protein production, glucosamine incorporation and collagen synthesis, were elevated by 44-97% in scleredema fibroblasts, compared with fibroblasts from two healthy individuals. Levels of mRNAs for α1(I) and α1(III) procollagens and fibronectin were elevated in scleredema fibroblasts, whereas mRNA levels for the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase were unaltered compared with control cultures. The results suggest that fibroblasts from the involved skin in non-diabetic patients with scleredema may exhibit a biosynthetically activated phenotype, which persists for several years. These alterations are likely to be involved in the development of the cutaneous induration and thickening which is characteristic of this disease.
Recognition Templates for Biomaterials with Engineered Bioreactivity

Biology ubiquitously uses molecular recognition and specificity to do its work. In contrast, the biomaterials widely used in medicine today non-specifically adsorb complex protein mixtures to their surfaces. These ill-defined protein layers are “read” by the cells (neutrophils, macrophages) that interrogate the implanted materials - the protein coat may be the trigger of subsequent biological reactions. Given the heterogeneity in composition (there are 200+ proteins in blood) and organization (proteins are adsorbed with no control of orientation or conformation) of adsorbed protein layers, it is no surprise that biological reactions, particularly in vivo, are poorly controlled. If fact, implanted synthetic materials are almost universally seen by the body as foreign objects and walled off into a tough, avascular, collagenous bag1.
Steady flow and interfacial shapes of a highly viscous dispersed phase

Abstract A perturbation theory for the steady flow of immiscible liquids is developed when the dispersed phase is much more viscous than the continuous phase, as is the case in emulsions of highly viscous bitumen in water and in water lubricated pipelines of heavy crude. The perturbation is nonsingular, but nonstandard; the partitioning of the boundary conditions at different orders is not conventional. At zero-th order the dispersed phase moves as a rigid solid with an as yet unknown, to-be-determined, pressure. The flow of the continuous phase at zero-th order is determined by a Dirichlet problem with prescribed velocities on a to-be-iterated interfacial boundary. The first order problem in the dispersed phase is determined from the solution of a Stokes flow problem driven by the previously determined shear strain on the as yet undetermined interfacial boundary. This Stokes problem determines the unknown, to-be-determined, lowest order pressure distribution. At this point we have enough information to test the balance of normal stresses at lowest order; by iterating the interface shapes we may now complete the description of the lowest order problems. The perturbation sequence in powers of the viscosity ratio has a similar structure at every order and all the problems may be solved sequentially with the caveat that interface shape must be determined iteratively in each perturbation loop. A perturbation solution for the wavy interfacial shapes on core-annular flows of very viscous oil is presented and the results are compared with experiments and a simpler approximation in which the core moves as rigid, but deformable body with no secondary motions. The perturbation theory gives rise to an accurate description of the bamboo waves observed in experiments when the holdup ratio measured in the experiments is assumed in the theoretical calculation. The perturbation solution and the rigid body approximation are in a relatively good agreement with errors of the order 10% in the flow curves and wave shapes; the error is associated with the neglect of the secondary motion in the rigid-deformable core approximation.
Scale errors on oceanographic mercurial thermometers

Abstract Errors of more than 0·01°C due to the method used in engraving scales, may be common in oceanographic mercurial thermometers. In this study 8 non-reversing thermometers were used; out of these, the spacing between scribed lines was measured very accurately on 4 thermometers. Two of the thermometers had significant scale errors. New correction curves were made for the thermometers, using the scale measurement information. All the thermometers were then intercalibrated. It would appear that after this treatment any of these thermometers could be used as precision laboratory standards.
Special topics on simulation analysis: properties of discrete event systems from their mathematical programming representations

An important class of discrete event systems, tandem queuing networks, are considered and formulated as mathematical programming problems where the constraints represent the system dynamics. The dual of the mathematical programming formulation is a network flow problem where the longest path equals the makespan of n jobs. This dual network provides an alternative proof of the reversibility property of tandem queueing networks under communication blocking. The approach extends to other systems.
Protection From Ischemic Heart Injury by a Vigilant Heme Oxygenase-1 Plasmid System

Although human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) could provide a useful approach for cellular protection in the ischemic heart, constitutive overexpression of hHO-1 may lead to unwanted side effects. To avoid this, we designed a hypoxia-regulated hHO-1 gene therapy system that can be switched on and off. This vigilant plasmid system is composed of myosin light chain-2v promoter and a gene switch that is based on an oxygen-dependent degradation domain from the hypoxia inducible factor-1-alpha. The vector can sense ischemia and switch on the hHO-1 gene system, specifically in the heart. In an in vivo experiment, the vigilant hHO-1 plasmid or saline was injected intramyocardially into myocardial infarction mice or sham operation mice. After gene transfer, expression of hHO-1 was only detected in the ischemic heart treated with vigilant hHO-1 plasmids. Masson trichrome staining showed significantly fewer fibrotic areas in vigilant hHO-1 plasmids-treated mice compared with saline control (43.0%+/-4.8% versus 62.5%+/-3.3%, P<0.01). The reduction of interstitial fibrosis is accompanied by an increase in myocardial hHO-1 expression in peri-infarct border areas, concomitant with higher Bcl-2 levels and lower Bax, Bak, and caspase 3 levels in the ischemic myocardium compared with saline control. By use of a cardiac catheter, heart from vigilant hHO-1 plasmids-treated mice showed improved recovery of contractile and diastolic performance after myocardial infarction compared with saline control. This study documents the beneficial regulation and therapeutic potential of vigilant plasmid-mediated hHO-1 gene transfer. This novel gene transfer strategy can provide cardiac-specific protection from future repeated bouts of ischemic injury.
Site of sex pheromone biosynthesis in the female housefly, Musca domestica L.

The primary site of sex pheromone biosynthesis in the female housefly is the abdominal integument tissue, whereas the contribution of the legs is relatively minor. A substantial portion of the sex pheromone components are, however, transferred from the abdomen to the legs, probably as a result of grooming.
The effect of NovaSil dietary supplementation on the growth and health performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed aflatoxin-B1 contaminated feed

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of NovaSil (NS) clay to sorb and mitigate the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Growth performance, targeted innate immunological function, intestinal microbial community and histology were evaluated after feeding tilapia diets with or without AFB1 and/or NS for 10 weeks. Aflatoxin B1 at concentrations of 1.5 and 3.0 ppm significantly (P
Effect of dehydration on the endogenous opiate content of the art neuro-intermediate lobe

The relationship of endogenous opiate peptides of rat neuro-intermediate lobe to the release of neurohypophysial peptides has been investigated. Both dehydrated rats, with increased oxytocin and vasopressin release, as well as rats homozygous for hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (DI) of the Brattleboro strain, with increased oxytocin release, showed significantly decreased levels of pituitary opiate peptides. We suggest that neuro-intermediate lobe opiate peptides may modulate the release of neurohypophysial antidiuretic peptides.
Hole mobility measurements in heavily doped Si/sub 1-x/Ge/sub x/ strained layers

Both Hall and drift in-plane mobilities have been measured in compressively strained p-type Si/sub 1-x/Ge/sub x/ layers grown by both chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Measurements were taken over the boron doping range of 10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/ to 10/sup 20/ cm/sup -3/ with Ge contents of 0/spl les/x/spl les/0.22. The apparent drift mobility is found to increase with increasing Ge content, whereas the Hall mobility decreases for the same samples at all doping levels studied. The Hall factor decreases with increasing Ge content, which may be due to additional scattering mechanisms introduced by Ge along with changes in the valence band structure as a result of strain. In this study we also provide the first report of Hall mobility measurements of deuterium-passivated, heavily doped Si. >
DuSCA: A multi-channeling strategy for doubling communication capacity in wireless NoC

To bridge the widening gap between computation requirements and communication efficiency faced by many-core chips, Wireless Network-on-Chip (WiNoC) has been proposed by using ultra-wideband interconnect. While prior research has demonstrated the salient features of WiNoC as high perlink data rate, high accumulated bandwidth, high flexibility, low overhead and low power consumption, this research aims to develop a multi-access WiNoC to substantially improve the end-to-end performance of on-chip communication. Enabled by time hopping PPM multi-channel capability, we propose an efficient multi-channel distribution and arbitration scheme for improving communication concurrency and resolving channel competition among multiple users to achieve the desired network performance. Our simulation studies based on synthetic traffics demonstrate the efficiency, cost effectiveness and scalability of the channel arbitration scheme and the promising network performance of WiNoC.
Data Replication in Data Intensive Scientific Applications with Performance Guarantee

Data replication has been well adopted in data intensive scientific applications to reduce data file transfer time and bandwidth consumption. However, the problem of data replication in Data Grids, an enabling technology for data intensive applications, has proven to be NP-hard and even non approximable, making this problem difficult to solve. Meanwhile, most of the previous research in this field is either theoretical investigation without practical consideration, or heuristics-based with little or no theoretical performance guarantee. In this paper, we propose a data replication algorithm that not only has a provable theoretical performance guarantee, but also can be implemented in a distributed and practical manner. Specifically, we design a polynomial time centralized replication algorithm that reduces the total data file access delay by at least half of that reduced by the optimal replication solution. Based on this centralized algorithm, we also design a distributed caching algorithm, which can be easily adopted in a distributed environment such as Data Grids. Extensive simulations are performed to validate the efficiency of our proposed algorithms. Using our own simulator, we show that our centralized replication algorithm performs comparably to the optimal algorithm and other intuitive heuristics under different network parameters. Using GridSim, a popular distributed Grid simulator, we demonstrate that the distributed caching technique significantly outperforms an existing popular file caching technique in Data Grids, and it is more scalable and adaptive to the dynamic change of file access patterns in Data Grids.
Effects of tempering on the carbon activity and hydrogen attack kinetics of 2.25 Cr-1 Mo steel

The variation with tempering of the carbon activity and the Hydrogen Attack rates of a Q&T 2.25 Cr-1 Mo steel (A542 C13) was studied at 550 °C. A highly sensitive capacitance dilatometer was used to measure the HA strain rates as a function of hydrogen pressure, and an equilibration technique was used for the carbon activity. Both the carbon activity and the HA strain rate decreased monotonically with the extent of tempering. A strong correlation existed between carbon activity and the HA strain rate of the samples. Excessive tempering beyond the commercial practice did not eliminate HA, and the carbon activity of a sample tempered for 500 hours at 700 °C was as high as 0.05. The high carbon activity of the excessively tempered samples is explained as due to the effects of low Cr/Fe ratio in M23C6 carbides and to less than the equilibrium Cr content next to the M23C6 resulting from the low diffusivity of Cr in α-iron at the tempering temperature of 700 °C. The methane pressure dependence of the HA strain rates suggests a grain boundary diffusion controlled growth of bubbles for hydrogen pressures up to 20 MPa at 550 °C.
Crystal structure of the hepatitis C virus NS3 protease domain complexed with a synthetic NS4A cofactor peptide.

Abstract An estimated 1% of the global human population is infected by hepatitis C viruses (HCVs), and there are no broadly effective treatments for the debilitating progression of chronic hepatitis C. A serine protease located within the HCV NS3 protein processes the viral polyprotein at four specific sites and is considered essential for replication. Thus, it emerges as an attractive target for drug design. We report here the 2.5 A resolution X-ray crystal structure of the NS3 protease domain complexed with a synthetic NS4A activator peptide. The protease has a chymotrypsin-like fold and features a tetrahedrally coordinated metal ion distal to the active site. The NS4A peptide intercalates within a β sheet of the enzyme core.
Characterization of thin film MEMS using photo-acoustic microscopy

Photo-acoustic microscopy (laser ultrasonics) is a potentially powerful tool for nondestructive, in situ, MEMS device characterization. This paper discusses the use of narrowband photo-acoustics to characterize the properties of free-standing nanometer-sized thin films. Photo-acoustic generation is achieved by use of a micro-chip laser which deposits pulsed laser energy (10mJ in 300 picoseconds) in the form of a spatially periodic source on the structure. The resulting narrowband ultrasonic modes are monitored using a Michelson interferometer. By varying the geometry of the spatially-periodic source, a wide range of wavenumbers is probed. Experiments were conducted on two-layer Al/Si3N4 membranes (aluminum thickness: 300-500nm; silicon nitride thickness: 240-400nm. For such thin films, only the two lowest order modes are generated and these in turn can be related to sheet and flexural modes in plates. The mechanical properties and residual stress in the thin films are evaluated from the dispersion curves for these two lowest order modes.
Seasonal abundance and diversity of spiders in two intertidal marsh plant communities

The spiders of two Mississippi marsh communities were studied from January 1982 through March 1983. Monthly collections were made in two adjacent marsh plant zones dominated bySpartina cynosuroides (L.) Roth andJuncus roemerianus Scheele respectively. A total of 38 species of spiders (36 inSpartina, 33 inJuncus) representing 13 families were collected. The dominant species in theSpartina zone includedPirata mayaca Gertsch,Lycosa watsoni Gertsch (Lycosidae),Clubiona saltitans Emerton,Scotinella formica (Banks) (Clubionidae),Floricormus sp. (Linyphiidae),Dictyna sylvania Chamberlin & Ivie (Dictynidae),Paramaevia hobbsae (Barnes) (Salticidae), andAgelenopsis barrowsi Gertsch (Agelenidae). The dominant species in theJuncus zone includedLycosa watsoni, Pirata mayaca, Clubiona saltitans andSarinda hentzi (Banks) (Salticidae). Density, biomass, species richness and equitability peaked in May in theJuncus zone and in June in theSpartina zone. Peak levels of density and biomass corresponded to the reproductive activity of the common species, while diversity patterns were attributable to the reproductive activity of the less common species. Mean values of density and biomass over the study period were 84.8 spiders per m2 and 155.6 mg per m2 in theSpartina zone and 39.4 spiders per m2 and 133.0 mg per m2 inJuncus zone. The Juncus zone was flooded more frequently, contained less litter, and supported lower overall density and diversity of spiders.
Testing low-flame-spread wallcoverings on typical construction substrates in ASTM E84

Model building codes currently exempt wallcoverings less than 1/28 inch thick from any form of testing if their surface burning characteristics are no greater than paper wallcovering of the same thickness. However, theLife Safety Code Handbook points out that both the substrate and the air cavity behind the substrate may affect the performance of thin wallcoverings in fire conditions and recommends that wallcoverings less than 1/28 inch thick also be tested as they would be installed in the field. Model building code requirements regulate the surface burning characteristics of building materials by referencing, or basing their own standards on, ASTM E84. To determine whether ASTM E84 could be adapted to produce useable flame spread results when wallcoverings were tested on an actual wall assembly, two ASTM E84 tests were conducted on one low-flame-spread-rated-wallcovering with an FSI of 5 at Underwriters Laboratories' facility in Northbrook, Illinois. Both tests used 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board as the construction substrate on full wall assemblies. Results indicated that the wallcovering performed differently when tested as a wall assembly.
The Application of Oncotype DX in Early-Stage Lymph-Node-Positive Disease

The recurrence score derived from the 21-gene Oncotype DX assay is both prognostic and predictive of adjuvant chemotherapy benefit in node-negative, estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen. This has led to a remarkable shift in the treatment paradigm, with a sizeable number of patients being able to avoid adjuvant chemotherapy. The recurrence score was then analyzed in a large retrospective study with node-positive, estrogen-receptor-positive patients, in which it demonstrated both prognostic and predictive abilities. This review introduces the clinical trials that validated the Oncotype DX assay in the node-negative population, highlights the studies evaluating the utility of the assay in node-positive patients, examines the impact of the assay results on treatment decisions, and discusses the health outcomes and health care expenditures associated with this assay.
Similarity clustering of music files according to user preference

A plug-in for the Machine Learning Environment Yale has been developed that automatically structures digital music corpora into similarity clusters using a SOM on the basis of features that are extracted from files in a test corpus. Perceptionally similar music files are represented in the same cluster. A human user was asked to rate music files according to their subjective similarity. Compared to the user's judgment, the system had a mean accuracy of 65.7%. The accuracy of the framework increases with the size of the music corpus to a maximum of 75%. The study at hand shows that it is possible to categorize music files into similarity clusters by taking solely mathematical features into account that have been extracted from the files themselves. This allows for a variety of different applications like lowering the search space in manual music comparison, or content-based music recommendation.
Determination of copper, nickel, and cadmium in sea water by apdc chelate coprecipitation and flameless atomic absorption spectrometry

Copper, nickel, and cadmium can be determined in 100 ml of sea water by coprecipitation with cobalt pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate and graphite atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry. Concentration ranges likely to be encountered and estimated (1 σ ) analytical precisions are 1–6 nmol kg-1 (±0.1) for copper, 3–12 nmol kg-1 (±0.3) for nickel and 0.0–1.1 nmol kg-1 (±0.1) for cadmium. The technique may be applied to fresh-water samples with slight modification.
Chlamydia pneumoniae-Induced Transactivation of the Major Immediate Early Promoter of Cytomegalovirus: Potential Synergy of Infectious Agents in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis

Both cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Chlamydia pneumoniae have been associated with atherosclerosis. CMV is believed to exist in host tissues in a latent state with periodic reactivation. This study was designed to determine whether C. pneumoniae infection stimulates the expression of CMV genes. Transactivation of the CMV major immediate early promoter (MIEP) is essential for viral gene expression and viral replication. HeLa cells were transfected with a construct containing a reporter gene (chloramphenicol acetyl transferase) controlled by the MIEP. The cells were then infected with Chlamydia at 10 2 -10 6 infection-forming units (IFU) per well at various times before assay of MIEP activity (72 h after transfection). Peak transactivation occurred 6 h after infection at 10 4 IFU. C. pneumoniae increased MIEP activity in a dose-response manner; maximal increase was >2-fold. These results suggest that if CMV and C. pneumoniae do indeed contribute to atherosclerosis, their copresence may synergistically contribute to it.
Thermal Noise in Track-and-Hold Circuits: Analysis and Simulation Techniques

As a vehicle that lets us explore the main ideas of this article, we will utilize the commonly used charge-redistribution track-and-hold amplifier (THA) circuit (shown in Figure 1) and evaluate this circuit in terms of its thermal noise performance. Of course, it is well know that the thermal noise of this circuit is somehow related to “kT/C.” What we accomplish in this article is to precisely track down the proper proportionally constants so that we can validate the results of a circuit simulation with good precision. After all, as you have learned from your experienced analog guru, you will never trust a circuit simulation blindly, right?
Video representation with three-dimensional entities

Very low bit-rate coding requires new paradigms that go well beyond pixel- and frame-based video representations. We introduce a novel content-based video representation using tridimensional entities: textured object models and pose estimates. The multiproperty object models carry stochastic information about the shape and texture of each object present in the scene. The pose estimates define the position and orientation of the objects for each frame. This representation is compact. It provides alternative means for handling video by manipulating and compositing three-dimensional (3-D) entities. We call this representation tridimensional video compositing, or 3DVC for short. We present the 3DVC framework and describe the methods used to construct incrementally the object models and the pose estimates from unregistered noisy depth and texture measurements. We also describe a method for video frame reconstruction based on 3-D scene assembly, and discuss potential applications of 3DVC to video coding and content-based handling. 3DVC assumes that the objects in the scene are rigid and segmented. By assuming segmentation, we do not address the difficult questions of nonrigid segmentation and multiple object segmentation. In our experiments, segmentation is obtained via depth thresholding. It is important to notice that 3DVC is independent of the segmentation technique adopted. Experimental results with synthetic and real video sequences where compression ratios in the range of 1:150-1:2700 are achieved demonstrate the applicability of the proposed representation to very low bit-rate coding.
Variation in Y Chromosome Segregation in Natural Populations of Drosophila melanogaster

Functional variation among Y chromosomes in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster was assayed by a segregation study. A total of 36 Y chromosomes was extracted and ten generations of replacement backcrossing yielded stocks with Y chromosomes in two different genetic backgrounds. Eleven of the Y chromosomes were from diverse geographic origins, and the remaining 25 were from locally captured flies. Segregation of sexes in adult offspring was scored for the four possible crosses among the two backgrounds with each Y chromosome. Although the design confounds meiotic drive and effects on viability, statistical partitioning of these effects reveals significant variation among lines in Y chromosome segregation. Results are discussed in regards to models of Y-linked segregation and viability effects, which suggest that Y-linked adaptive polymorphism is unlikely.
Nosocomial Infections in Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients

Infection remains a serious complication of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We performed a cohort study to assess infections among patients who underwent LVAD implantation from October 1996 through May 1999. Thirty-six LVADs were implanted in 35 patients; the mean duration (± standard deviation) of LVAD use was 73 ± 60 days (total for all patients, 2565 days). Sixteen patients developed surgical site infections (SSIs; rate, 6.2 infections per 1000 LVAD days); 9 were deep-tissue or organ/space infections and 7 were superficial. Other infections included 7 cases of pneumonia (rate, 2.7 cases per 1000 LVAD days), 6 venous infections (rate, 2.3 per 1000 LVAD days), 2 bloodstream infections (rate, cases 0.8 per 1000 LVAD days), 3 urinary tract infections, and 2 skin and soft-tissue infections. Deep SSIs were associated with the requirement for postoperative hemodialysis (P = .02 ). Overall use of antibiotics was extensive, and a trend toward infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms was noted. Infections were a frequent complication of LVAD implantation. Further studies of interventions for preventing infection in LVAD recipients are warranted.
EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF HABITAT QUALITY, CONNECTIVITY, AND CATASTROPHES ON A THREATENED SPECIES

Conserving threatened and endangered species requires an understanding of the effects that variability in habitat, environment, demographics, and genetics have on the long-term viability of the species. The Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), which has been the focus of intensive, long-term study and recent conservation efforts, makes an excellent candidate to illustrate how population modeling can be used to examine these effects on a threatened species. A stage-based population model, including density dependence and stochasticity, was used to explore the effects of habitat quality, connectivity, and catastrophes on long-term survival for four populations of Scrub Jays in Brevard County, Florida, United States. Restoring high-quality habitat was critical for long-term viability of these Scrub Jay populations. The quality of the scrub habitat, based on field surveys, is too overgrown to support the populations for the next 60 yr, and extinction is likely in <30 yr. These populations are unlikely...
Some Applications of Capacity Micrometers to High Speed, High Temperature Measurements

A capacity micrometer for the measurement of blade clearance in a turbine is described. The calibration of the instrument is non-linear with displacement, and clearances of the order of .030 to .001 inch may be measured with a nominal accuracy of ± 10 percent of the indicated reading. Measurements may be made at temperatures up to 1500°F. by the use of water-cooled pickup probes, and with a frequency response from DC to 200,000 cycles per second. The stability of the measurement depends on the temperature stability of the pickup dielectric material. Pickup drift may be measured during operation and may be counteracted by a control on the instrument. Stable reference capacitors provide a means for checking zero drift and calibration independent of the pickup and cable. Examples of the application of the instrument to a variety of other displacement measurements are provided.
Problem-Solving Adequacy in Hospital Subunits

The problem-solving framework developed by Georgopoulos and his associates was used in the present investigation to explore the relationships among problem-solving adequacy, the appropriateness of organizational structures, and effectiveness in 52 subunits of a large, general hospital. Evidence obtained from interviews with subunit managers or directors, interviews with hospital executives, and aggregated responses of unit members are used to explore these relationships. Following most closely from Georgopoulos and Cooke's (1979) version of the problem-solving framework, hypotheses were derived from the following two propositions: (1) organizational subunits are problem-facing open systems that must solve a set of generic problems to be effective and (2) organizational structures are problem-solving mechanisms. Drawing from this theoretical perspective, it was hypothesized that subunit structural appropriateness would be positively related to problem-solving adequacy and to effectiveness. Subunit problem-...
From min-max robust control to fuzzy logic control

The robust control of dynamical systems with bounded uncertainties is a challenging topic from either the theoretical or the practical point of view. The classical robust control, especially the so-called min-max control, may cause the whole dynamical system unstable due to its discontinuity. On the other hand, the fuzzy logic control, partially owe its success to the centroid defuzzification technique, makes the control signal always continuous and smooth while maintaining the merit of the min-max robust control. This paper deals with the transformation from min-max control to fuzzy logic control and discusses its implementation. >
The refraction of surface waves by currents

When ocean waves, moving through deep still water, encounter a current, moving at an angle with the wave direction, the waves undergo a change in length, steepness, and direction of travel. A theoretical development is given for these factors in terms of initial wave length and direction, and the magnitude of the current. Discussion is given of the action of a coastal current in affording protection against short period waves.
The Experience of Laughter: A Phenomenological Study:

The purpose of this research was to uncover a structural definition of laughing in persons over 65. The structural definition that arises from this study is: laughing is a buoyant immersion in the presence of unanticipated glimpsings prompting harmonious integrity which surfaces anew through contemplative visioning. This definition is congruent with some of the current literature and practices related to laughter and health. It corresponds to the principles of Parse's human becoming theory and thus expands understanding of human experiences related to structuring meaning, living in relation to others, and viewing the familiar in a new light.
Spatial analysis of the U.S. lodging industry, 1963–1977

Abstract Data from the U.S. Department of Commerce Census of Business in 1963, 1972, and 1977 were compared on a state by state basis and by standard metropolitan statistical areas in order to analyze the spatial growth points of the U.S. lodging industry. The results point to major lodging growth areas in the Sunbelt states with central Florida, Las Vegas, Nevada and Hawaii as outstanding nodes of development. Metropolitan lodging growth has taken place in the Sunbelt cities with populations of 100,000 to one million, with above average growth in those cities located in the coastal zone.
Overindividuation in Gift Giving: Shopping for Multiple Recipients Leads Givers to Choose Unique but Less Preferred Gifts

This research examines how the social context in which gifts are selected influences gift choices. Six experiments show that, when givers select gifts for multiple recipients, they tend to pass up gifts that would be better liked by one or more recipients in favor of giving different gifts to each recipient, even when recipients will not compare gifts. This overindividuation does not seem to arise because givers perceive recipients’ preferences differently when they consider them together versus separately: although givers’ gift selections differ between a one-recipient and multiple-recipient context, their perceptions of which gifts would be better liked do not. Rather, overindividuation seems to arise because givers try to be thoughtful by treating each recipient as unique. Consistent with this, givers are more likely to overindividuate when they are encouraged to be thoughtful. Focusing givers on recipients’ preferences reduces overindividuation and can help givers select better-liked gifts.
The treatment of stimulant dependence.

Rehabilitation efforts offered to individuals with stimulant dependence incorporate a series of maneuvers to accomplish three major goals. Following active detoxification, most clinicians attempt to: (1) increase motivation for abstinence and maintain a high level of commitment to this goal; (2) help individuals to rebuild a stable life-style without substances; and (3) actively work toward ways of decreasing the probability of relapse (relapse prevention). While these activities incorporate education, counseling, outreach to families and exposure to self-help groups (e.g. Cocaine Anonymous), numerous pharmacological approaches have been tested. Each mode of drug therapy is based on a reasonable hypothesis, but appropriately controlled and structured clinical trials have not yet revealed any pharmacological approach for rehabilitation of stimulant-dependent individuals for which the risks have been shown to outweight the assets.
Bone Marrow-Derived Cells Home to and Regenerate Retinal Pigment Epithelium after Injury

Purpose To determine whether hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSCs/HPCs) can home to and regenerate the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) after induced injury.
Wurtzite GaN-based heterostructures by molecular beam epitaxy

Progress in plasma and reactive molecular beam epitaxy (PMBE and RMBE) grown n- and p-type GaN and GaN-AlGaN-based epitaxial films and optoelectronic devices is reviewed. The growth of GaN by RMBE (PMBE) is achieved by employing ammonia gas (plasma activated nitrogen) as the nitrogen source with resultant growth rates of about 2 /spl mu/m/h (/spl ges/1 /spl mu/m/h). The structural, electrical, and optical properties of binary and ternary (Al,Ga)N and (In,Ga)N layers point to high quality. The GaN layers with Mg as the dopant atoms are p-type without any postgrowth treatment, but the hole concentrations are limited to mid 10/sup 17/ cm/sup -3/ although reports in the low 10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/ dot the literature. The background carrier concentration, mobility, optical characteristics and ability to dope p-type depend significantly on the substrate temperature and V-III ratio employed, AlGaN-GaN, and GaN-InGaN electroluminescent devices have been realized but lack commercial quality. The AlGaN-GaN photodiodes by RMBE exhibited a maximum zero-bias responsivity of 0.12 A/W at 364 nm, which decreased by more than three orders of magnitude for wavelengths longer than 390 nm. A reverse bias of -10 V raised the responsivity to 0.15 A/W without any significant increase in noise. The noise equivalent noise power near zero bias is below the detection limit of the measurement setup. At a reverse bias of 28 V, the total noise equivalent power is 2.06/spl times/10/sup -11/ W.
Using Risk Contracting to Reduce Service Use, Improve Quality, and Strengthen Primary Care

The high costs of American health care, the related problem of the uninsured, and the grim fiscal prognosis of Medicare and Medicaid are among the most pressing challenges facing the United States today. A solution to the cost problem that does not reduce access or quality is sought by those at all points on the political spectrum. This article discusses the experience of an independent practice association that has collaborated with a related business partner and a health plan to improve the quality of care of 16,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries while substantially reducing hospitalization rates and overall service use. The capacity to reduce service use frees funds that are used to support the infrastructure for high-value care and to reward those who provide it. Higher performing primary care, supported by changes in payment, has driven a sustainable business model that preserves the option of independent practice for physicians. We are now testing competencies developed for Medicare Advantage in the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization program, which preserves the broad patient choice that is an important feature of traditional Medicare.
Real-m bounds based on fixed shapes in the Nyquist plane: parabolas, hyperbolas, cissoids, nephroids, and octomorphs

Abstract In this paper we introduce new bounds for the real structured singular value. The approach is based on absolute stability criteria with plant-dependent multipliers that exclude the Nyquist plot from fixed plane curve shapes containing the critical point − + jO. Unlike half-plane and circle-based bounds the critical feature of the fixed curve bounds is their ability to differentiate between the real and imaginary components of the uncertainty. Since the plant-dependent multipliers have the same functional form at all frequencies, the resulting graphical interpretation of the absolute stability criteria are frequency independent in contrast to the frequency-dependent off-axis circles that arise in standard real-μ bounds.