cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On increasing the supply of nurses: An interstate analysis

During a period in which the health care system is undergoing a great deal of change and is subject to shifts in policy, it is necessary to understand the workings of each of its markets. In this paper the nursing market is analyzed. Among the studies in the literature on this subject is that of Benham [1971], whose work has been extended in this research. Benham used state-aggregated data for 1950 and 1960 to estimate a three equation model of supply and demand for registered nurses (RN's). Equations for RN wage, RN stock, and RN labor force participation rate were estimated. The model presented here is extended to include licensed practical nurses (LPN's) who are an important substitute for registered nurses in most practice environments. In addition, the participation rate equations, which have 0-1 range dependent variables, are estimated using the logit transformation. Because the duties, as opposed to training, of the two groups of nurses overlap greatly, simultaneous treatment of the two markets is important. The reaction of each in response to policy changes will determine outcomes. In regulation of the nursing market, especially as it relates to concerns about ameliorating nurse shortages, there are three policy alternatives generally given consideration. The first is to provide nursing educational subsidies that will increase the output of new nurses. The expectation is that nurse stocks will rise and, for a given participation rate, nurse labor supply will increase.
Use of the Internet by Informal Caregivers Assisting People with Multiple Sclerosis

The Internet is used to help informal caregivers provide assistance to people with chronic illness and disability. We identified factors associated with Internet use by informal caregivers assisting people with multiple sclerosis (MS) using a logistic regression model. Duration of MS in the person receiving care and caregiver age predicted lower Internet use. More hours per week providing care and higher caregiver educational level increased odds of Internet use. The Internet can be a low-cost service delivery option to provide education and support to caregivers assisting people with MS.
Continuously infused intrathecal baclofen for spastic/dystonic hemiplegia: a preliminary report.

The objective of this study was to determine whether the continuous intrathecal delivery of baclofen will control spastic hypertonia associated with long-standing hemiplegia from acquired brain injury. Six hemiparetic patients (average age, 50 (range, 42-66) yr) with more than 6 mo of disabling lower limb spastic hypertonia on one side caused by either a unilateral traumatic brain injury or a stroke were recruited in a consecutive manner. The setting was a tertiary care outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation center directly attached to a university hospital. Patients were screened via a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design to receive either an intrathecally administered bolus injection of normal saline or 50 microg of baclofen. Data for Ashworth rigidity scores, spasm scores, and deep tendon reflex scores were collected on the affected upper limb and lower limb side. Those who dropped an average of two points on their affected lower limb side Ashworth scores were then offered computer-controlled pump implantation for continuous intrathecal administration of baclofen. Differences over time were assessed via descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test. After 3 mo of treatment, the average lower limb Ashworth score on the affected side decreased from 3.7 +/- 1.0 to 1.9 +/- 0.6 standard deviation (SD) (P 0.05). The average upper limb Ashworth score on the affected side decreased from 3.4 +/- 0.9 to 2.1 +/- 0.9 SD (P = 0.0002), the reflex score from 2.3 +/- 0.5 to 1.7 +/- 0.5 SD (P > 0.050, and the spasm score from 0.8 +/- 1.3 to 0 +/- 0 SD (P > 0.05). The average intrathecally administered dose of baclofen that was required to attain these effects was 205.3 microg, which was continuously infused for 24 h. Continuous intrathecal infusion of baclofen is capable of maintaining a reduction in the dystonia on the hemiparetic side without significantly affecting motor strength on the normal side.
Preparation of alkyl-Fp [Fp = (C5H5)Fe(CO)2] complexes via organometallic reagents: reactions of RMgX and RLi with Fp-I and Fp-THF+BF4-

Abstract The preparation of alkyl substituted Fp Complexes [Fp = (C 5 H 5 )Fe(CO) 2 ] by the reaction of Grignard or alkyl lithium reagents with Fp-I and Fp -THF + BF 4 - has been investigated. Small alkyl substituents (Me, Pr, Bu) provided moderate yields of Fp-R in the reaction of the corresponding lithium or magnesium reagent with Fp-I. Cyclohexyl and phenyl Grignard reagents showed coupling of the organic fragments and concomitant production of Fp 2 . Increased yields of Fp-R and decreased generation of Fp 2 were observed when Fp-THF + was used in place of Fp-I. Secondary nucleophiles gave substantially lower yields.
Applications of multi‐stage Monte Carlo integer programs

Monte Carlo optimization has been shown to be useful in solving multivariate optimization problems. In most Monte Carlo simulations, to find the optimal solution of an integer programming problem, the computer gets close to the true optimal solution, but does not find the exact optimal. This can be a problem at times but it can be overcome by multi‐stage Monte Carlo integer programs that find a preliminary nearly optimal solution and use this as a focal point and springboard for finding the true optimal.
Influence of De-icers on the Corrosion and Fatigue Behavior of 4140 Steel

The purpose of this test was to evaluate the effects of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) and sodium chloride (NaCl)—two common substances used to de-ice roadways—on the corrosion and fatigue behavior of annealed AISI 4140 steel. When CMA-corroded, NaCl-corroded, and as-machined samples were tested using R = 0.1, and f = 20 Hz, it was found that, within the scope of this study, samples corroded in both 3.5% CMA solution and 3.5% NaCl solution exhibited a lower fatigue strength than samples tested in the as-machined, uncorroded condition. For the short lives tested in this study, the difference in the effects of CMA and NaCl is minimal. However, at longer lives it is suspected, based on the trends, that the CMA solution would be less detrimental to the fatigue life.
Deposition of Cu films from supercritical fluids using Cu(I) β-diketonate precursors

Cu films were deposited onto planar and etched silicon substrates by the hydrogen-assisted reduction of a series of copper(I)(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-acetylacetonate)L compounds [Cu(I)(hfac)L] where L is (2- butyne), (1,5-cyclooctadiene), (vinyltrimethylsilane) or (2-methyl-1-hexene-3-yne) in supercritical solvents using a cold wall, high pressure reactor. At substrate temperatures of 225 °C and a pressure of 200 bar, H2 reduction of Cu(I)(hfac)(2-butyne) in CO2 yielded high purity films with exceptional step coverage in features as narrow as 100 nm with an aspect ratio of eight. Planar films deposited by H2 reduction of each of the precursors in supercritical CO2 and Cu(I)(hfac)(2-butyne) in supercritical C2F6 exhibited little carbon or oxygen contamination. Attempts to deposit high purity Cu films by the thermal disproportionation of the Cu(I)(hfac)L precursors in supercritical CO2 in the absence of H2 at 225 °C were unsuccessful and yielded highly oxidized Cu films in each case. Thermal disproportionation of Cu(I)(hfac)(2-butyne) in supercritical C2F6 also yielded poor quality films, although oxygen contamination was less severe than in CO2.
Analysis of the Q branch of the 3ν3 overtone of UF6: The implied structure of the nν3 ladder☆☆☆

Abstract Spectra of the 3ν3 region of 238UF6 near 1875.5 cm−1 have been obtained at 256 K with path lengths up to 400 m using tunable semiconductor diode lasers. Seventeen features have been assigned to 27 Q-branch fine-structure levels, and five molecular parameters have been derived. Two of these refer to vibration-rotation interaction and agree well with earlier values determined from the ν3 fundamental band. The remaining three constants are pure vibrational. They, along with information from the ν3 fundamental, determine the excited vibrational structures of the nν3 overtones, to the second order of approximation in the formalism of Hecht. These structures are consistent with strong localization of the three individual components of the triply degenerate ν3 mode of vibration. Comparisons are made with the two-photon spectrum of Harzer, Schweizer, and Selter, and with the bond-stretching model of Halonen and Child.
On the hydrogen and oxygen content of marine phytoplankton

The traditionally used “Redfield” formula for the average composition of the organic tissue of marine phytoplankton, (CH2O)106(NH3)16(H3PO4), is found to be in disagreement with observations regarding its oxygen and hydrogen content. Based on considerations of metabolite composition and various observations, a new formula is proposed, C106H175O42N16P, which should be a better approximation to mean algal elemental composition. Estimates suggest that Redfield's algal Corg/N/P ratio of 106/16/1 is consistent with −O2P oxidation ratios between 140 and 160, rather than the traditional value of 138.
Determination of four arsenic species in soil by sequential extraction and high performance liquid chromatography with post-column hydride generation and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry detection†‡

Several procedures, involving various solvents and ultrasound, were evaluated for the extraction of four arsenic species, arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)), monomethylarsonate (MMA) and dimethylarsinate (DMA), from a silt loam soil to which species had been added at a concentration of 20 mg kg−1. The best extraction was by a two-stage procedure: shaking for 24 h in the presence of 0.1 mol l−1 phosphoric acid followed by shaking for 24 h in 1.0 mol l−1 sodium hydroxide solution. The arsenic species in the extracts were separated by high performance ion-exchange liquid chromatography, derivatized to hydrides by reaction with tetrahydroborate(III) in a multi-mode sample introduction system (MSIS) and quantified by ICP-OES. Detection limits in solution ranged from 0.4 (As(III) and DMA) to 1 (MMA and As(V)) µg l−1, corresponding to 10 and 25 µg kg−1 in a 0.2 g soil sample and 5 ml of extractant. The most significant change over time was that As(III) was converted to As(V). When each species was added individually, arsenic was 100% recovered over a period of several months. When all four species were added together, the recovery was 89%. As the precipitation of humic acids was slow, the sodium hydroxide extract could be acidified and analyzed without loss of analyte species.
Specific inactivation of ribosomes by colicin E3 in vitro and mechanism of immunity in colicinogenic cells.

Colicin E3 is shown to cleave 16S ribosomal RNA of Escherichia coli cells directly, rather than as previously believed by an indirect mechanism initiated by binding of E3 to the cell membrane. Specific immunity conferred on cells that harbour the E3 Col factor is explained in terms of an inhibitor of E3 cleavage reaction found only in colicinogenic cells.
Real-Time Scalable Resource Tracking Framework DIORAMA for Mass Casualty Incidents

DIORAMA system which is using rapid information collection and accurate resource tracking can assist incident commanders in their attempt to bring order to the chaos as they direct rescue operations for Mass Casualty Incidents MCI. This system makes use of active Radio Frequency Identification RFID tags to identify the location and status of the patients and responders involved in a MCI. The authors introduce DIORAMA's hardware and software architecture as well as the trials they conducted with up to 40 human subjects. The authors show that the DIORAMA system can significantly reduce the patient's evacuation time compared to paper triage, consequently reducing the patients' mortality. Moreover, the evacuation completeness of the DIORAMA based evacuation is always 100% as opposed to the paper-based evacuation where a number of patients are left behind. The information provided by the DIORAMA system can improve the coordination of the response to better match supply care providers, ambulances, medical equipment with demand number of patients, level of acuity.
Interaction of aflatoxin B1 with electron-donating organic molecules, including aromatic amino acids

Abstract The interaction of the carcinogenic mycotoxin, aflatoxin B 1 , with some electrondonating organic compounds including aromatic hydrocarbons, dimethylaniline, and aromatic amino acids, was studied. Spectrophotometric analysis of aflatoxin B 1 revealed that hypochromicity in the absorption around 360 nm and hyperchromicity around 385 nm were induced by dimethylaniline, hexamethylbenzene, tryptophan, and imidazole. A similar shifting of aflatoxin B 1 absorption was observed in benzene, toluene, and xylene in the presence of ZnCl 2 . The interaction of aflatoxin B 1 with polystyrene was observed in a biphasic system. The association constants of aflatoxin B 1 : DMA 4 (1:1) and of aflatoxin B 1 : tryptophan (1:1) were found to be 0.64 and 22.6 liters per mole, respectively. The results suggest that charge-transfer interaction occurs between aflatoxin B 1 and these π-electron donors. Since the spectral changes on aflatoxin B 1 absorption induced by these π-electron donors are similar to those induced by nucleic acids and proteins, it is postulated that charge-transfer interaction also occurs between aflatoxin B 1 and these macromolecules. The role of such interaction in the biological activity of aflatoxin B 1 is discussed.
A mathematical model for brain tumor response to radiation therapy

Gliomas are highly invasive primary brain tumors, accounting for nearly 50% of all brain tumors (Alvord and Shaw in The pathology of the aging human nervous system. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, pp 210–281, 1991). Their aggressive growth leads to short life expectancies, as well as a fairly algorithmic approach to treatment: diagnostic magnetic resonance image (MRI) followed by biopsy or surgical resection with accompanying second MRI, external beam radiation therapy concurrent with and followed by chemotherapy, with MRIs conducted at various times during treatment as prescribed by the physician. Swanson et al. (Harpold et al. in J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 66:1–9, 2007) have shown that the defining and essential characteristics of gliomas in terms of net rates of proliferation (ρ) and invasion (D) can be determined from serial MRIs of individual patients. We present an extension to Swanson’s reaction-diffusion model to include the effects of radiation therapy using the classic linear-quadratic radiobiological model (Hall in Radiobiology for the radiologist. Lippincott, Philadelphia, pp 478–480, 1994) for radiation efficacy, along with an investigation of response to various therapy schedules and dose distributions on a virtual tumor (Swanson et al. in AACR annual meeting, Los Angeles, 2007).
Cardiac Autonomic Modulation by Estrogen in Female Mice Undergoing Ambulatory Monitoring and In Vivo Electrophysiologic Testing

INTRODUCTION: Estrogen is an important modulator of cardiovascular risk, but its mechanism of action is not fully understood. We investigated the effect of ovariectomy and its timing on the cardiac electrophysiology in mice. METHODS: Thirty female mice (age 18.8 +/- 3.1 weeks) underwent in vivo electrophysiologic testing before and after autonomic blockade. Fifteen mice were ovariectomized prepuberty (PRE) and ten postpuberty (POST), 2 weeks prior to electrophysiologic testing. Five age-matched sham-operated female mice (Control) served as controls. A subset of 13 mice (5 PRE, 3 POST, and 5 Controls) underwent 24-hour ambulatory monitoring. RESULTS: With ambulatory monitoring, the average (668 +/- 28 vs 769 +/- 52 b/min, P = 0.008) and minimum (485 +/- 47 vs 587 +/- 53 b/min, P = 0.02) heart rates were significantly slower in the ovariectomized mice (PRE and POST groups) compared to the Control group. At baseline electrophysiologic testing, there were no significant differences among the ovariectomized and intact mice in any of the measured parameters. With autonomic blockade, the Control group had a significantly larger change (delta) in the atrioventricular (AV) nodal Wenckebach (AVW) periodicity (deltaAVW = 11.3 +/- 2.9 vs 2.1 +/- 7.3 ms, P = 0.05) and functional refractory period (deltaFRP = 11.3 +/- 2.1 vs 1.25 +/- 6.8 ms, P = 0.02) compared to the ovariectomized mice. These results were not altered by the time of ovariectomy (PRE vs POST groups). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that estrogen modulates the autonomic inputs into the murine sinus and AV nodes. These findings, if replicated in humans, might underlie the observed clustering of certain arrhythmias around menstruation and explain the higher incidence of arrhythmias in men and postmenopausal women.
Nanowiring of a redox enzyme by metallized peptides.

Abstract A molecular assembly consisting of a redox enzyme, NADH peroxidase, a metallized double-helical peptide, and a gold nanoparticle immobilized onto a gold wire derivatized with a benzenedithiol compound, initiated and conducted redox signals in the presence of H 2 O 2 and NADH. The current generated by the binding of NADH, the electron donor, was transduced through the molecular assembly with apparently little loss of signal to the solution. The currents measured correlate to an electron transfer rate constant on the order of 3000 s −1 within each assembly. This electron transfer rate is two orders of magnitude higher than the endogenous electron transfer rate from NADH to the native enzyme, 27 s −1 . This rate indicates that the metallized peptide is in a conformation conducive for electron transfer and, in conjunction with the redox enzyme, can form effective conduits of electrical signals. This work demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing designed and highly efficient biomolecular assemblies for the production of ultra-sensitive, in-situ biosensors.
Sports Facilities - Analyses and New Trends

The possibility to carry out sports activities is one of the factors which increase the quality of life for the citizens of a city. The city of Bratislava ranks among the biggest places of sport activities in Slovakia. Most of the sport facilities were, however, built in the past century; therefore they do not fulfill the demands of technical condition, economic efficiency, do not meet the international criteria of professional sport and do not meet the broad spectrum of the modern sport activities, especially for the younger age group users. It is needed to modernize and build the new sport buildings in all areas of sport, at school sports, sport for all and also in professional and performance sport activities. In accordance with the new trends in design of sports facilities, there is a need to reduce servicing costs, to improve implementation of technologies that increase the quality, safety and economy efficiency. The priority is the creation of multifunctional or hybrid facilities, which can offer the widest range of activities to users. In this report, the survey of the condition of existing sports facilities in Bratislava and proposal for possible solutions to the revitalization or the design of new facilities with sport function is published. The combinations of different activities which are compatible and suitable for multifunctional facilities are also published here.
Analysis of Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) for Fuel Sprays

The spray-tip penetrations and the drop sizes of intermittent fuel sprays were measured by using a modified pulsed optical spray sizer. The average spray tip speeds were determined from simultaneously recorded needle lift signals and obscuration traces. The speeds of a sequence of fuel pulses injected at ∼103 Hz were analyzed to elucidate penetration mechanisms. A correlation that relates penetration distance to time, pressure drop across the nozzle, fuel density, and ambient gas density was obtained. The temporal variations of drop size in penetrating pulses of sprays were measured. The concentration of drops were calculated by combining drop size and obscuration data. The Sauter mean diameter of penetrating fuel drops increased with an increase of the chamber pressure and decreased with an increase of the injection pressure.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Computer forensics programs in higher education: a preliminary study

This paper presents a preliminary survey of computer forensics programs in North America. It summarizes existing requirements for associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs as well as certificate programs. It briefly discusses factors which must be considered when introducing a new program (curriculum design, faculty, students, facilities, and budget).
Reglocalization and the rise of the network cities media system in producing telenovelas for hemispheric audiences

In the context of a new economy and the new international cultural division of labor, we must recognize emerging globalization processes, triggered by the rise of a network cities media system in telenovela production comprising by the axis of Miami, Bogota, Mexico. This system has created an economic-socio-cultural production template I term reglocalization within the Spanishlanguage television industry. Reglocalization is a process through which Latinidad is re-crafted for regional/global consumption, through notions of traveling narratives, multinational settings, and multicultural castings, and transnational co-production agreements in which local entities produce a hybrid version of the region that includes a commodified production of a hemispheric Latinidad for global consumption.
Anaerobic respiratory growth of Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio fischeri and Photobacterium leiognathi with trimethylamine N‐oxide, nitrate and fumarate: ecological implications

Two symbiotic species, Photobacterium leiognathi and Vibrio fischeri, and one non-symbiotic species, Vibrio harveyi, of the Vibrionaceae were tested for their ability to grow by anaerobic respiration on various electron acceptors, including trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), compounds common in the marine environment. Each species was able to grow anaerobically with TMAO, nitrate or fumarate, but not with DMSO, as an electron acceptor. Cell growth under microaerophilic growth conditions resulted in elevated levels of TMAO reductase, nitrate reductase and fumarate reductase activity in each strain, whereas growth in the presence of the respective substrate for each enzyme further elevated enzyme activity. TMAO reductase specific activity was the highest of all the reductases. Interestingly, the bacteria-colonized light organs from the two squids, Euprymna scolopes and Euprymna morsei, and the light organ of the ponyfish, Leiognathus equus, also had high levels of TMAO reductase enzyme activity, in contrast to non-symbiotic tissues. The ability of these bacterial symbionts to support cell growth by respiration with TMAO may conceivably eliminate the competition for oxygen needed for both bioluminescence and metabolism.
A new method for resonant sensing based on noise in nonlinear MEMS

This paper investigates a new method for tracking parameters at which dynamic bifurcations occur in MEMS. Taking advantage of the changes in phase and amplitude which precede a critical pitchfork bifurcation, feedback control of the root mean square of the amplitude can be utilized to stabilize a device on the "edge" of instability. This can then be used as a method of tracking parameter changes in the device, e.g., as a mass sensor. Sensitivity to these device parameters is explored and initial results show sensitivity of 50 ppm for vibration amplitudes near the noise floor.
The variety of pairs of commuting nilpotent matrices is irreducible

In this paper we prove the dimension and the irreduciblity of the variety parametrizing all pairs of commuting nilpotent matrices. Our proof uses the connection between this variety and the punctual Hilbert scheme of a smooth algebraic surface.
Going Forward by Drawing From the Past: Personal Strivings, Personally Meaningful Memories, and Personality Traits

The present research explored the idea that what people strive for in their daily lives is meaningfully linked to their autobiographical memories and stable personality characteristics. Study 1 showed that (a) personal strivings (both self-reported and content coded) are related to the emotional and motivational content of self-defining memories, (b) personal strivings are related to self-esteem and narcissism, and (c) the relation between personal strivings and personality is partially mediated by memory content. Study 2 extended these findings to a longitudinal context and showed that personal strivings and memory content reciprocally influence each other over time. Together, the findings suggest that when people consider how to move forward in their lives, they draw on their past experiences to establish goals for the future and that the way this process plays out is shaped by people's stable personality characteristics.
Procedural and strain-related variables significantly affect outcome in a murine model of focal cerebral ischemia

The recent availability of transgenic mice has led to a burgeoning number of reports describing the effects of specific gene products on the pathophysiology of stroke. Although focal cerebral ischemia models in rats have been well described, descriptions of a murine model of middle cerebral artery occlusion are scant and sources of potential experimental variability remain undefined. We hypothesized that slight technical modifications would produce widely discrepant results in a murine model of stroke and that controlling surgical and procedural conditions could lead to reproducible physiological and anatomic stroke outcomes. To test this hypothesis, we established a murine model that would permit either permanent or transient focal cerebral ischemia by intraluminal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. This study provides a detailed description of the surgical technique and reveals important differences among strains commonly used in the production of transgenic mice. In addition to strain-related differences, infarct volume, neurological outcome, and cerebral blood flow appear to be importantly affected by temperature during the ischemic and postischemic periods, mouse size, and the size of the suture that obstructs the vascular lumen. When these variables were kept constant, there was remarkable uniformity of stroke outcome. These data emphasize the protective effects of hypothermia in stroke and might help to standardize techniques among different laboratories to provide a cohesive framework for evaluating the results of future studies in transgenic animals.
Central anticonvulsant effects of magnesium sulfate on N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizures.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if magnesium sulfate's central anticonvulsant activity is effective against N -methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizures. STUDY DESIGN: In two separate experiments we investigated magnesium sulfate's ability to inhibit N -methyl-D-aspartate-induced hippocampal seizures in rats. In the first experiment magnesium sulfate was administered peripherally before an intracranial injection of 20 µg of N -methyl-D-aspartate. In the second experiment magnesium sulfate was injected intracranially concurrently with N -methyl-D-aspartate. The ability of magnesium sulfate to suppress N -methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizure activity under both conditions was assessed. RESULTS: Peripherally administered magnesium sulfate significantly increased the latency from the time of an N -methyl-D-aspartate injection to the first seizure both by acute injection and after 2 hours of sustained elevation of serum magnesium levels when compared with saline solution-injected controls ( p p p CONCLUSION: Magnesium sulfate has a central anticonvulsant action on N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizures in this rat model of hippocampal seizures.
Myocardial contrast echocardiography and the transmural distribution of flow a critical appraisal during myocardial ischemia not associated with infarction

Abstract Objectives. This study was undertaken to determine whether myocardial contrast echocardiography can be used to estimate the transmural distribution of flow. Background. Myocardial contrast echocardiography has been shown to reliably measure average transmural blood flow during myocardial ischemia. However, there is controversy regarding its ability to determine the transmural distribution of flow. Methods. The transmural distribution of flow was measured in 21 open chest anesthetized dogs with use of radiolabeled microspheres and sonicated albumin microbubbles (mean size 4.5 μm). In the 11 Group I dogs, myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed at baseline and during left anterior descending artery stenosis. In five of these dogs, it was also performed during left circumflex artery stenosis. In these dogs large (mean 12 μm) hand-agitated bubbles were also used. In the five Group II dogs, myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed before and 45 s after intracoronary injection of 6 mg of papaverine in the presence of a critical left circumflex artery stenosis. The five Group III dogs were studied during cardiopulmonary bypass at baseline and during left anterior descending artery stenosis. Off-line image analysis of the echocardiographic images was performed and timeintensity curves obtained from thess images were correlated with radiolabeled microsphere-derived flows. Results. The ratios of the parameters derived from the endocardium and epicardium during myocardial contrast echocardiography were found to correlate poorly (ranging from R2= 0 to R2= 0.35) with radiolabeled microsphere-derived endocardial/ epicardial flow ratios over a wide range of flow ratios (0.01 to 2.58). These results were not influenced either by the location of the regions of interest (left anterior descending vs. left circumflex artery bed) or by the size of the bubbles (4.5 vs. 12 μm). Conclusions. Myocardial contrast echocardiography cannot be used to assess the transmural distribution of flow during myocardial ischemia not associated with infarction.
The effect of post-growth cooling rate on the defect structure in MBE-grown buried layers of Si1−xGex on Si substrates

Abstract The effect of cooling rate on the defect structure in Si 1− x Ge x layers grown on Si (100) substrates has been studied. SiGe layers 200 nm thick, with germanium fractions between 0.09 and 0.14 and capped with a 50-nm layer of Si, were grown by molecular beam epitaxy at temperatures of 550, 710, and 800°C. The defect structure in the layers was studied by means of high resolution double crystal X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy for two different modes of cool-down. In the ‘fast’ mode, the heat source was turned off abruptly, while in the ‘siew’ mode the power was lowered in small steps equal to about 2% of the initial power. The system was then allowed to reach equilibrium before the power was lowered again. X-ray rocking curves showed significant broadening after rapid cool-down from higher temperatures, whereas the corresponding strains decreased only slightly and independently of the rate of cool-down. In order to explain these results, a model is proposed in which the buried layer is distorted into small, slightly misoriented regions by rapid cooling. Thus, the original strain remains unchanged within the small regions and the X-ray profile is broadened primarily by crystalline distortion and without a significant contribution from dislocations. The distortion can lead to fracture for rapid cool-down from sufficiently high temperatures, e.g., 800°C. The model is consistent with both transmission electron microscopy and calculations of stress due to non-uniform cooling.
Demands and capacities versus demands and performance

Abstract This article examines the proposed relabeling of “capacities” as “performance” in the Demands and Capacities Model of stuttering in terms of four issues involving the model's demands component, theoretical versatility, genetic potential, and current clinical uses. Although the proposed changes should resolve the measurement issues of concern, it is suggested that this change may not be of sufficient value or significance for a Demands and Performance Model to supplant the Demands and Capacities Model.
Differential modulation of glutamatergic and cholinergic synapses by calcineurin in hippocampal CA1 fast-spiking interneurons.

Abstract How signaling molecules in inhibitory interneurons modulate and coordinate the integration of synaptic inputs remains largely unknown. We investigated the kinetics and modulation of glutamatergic and cholinergic synapses on CA1 fast-spiking interneurons in hippocampal slices by using whole-cell clamp recording. Spontaneous synaptic currents mediated by either AMPA-type glutamate or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the interneurons can be classified into fast, slow and fast–slow based on their duration and decay phase. Effects of calcineurin, calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, on these two groups of synapses were examined by infusing an autoinhibitory peptide of calcineurin (CaN-AIP) into the recording neurons. CaN-AIP enhanced the amplitude of glutamatergic fast-EPSCs, as well as both amplitude and frequency of cholinergic fast-EPSCs. No significant changes in slow-EPSCs were observed during the infusion of CaN-AIP. Our results indicate that signal transmission at synapses, which are mediated by either AMPA-type glutamate or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, appears different in the kinetics. The selective influence of calcineurin on different synapses in fast-spiking interneurons may play an important role in coordinating thousands of synaptic inputs in order to set neuronal excitability at proper levels.
Evaluation of five basic fluorochromes of potential use in microfluorometric studies of nucleic acids.

Five basic fluorochromes were evaluated to determine whether or not any could be used in microfluorometric studies for the selective demonstration of nucleic acids. Only two of the fluorochromes-Nuclear Yellow (Hoechst 769121) and the phenoxyindole compound D261/37-were found to be selective for nucleic acids, while the other three fluorochromes produced small to moderate amounts of fluorescence in preparations extracted sequentially with RNase and DNase. All of the fluorochromes could be considered “structural probes” since they produced less fluorescence in the highly condensed chromatin of thymocyte nuclei than they did in the less condensed chromatin of hepatocyte nuclei. When exposed to continuous excitation for 2-min intervals, hepatocyte nuclei stained with Nuclear Yellow or D261/37 gradually lost, respectively, approximately 21% or nearly 60% of their original fluorescence. Nuclei stained with the other three fluorochromes displayed much more rapid fading and lost more than 80% of their original fluorescence.
Action of Emulsifers in Promoting Fat Destabilization During the Manufacture of Ice Cream

Abstract Several emulsifiers have been examined in ice cream processing to determine their relative emulsion destabilizing power. The hydrophilic lipophilic balance value of the emulsifier did not account for all of the differences in destabilization; however, destabilizing power corresponded with the resulting interfacial tension between the serum and lipid phases of the mix. Fat destabilization results from the combination of ice crystallization and shear forces during ice cream manufacture. Neither shear nor ice crystallization alone were sufficient to cause the magnitude of destabilization encountered in a typical barrel freezer. It has also been shown that polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, the most powerful destabilizing agent, reduced the amount of protein adsorbed to the fat globule surface. Thus, it is suggested that, based on their ability to lower the interfacial tension, emulsifiers control the adsorption of protein to the fat globule surface. The fat globules thus become more susceptible to coalescence induced by the shear forces of agitation and ice crystallization during ice cream manufacture.
Adapting side effects analysis for modular program model checking

There is a widely held belief that whole program analysis is intractable for large complex software systems, and there can be little doubt that this is true for program analyses based on model checking. Model checking selected program components that comprise a cohesive unit, however, can be an effective way of uncovering subtle coding errors, especially for components of multi-threaded programs. In this setting, one of the chief problems is how to safely approximate the behavior of the rest of the application as it relates to the unit being analyzed.Non-unit application components are collectively referred to as the environment. In this paper, we describe how points-to and side-effects analyses can be adapted to support generation of summaries of environment behavior that can be reified into Java code using special modeling primitives. The resulting abstract models of the environment can be combined with the code of the unit and then model checked against unit properties. We present our analysis framework, illustrate its flexibility in generating several types of models, and present experience that provides evidence of the scalability of the approach.
Robert G. Ingersoll: “True believer” unbeliever

This article contends that Ingersoll, late 19th‐century proponent of agnosticism and strong enemy of the pulpit, reflected a rhetorical stance very similar to that of his foes. He was an evangelical messenger proclaiming the “good news” of rationalism in a heavily two‐valued framework.
Hydrogen Bonding Control of Molecular Self-Assembly: Aggregation Behavior of Acylaminopyridine–Carboxylic Acid Derivatives in Solution and the Solid State

Abstract In this paper we report the design, synthesis and investigation of a family of acylaminopyridine–carboxylic acid monomers that can aggregate through bidentate hydrogen bonding interactions between the carboxylic acid and the aminopyridine sites. We show that in solution the nature of the aggregate depends on the substitution pattern of the monomer and present evidence from NMR and mass spectrometry that in some cases cyclic association occurs.
6‐[123I]Iodo‐2‐[[4‐(2‐methoxyphenyl) piperazin‐1‐yl]methyl]imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine as potential SPECT agent for imaging dopamine D4 receptor: synthesis and in vivo evaluation in a nonhuman primate

The dopamine D4 receptor subtype has drawn considerable attention due to its potential implication in schizophrenia and erectile dysfunction. 6-[123I]Iodo-2-[[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine [123I]-1, a potent and selective new dopamine D4 agonist, was synthesized by classical iododestannylation using sodium [123I]iodide and chloramine-T. Radiolabeling yield varied from 34 to 38% with a radiochemical purity exceeding 99%. Despite a good in vitro profile, in vivo evaluation of this radioligand in baboon showed no brain uptake after i.v. injection. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unbounded speed variability in distributed communication systems

This paper concerns the fundamental problem of synchronizing communication between distributed processes whose speeds (steps per real time unit) vary dynamically. Communication must be established in matching pairs, which are mutually willing to communicate. We show how to implement a distributed local scheduler to find these pairs. The only means of synchronization are boolean "flag" variables, each of which can be written by only one process and read by at most one other process.No global bounds in the speeds of processes are assumed. Processes with speed zero are considered dead. However, when their speed is nonzero then they execute their programs correctly. Dead processes do not harm our algorithms' performance with respect to pairs of other running processes. When the rate of change of the ratio of speeds of neighbour processes (i.e., relative acceleration) is bounded, then any two of these processes will establish communication within a constant number of steps of the slowest process with high likelihood. Thus our implementation has the property of achieving relative real time response. We can use our techniques to solve other problems such as resource allocation and implementation of parallel languages such as CSP and ADA. Note that we do not have any probability assumptions about the system behavior, although our algorithms use the technique of probabilistic choice.
Characterizing Oligosaccharides Using Injected-Ion Mobility/Mass Spectrometry

Injected-ion mobility/mass spectrometry techniques have been used to measure the reduced ion mobilities for negatively charged raffinose, melezitose and α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins formed by electrospray ionization. At low injection energies, the mass spectra are dominated by negatively charged (deprotonated) parent ions. At high injection energies, the mass spectra recorded for the cyclodextrins and raffinose display peaks that result from cross-ring cleavage of individual sugar units. Melezitose dissociates by cleavage of the glycosidic bonds. The ion mobility distributions can be used to distinguish between different isomeric forms of parent and fragment ions having the same mass-to-charge ratios.
Seasonal variation in various blood indices of the kangaroo rat, Dipodomys panamintinus

Abstract 1. 1. Various blood indices in the Panamint kangaroo rat revealed seasonal fluctuations. The red blood cell count during winter and summer averaged 7.2 ± 1.0 × 10 6 and 9.2 ± 0.2 × 10 6 /mm 3 respectively. 2. 2. The mean cell hemoglobin during winter and summer averaged 25 ± 10.8 pg and 18.6 ± 3.7 pg respectively. 3. 3. These fluctuations may reveal a rapid rate of red blood cell destruction during winter in combination with a change in diet, concomitant to this, is an increase in mean cell hemoglobin of the surviving red blood cells.
Inferior Petrosal Sinuses Sampling: Origins, History and Personal Experience with over 500 Cases

Quando il prelievo dei seni petrosi inferiori (IPS) per la diagnosi differenziale della sindrome di Cushing fu introdotto negli ultimi anni 70, la sua validita fu sottostimata a causa della non com...
Fluconazole prophylaxis is associated with a decreased rate of coagulase-negative Staphylococcal infections in a subset of extremely low birth weight neonates

Fluconazole prophylaxis is being used efficaciously in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for fungal prophylaxis in very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates. Little is known about the effect of fluconazole prophylaxis on bacterial infections. The purpose of this study was to examine that issue in a subset of ELBW, those weighing ≤900 g at birth. This is a retrospective study conducted in a level III NICU at state-designated children hospital in New Jersey (USA). We examined the data from our records of neonates ≤900 g birth weight during the period March 1, 2007–February 28, 2011. Inclusion in the study was all infants ≤900 g before (n = 67) and after (n = 81) the institution of fluconazole prophylaxis. Fluconazole prophylaxis was accompanied by a significant decrease in both the rate and number of days of bacterial infections as well as co-infections. We found that the incidence of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CONS) decreased from 46.2 to 24.7 % (OR 2.63; 95 % CI 1.31–5.27). Similarly, days of infection also decreased significantly (p < 0.0001). These data suggest that fluconazole prophylaxis may be associated with a reduction in CONS infections in that subset of ELBW neonates.
Moment method analysis of the electric shielding factor of a conducting TM shield at ELF

This paper presents an integral equation and method of moments (MM) solution to the problem of TM transmission by a metallic conducting shield at extremely low frequencies (ELF). To obtain an accurate and efficient solution, the equivalent volume polarization currents representing the shield are expanded in terms of physical basis functions, corresponding to two planewaves propagating normal to the surface of the shield. ELF approximations are used to obtain closed form expressions for certain crucial elements in the MM matrix equation where extreme accuracy between the relative magnitudes of self and mutual impedance terms are required. Numerical data will illustrate that despite the fact that the equivalent polarization currents are being computed very accurately, the method is not capable of computing the extreme near zone electric fields of these currents with sufficient accuracy to compute the electric shielding factor. An alternate method, based upon the use of the volume equivalence theorem to directly compute the total electric field in the shield is devised, and is found to accurately compute the electric shielding factor. >
Effects of race and social class on preschool performance on the developmental test of visual‐motor integration

The visual-motor integration of preschool children who varied in terms of race, sex, and socioeconomic status was assessed using the Beery-Buktenica Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI). An analysis of covariance revealed that there were significant main effects for race, sex, and socioeconomic status. Since, at the three- and four-year level, the VMI was normed only on white suburban children, the results of this study seemed to indicate the need for norms for black children at the preschool level. Thus, the second part of this paper reports normative data for black preschool children on the VMI.
A compact CPW-Fed microstrip patch antenna array for unmanned miniature aerial vehicle RADAR

With a maximum gain of 6 dBi, sufficiently wide radiation patterns in both planes, as well as sufficient bandwidth and isolation, the antenna has met or exceeded all of the initial design goals. In addition, the entire array weighs less than 13 grams. Best of all, further weight reduction is possible with this design, since materials as thin as 10 mils could be used for fabrication without reducing performance.
Nest and Immatures of the South American Anthidiine Bee Notanthidium (Allanthidium) chilense (Urban) (Apoidea: Megachilidae)

ABSTRACT A nest of the leaf-cutter bee Notanthidium (Allanthidium) chilense (Urban) (Anthidiini) is described and illustrated, the second such account for the genus. The nest, presumably constructed from resin, consisted of four cells and was attached to a stem of the plant genus Baccharis (Asteraceae) in the high Andes of northern Chile. The cells held two postdefecating larvae, a male pupa, and an emerged adult female, all in cocoons, permitting the first descriptions of the immature stages and cocoon for the genus. To the extent possible the immatures are compared with those of other tribal members.
Integrated workstations for reliable, site-independent security monitoring and control

The Security Console Project at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has designed and implemented a series of security communications command centers for monitoring and controlling its physical security systems. The author discusses the important aspects of this project that address reliable, site-independent operation. Major concepts presented include the use of operator workstations, map-based alarm displays, rule-based incident assessment, and computer-aided configuration management. >