cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wavenumber evolution in Rayleigh-Bénard convection with air in moderate size containers

Abstract We summarize here the results of wavenumber evolution in Rayleigh-Benard experiments with air in moderate size rectangular containers. The wavenumber reduction selection mechanism originates from growth of skewed varicose instability, and is facilitated by dynamical motions of dislocation defects in the convection roll pattern. The regime of stable, two-dimensional convection roll patterns in moderate size containers is found to exist, however, at much larger buoyant potential than that observed and predicted in wide horizontal layers. We suggest that this aspect of Rayleigh-Benard convection in gases derives from a stabilization of the pattern as forced by the modulation effects of all vertical boundaries in the container. The wavenumber evolution reported here accounts for new experimental results, which exhibit two alternative branches in the commencement of the secondary bifurcation structure.
An applied model for the facilities design problem

Abstract A model ia described which can be used to assist in the design of a facility, where the facilities design includes the selection of the materials handling system and the placement of departments within the facility. The model is entitled COFAD, an acronym representing Computerized FAcilities Design. COFAD selects the facilities design which approaches the minimal materials handling system cost. The input requirements and the utilization of COFAD are demonstrated via an example problem. Although it is shown that the model results in good solutions, due to the complexity of the design problem, no claim of optimality can be made.
Direct pharmacologic and osmolal effects of contrast media on the mechanics of heart muscle isolated from cats

We studied 56 right ventricular papillary muscles isolated from cats to determine whether the direct mechanical effects of contrast media are due to their pharmacologic action or to the hyperosmolality caused by them. A 10% solution of Renografin-76 abruptly decreased force 22% below control, then slowly increased it to 22% above control. To elucidate these changes we also studied: (1) Renografin-60 (lower concentration of diatrizoate); (2) meglumine and diatrizoate; (3) meglumine alone; (4) diatrizoate sodium; (5) ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) (same concentration as in Renografin-76); (6) sucrose to increase osmolality; and (7) Amipaque (metrizamide), a contrast medium without meglumine or diatrizoate. All solutions containing meglumine, and EDTA alone decreased force. Diatrizoate sodium also decreased force initially, presumably due to the high sodium concentration. Meglumine alone decreased force abruptly and substantially. In contrast, metrizamide and 100 mmol sucrose only increased force. Thus, the abrupt decrease in force was caused by the pharmacologic action of meglumine, EDTA, or high sodium in the contrast media, whereas the slow increase in force was caused by hyperosmolality.
Introduction to the role of air pollution in heart disease

Major risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease include hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and lack of physical exercise. While most of these factors act chronically, some of them (e.g., smoking) may acutely affect the cardiovascular system. Besides these major risk factors, there are also a number of triggers and risk factors that may produce acute short-term physiological changes (such as surge in arterial pressure or heart rate, an increase in coagulability, or vasoconstriction) that can lead to acute cardiovascular events. Air pollution has the potential to serve as both acute and chronic risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Some studies suggest that chronic exposure (months to years) may lead to or accelerate atherosclerotic disease. In addition, high air pollution days may also serve as a trigger whereby an acute increase in air pollution may result in deleterious physiologic changes that simulate acute cardiac events. This issue of Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health presents papers based on presentations given at a Continuing Medical Education Symposium entitled “The Role of Air Pollution in Heart Disease,” presented at the Heart Institute of Good Samaritan Hospital, an affiliate of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, on September 11, 2009. The purpose of the symposium was to provide physicians, researchers, and health professionals with information regarding the adverse effects of air pollution on the cardiovascular system and the mechanisms responsible for air pollution-related cardiovascular toxicity.
Giving patrons what they want: the promise, process and pitfalls of providing full‐text access to journals

Providing convenient access to journals for users in a geographically dispersed university was a challenge for the Pennsylvania State University Libraries’ Full‐Text Implementation Group. The group established and implemented procedures for providing full‐text access to general interest periodicals to all Penn State users, both in the libraries and remotely. This paper discusses the formation of the group, addresses the decisions made about providing full‐text, the procedures established to implement and promote full‐text, the problems encountered during implementation, and the future of full‐text access at Penn State.
Reaction free energies in organic solvents: comparing different quantum mechanical methods

A variety of quantum mechanical (QM) methods, basis sets and solute cavity descriptions using the conductor-like polarisable continuum model for the modelling of reaction free energies in solution have been evaluated and compared. In order to test the performance of each QM level of theory and cavity model, five common types of organic reactions in different solvents have been considered. The study shows that the hybrid metageneralised-gradient approximation M05-2X functional, in conjunction with the MG3S basis set and UA0 or universal force field cavities, produces results in the best overall agreement with experimental data. In addition, within the UA0 formalism, explicit cavities should be built on the hydrogen atoms that undergo transformation during chemical reaction.
Acquistion and Accuracy in Rapid NMR Imaging Methods

The echo-planar imaging method (EPI) and its variants can acquire data sufficient to form an image in a much shorter time than the Fourier or projection-reconstruction methods. Fundamental requirements on gradient waveforms and signal sampling are discussed for EPI and SEPI (a variant using sinusoidal gradient waveforms), based on the k-trajectory formulation of acquisition in NMR imaging. Using a new simulation method, image defects in EPI and SEPI are demonstrated which result from failure to meet these requirements. Faithful rendition of theoretically ideal gradient waveforms places severe demands on gradient system response in rapid imaging. It is shown, however, that nonideal gradient system response need not degrade images if appropriate reconstruction computations are used. Transfer functions and noise power spectra are derived for EPI and SEPI, and the ratio of these two functions is used to derive ideal observer signal-to-noise ratios for simple visual interpretive tasks. It is shown that ideal observer performance can differ significantly between EPI and SEPI for some visual tasks, using the same NMR imaging system.
Regional changes in the distribution of foreign aid: An entropy approach

Abstract Foreign aid contributes significantly to the income levels and economic viability of many developing countries. This paper investigates the dispersion in the distribution of foreign aid using the Theil entropy measure of inequality. Results show that the inequality (dispersion) of foreign aid has increased substantially in recent years. The increased inequality in the total distribution of aid has been due to both increases in the regional inequality of aid and increases in the average inequality of aid within each region. As a result, the distribution of aid is becoming less alike between regions and between countries within regions.
A multi-agent system for computer science education

In this paper, we present a multi-agent system for supporting student-centered, self-paced, and highly interactive learning in undergraduate computer science education. The system is based on a hybrid problem-based and case-based learning model, for both creative problem solving and mechanical experience simulation. It aims at enhancing the effectiveness of the undergraduate learning experience in computer science. Implemented using the prevalent Internet, Web, and digital library technologies, the system adopts an open architecture design and targets at large-scale, distributed operations. In the initial implementation of the system, a number of prototypes using different Java-based software environments have been developed. They offer tradeoffs in system performance and design complexity.
Can Teacher Quality Be Effectively Assessed? National Board Certification as a Signal of Effective Teaching

Abstract In this paper, we describe the results of a study assessing the relationship between the certification of teachers by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and elementary-level student achievement. We examine whether NBPTS assesses the most effective applicants, whether certification by NBPTS serves as a signal of teacher quality, and whether completing the NBPTS assessment process serves as a catalyst for increasing teacher effectiveness. We find consistent evidence that NBPTS is identifying the more effective teacher applicants and that National Board Certified Teachers are generally more effective than teachers who never applied to the program. The statistical significance and magnitude of the “NBPTS effect,” however, differs significantly by grade level and student type. We do not find evidence that the NBPTS certification process itself does anything to increase teacher effectiveness.
The Rhetoric of the Social Security Debate

This article examines the rhetoric of the debate about Social Security. It suggests that political opportunism by Presidents Johnson and Clinton undermined the rhetorical position of supporters of Social Security. It details the approach taken by neoconservatives in their efforts to dismantle the system and suggests rhetorical responses that have been effective in countering those efforts. It also traces the ebb and flow of confidence in the system, as measured by public opinion polls.
Age at Natural Menopause and Mortality

Abstract PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between age at menopause and mortality in a population-based sample of women in the United States. METHODS: This study was based on data from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) Epidemiologic Follow-up Study; 3191 women aged 50–86 years were included. There were 345 deaths over a mean follow-up time of 4.0 years. We used age-stratified and Poisson regression procedures to assess mortality risk by age at natural menopause, with adjustment for age, duration of follow-up, race, education, smoking, and use of hormone replacement therapy. We conducted a separate analysis for surgical menopause with bilateral oophorectomy. RESULTS: Compared with women who were menstruating to age 50 or later, the adjusted mortality rate ratios (RR) were 1.50 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.97–2.34) for women with a natural menopause at age CONCLUSIONS: This study provides some support for the concept that age at natural menopause serves as a biological marker of health and aging, with potential implications extending beyond cardiovascular diseases.
Comments on “Coordination of Groups of Mobile Autonomous Agents Using Nearest Neighbor Rules”

We clarify the relation between the model and the convergence results of Jadbabaie to those of Bertsekas We show that the update equations in Jadbabaie are a special case of those in Bertsekas Furthermore, the main convergence results in Sections II and III of Jadbabaie are essentially the same as those derived earlier in Bertsekas
The CD4/CD8 ratio: Message in a bottle?

Family studies demonstrate population variation and genetic control in the CD4/CD8 ratio (pages 1279–1283).
The Top 10 Illusions of Systems Engineering: A Research Agenda

Abstract Traditional systems engineering is predicated upon prediction and control. Prediction is required to attain some degree of confidence that design and manufacture decisions will yield desired results. Control is necessary to ensure that subsystems meet the needs of the overarching system. While this paradigm was successful for decades, evolving circumstances have resulted in two challenges. First, the increasing complexity of systems has eroded the system engineer's ability to predict the outcome of his or her design decisions. Second, the need to interconnect existing systems in the form of a system of systems challenges the system engineer's ability to exercise technical control because of the operational and managerial independence of the constituent systems. The application of a process predicated on invalid assumptions is not likely to achieve desirable results. This paper presents the top 10 assumptions, which are often illusory in today's systems environment. Unfortunately, our current systems engineering practices are based on heuristics dependent on many of these assumptions, often in the context of aerospace and defense programs, that have been acquired during the past half century, rather than on a solid body of scientific knowledge and are inadequate to support the discipline's necessary transformation. Consequently, research is critical to create the foundations that can support a new paradigm for systems engineering, one that is based on the reality of engineering systems in which deterministic prediction and control are no longer possible in many circumstances.
Evidence-based dentistry and translational research☆

Abstract Rationale for Clinical Decision Making Evidence-based dentistry is an emerging approach to the practice of oral biology and medicine that seeks to integrate the best available research evidence into clinical practice for the maximum benefit of each individual patient. It is a new philosophy, some say, a novel mindset, an innovative system that establishes a bridge between the domains of clinical evidence and of research evidence. It favors the preventive model of intervention aimed at ensuring wellness and quality of life in our patients over the traditional style of “drill, fill, and repair.” J Evid Base Dent Pract 2003;3:5-7
A linkage map of mouse chromosome 1 using an interspecific cross segregating for the gld autoimmunity mutation.

An interspecific backross was used to define a high resolution linkage map of mouse Chromosome (Chr) 1 and to analyze the segregation of the generalized lymphoproliferative disease (gld) mutation. Mice homozygous for gld have multiple features of autoimmune disease. Analysis of up to 428 progeny from the backcross [(C3H/HeJ-gld x Mus spretus)F1 x C3H/HeJ-gld] established a map that spans 77.6 cM and includes 56 markers distributed over 34 ordered genetic loci. The gld mutation was mapped to a less than 1 cM segment on distal mouse Chr 1 using 357 gld phenotype-positive backcross mice. A second backcross, between the laboratory strains C57BL/6J and SWR/J, was examined to compare recombination frequency between selected markers on mouse Chr 1. Significant differences in crossover frequency were demonstrated between the interspecific backcross and the inbred laboratory cross for the entire interval studied. Sex difference in meiotic crossover frequency was also significant in the laboratory mouse cross. Two linkage groups known to be conserved between segments of mouse Chr 1 and the long arm of human Chrs 1 and 2 where further defined and a new conserved linkage group was identified that includes markers of distal mouse Chr 1 and human Chr 1, bands q32 to q42.
Recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in human immunodeficiency virus‐seropositive women

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on the rate of recurrence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) after standard ablative therapy, and to correlate the degree of immunosuppression with treatment results. METHODS The clinical courses of 44 HIV-positive women with CIN were compared with those of 125 HIV-negative women. Patients were treated with cryotherapy, laser therapy, or cone biopsy per standard indications and were followed with cytology at regular intervals, with a range of follow-up of 3-43 months. RESULTS Seventeen of 44 HIV-positive women (39%) developed biopsy-proven recurrent CIN, compared to 11 of 125 HIV-negative women (9%) (P < .01). The distributions of CIN severity, lesion size, and modality of treatment were similar in the two groups. In HIV-negative patients, recurrent CIN was associated with increasing grade, but in HIV-positive patients, recurrence was related to increasing immunosuppression. The mean CD4 count in HIV-positive patients with recurrence was 239/mm3, compared to 367/mm3 in HIV-positive patients who remained free of CIN. Only 18% of HIV-positive patients with CD4 counts over 500/mm3 had recurrence, compared to 45% of those with CD4 counts under 500. There was a trend toward poorer treatment results with the use of cryotherapy in HIV-positive patients. All recurrences occurred in patients whose mode of acquisition of HIV was heterosexual transmission. CONCLUSION Recurrence rates of CIN after standard treatment in HIV-positive women are high, and recurrence is related to immune status in this high-risk group. Therapeutic strategies that address these treatment failures should be developed for HIV-seropositive women.
Radiation Budgets in the Western Tropical Pacific

The usefulness of the radiances measured by operational satellites in deriving radiation budgets is demonstrated by comparing the model calculations with the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) fluxes. The radiation budgets in the atmosphere and at the surface in the western tropical Pacific are computed by coupling radiative transfer models to satellite retrievals of cloud and the earth surface parameters for April 1985 and April 1987. The model-computed fluxes at the top of the atmosphere agree well with the ERBE fluxes in both the solar and IR spectral regions. The difference is greater than 10 W/sq m in the outgoing longwave flux and greater than 15 W/sq m in the net downward shortwave flux. The agreement indicates that long-term earth radiation budgets in the tropical Pacific can be computed using the radiances measured by operational satellites.
Health Identification and Outcome Prediction for Outsourcing Services Based on Textual Comments

Outsourcing service opportunities go through a complex and laborious process beginning with RFP processing and continuing through solutioning, proposal development, costing, pricing, contract definition and closing. A key issue for service providers is to understand the health status of a given service opportunity engagement based on available information at any point in time during the engagement. This capability enables them to bring excelling engagements to a faster close, and identify and help troubled engagements. As a related problem, service providers are interested in understanding the win chances of engagements in order to prioritize their pipelines for planning and resource management purposes. In this paper, we propose a new sentiment-based approach for identifying and monitoring the health of opportunities by analyzing weekly comments made by sales teams for each engagement. We then present a novel method for feature extraction and selection from the engagements' comments. This approach combines text-based and sentiment-based features and identifies highly predictive features that are then used to predict the outcome of engagements. We report on experiments performed on an industrial dataset, which shows our prediction approach achieves a high win prediction accuracy. We describe a method for providing a supplementary confidence level and linguistic features that facilitates the interpretation of the predicted outcome.
The effect of tranquilizing agents and related compounds on the succinoxidase system.

Abstract The effect of 13 tranquilizing agents or their pharmacologically inactive analogs on the succinoxidase system was determined. The phenothiazine group of drugs inhibited the succinoxidase system most strongly and was followed closely in this property by reserpine, the derivatives of phenyl carbinol being the least active. Quiactin was relatively inactive. In all cases, cytochrome oxidase was more sensitive and succinic dehydrogenase less sensitive to inhibition than the complete succinoxidase system. Brain succinoxidase was less sensitive to inhibition than liver succinoxidase. It is concluded that inhibition of succinoxidase is not related to the mechanism of action of the tranquilizers.
S-nitrosylation of FLICE inhibitory protein determines its interaction with RIP1 and activation of NF-κB

Death receptor (DR) ligation can lead to divergent signaling pathways causing either caspase-mediated cell death or cell proliferation and inflammation. These variations in cellular fate are determined by adaptor proteins that are recruited to the DR signaling complex. FLICE inhibitory protein (FLIP) is an established inhibitor of caspase-8-mediated apoptosis, and it is also involved in NF-κB activation. However, the molecular mechanism that regulates FLIP within this complex is unknown. In this study, we provide new evidence for the regulation of NF-κB by FLIP through S-nitrosylation, which involves covalent modification of the protein’s cysteine thiol by nitric oxide to form S-nitrosothiol. Point mutations of FLIP at cysteine residues 254 and 259 prevent FLIP S-nitrosylation and its ability to activate NF-κB. The mechanism by which FLIP nitrosylation regulates NF-κB activity involves RIP1 binding and redistribution, whereas TRAF2 binding and distribution are unaffected. We further show that FLIP processing and cleavage is dependent on its nitrosylation status. Collectively, our study reveals a novel pathway for FLIP regulation of NF-κB through protein S-nitrosylation, which is a key posttranslational mechanism controlling DR-mediated cell death and survival. Since increased expression of FLIP and nitric oxide are frequently observed in chemotherapy-resistant tumors, S-nitrosylation of FLIP could be a key mechanism of chemoresistance and tumor growth.
Locus coeruleus unit activity in freely moving cats is increased following systemic morphine administration.

Abstract Contrary to previous reports of morphine's depression of locus coeruleus (LC) unit activity in anesthetized animals, acute administration of morphine (0.5, 2.0 or 4.0 mg/kg, i.p.) did not decrease the unit activity of noradrenergic neurons in the area of the LC of freely moving cats. In fact at the higher doses examined (2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg) morphine significantly increased unit activity. Naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) administration reversed the increase in unit activity produced by morphine. When these same studies were conducted in cats first anesthetized with chloral hydrate, morphine produced a significant decrease in unit activity in a naloxone-reversible manner. These results suggest that previous reports of systemic morphine's depression of LC unit activity may be at least partiallyattributable to an interaction with anesthesia. Morphine's multiplicity of actions upon the LC is discussed.
Discrimination of trait-based characteristics by trace element bioaccumulation in riverine fishes

Relations between tissue trace element concentrations and species traits were examined for 45 fish species to determine the extent to which trait-based characteristics accounted for relative differences among species in trace element bioaccumulation. Percentages of fish species correctly classified by discriminant analysis according to traits predicted by tissue trace element concentrations ranged from 72% to 87%. Tissue concentrations of copper, mercury, selenium, and zinc appeared to have the greatest overall influence on differentiating species according to trait characteristics. Discrimination of trait characteristics did not appear to be strongly influenced by local sources of trace elements in the streambed sediment. Bioaccumulation was greatest for those species classified as primarily detritivores, having relatively large adult body size, considered nonmigratory with respect to reproductive strategy, occurring mostly in large or variable size streams and rivers, preferring depositional areas withi...
Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities: An Emerging Paradigm for Natural Resource-Dependent Communities?

Since Kaufman and Kaufman's seminal 1946 study examining the relationship between forests and communities, forest and community paradigms have shifted from (1) utilitarian views that stressed community stability and sustained yield harvests, to (2) ecosystem management and community resilience, to, we posit, (3) a new paradigm of forest and community health. The healthy forests, healthy communities paradigm both builds upon and departs from older paradigms. This article presents a case study of a small, resource-dependent community in eastern Oregon to illustrate the meanings and policy implications of this emerging paradigm.
Coronary aneurysms after stent placement: a suggestion of altered vessel wall healing in the presence of anti-inflammatory agents.

Abstract Coronary aneurysms are rare after conventional angioplasty and have not been reported after coronary stenting. Coronary artery stent sites were examined by follow-up angiography at a median of 4 months in 29 patients who received the Cook stent (Gianturco-Roubin) for acute coronary closure. Nineteen patients were treated with glucocorticoids administered intravenously or orally, or both, with or without colchicine and results were compared with those in 10 patients who were treated with neither agent. Standard therapy for all patients included routine administration of aspirin and heparin before and warfarin sodium (Coumadin) and aspirin after stent placement. Most patients also received dipyridamole and lovastatin during the follow-up period. Compliance with medications was confirmed by telephone conversation with each patient. Six (32%) of the 19 stented arteries showed evidence of coronary artery aneurysm, defined as expansion of the lumen outside the margins of the stent. None of the patients in the control group (who did not receive steroids or colchicine) developed aneurysm. This pattern of altered vascular healing in stented coronary segments appears to be due to the addition of multiple anti-inflammatory drugs rather than to stent presence alone. This observation demonstrates the possibility of medical impairment of normal vascular remodeling after acute injury and stent placement, which may be of benefit in designing future trials on restenosis.
Label-free second harmonic generation holographic microscopy of biological specimens.

Second-order nonlinear holographic microscopy for highspeed, three-dimensional imaging is demonstrated. The use of harmonic generation allows image formation of endogenous features in biological samples such as muscle tissue. We have acquired holograms with acquisition times as short as 10 ms, limited by the switching speed of our shutter; frame rates of 100’s of Hz are expected to be possible. The samples are imaged with a Yb:KGW femtosecond laser oscillator, whose 1027 nm wavelength is well suited to minimize absorption and scattering. The low average power of the oscillator prevents damage to the sample.
Hydrogen production through photoelectrocatalysis on p-type molybdenum sulphide

Abstract The effect of depositing islets of metals having widely different work functions has been examined by means of the measurement of the relation of photocurrent to potential on p-MoS 2 , containing, respectively, islets of Pt, Au, Co, Pb and Cd. From the exponential sections of the photocurrent-potential curves, the shift, ΔE , caused at constant photocurrent by the presence of the metal was observed. The limiting photocurrent is unaffected by the metal islets. Four models for such effects are examined. The evidence seems strongest for a model in which the rate-determining step of electrochemical charge transfer occurs at the islet-solution interface.
Endoluminal repair of infrarenal AAA in the presence of aortic dissection.

Purpose:To report a challenging case of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) treated with a commercial stent-graft in the face of thoracoabdominal aortic dissection.Case Report:A 73-year-old ...
Exponential vs. Factorial

But which of these two is larger? The answer will emerge in the course of our in vestigations, but the reader might want to take a guess before continuing. (Note that we follow the usual convention that grouping in repeated exponentials is to the right. Thus, 99 means 9(9 \ not (99)9. Also, we use repeated exclamation points to denote repeated applications of the factorial function.) We begin by generalizing the foregoing question. We are interested in comparing repeated applications of an exponential function, with any base, and the factorial func tion. In the long run, which leads to larger values? More precisely, suppose that k is a positive integer, b is a positive real number, and c is any real number. Then we recur sively define an iterated exponential sequence {En} based on b and c and an iterated factorial sequence [Fn] based on k as follows:
A comparison of cocaine, lidocaine with epinephrine, and oxymetazoline for prevention of epistaxis on nasotracheal intubation

The alpha-adrenergic agonist oxymetazoline was compared to cocaine and to lidocaine with epinephrine with respect to prevention of epistaxis on nasotracheal intubation. The nares of three groups of 14 patients each were topically pretreated with 4% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (group 1), 10% cocaine (group 2), or 0.05% oxymetazoline (group 3) prior to nasotracheal intubation. After intubation, epistaxis was estimated on a scale of 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no bleeding, 1 representing blood on the nasotracheal tube only, 2 indicating blood pooling in the pharynx, and 3 representing blood in the pharynx sufficient to impede intubation. Only 29% of the patients in group 1 displayed no bleeding, whereas 57% of those in group 2 and 86% of those in group 3 had no bleeding. Nonparametric analysis showed a statistically significant difference (p less than 0.013) between oxymetazoline and lidocaine with epinephrine. In addition, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were examined prior to administration of the medications; at 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes after administration of the medications; and after intubation. No significant differences were noted (p greater than 0.05) between the medications except for a slightly higher systolic BP for cocaine than for lidocaine with epinephrine at 15 minutes. The results of this double-blind, randomized trial demonstrate that the alpha-adrenergic agonist oxymetazoline is as effective as cocaine, and more effective than lidocaine with epinephrine, for the prevention of epistaxis associated with nasotracheal intubation.
Friendship and Deviance: New Evidence on an Old Controversy

This study examined the relationship between peer attachment and peer deviance. Study participants were fifth-grade students from an urban school district. Approximately half of the sample was male...
Operations research in a conversational environment

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the types of operations research techniques and the kinds of operations research/management science problems that are possible in the conversational or interactive programming environment. It is widely agreed that very meaningful technological advances can be made by merging the things that a computer does best with the things that a human being does best. This is often discussed in terms of a man-machine symbiosis, cybernetics or "interfaces." The shortcomings in all discussions of this sort are twofold: first, a characterization of problem attributes which necessitates the power of an interactive environment is missing; and, second, very few practical or even implementable applications are ever discussed.
Planktonic copepods of Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod Bay, 1992

Zooplankton were collected by vertical tows with 102 µm mesh at ten stations in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod Bay in February, March, April, June, August, and October, 1992. This study was part of a larger monitoring program to assess the effects of a major sewage abatement project, and sampling periods were designed around periods of major phytoplankton events such as the winter-spring diatom bloom, the stratified summer flagellate period, and the autumn transition from stratified to mixed waters. There was considerable seasonal variation in total zooplankton abundance, with minimal values in April (1929–11631 animals m−3) during a massive bloom of Phaeocystis pouchetii, and maximum values (67 316–261075 animals m−3) in August. There were no consistent trends of total abundance where any particular station had greater or lesser abundance than others over the entire year. Zooplankton abundance was dominated by copepods (adults + copepodites) and copepod nauplii (30.4–100.0% of total zooplankton, mean= 83.2%). Despite the large seasonal variation in zooplankton and copepod abundance, the copepod assemblage was dominated throughout the entire year by the small copepod Oithona similis, followed by Paracalanus parvus. Other less-abundant copepods present year-round were Pseudocalanus newmani, Temora longicornis, Centropages hamatus, C. typicus, and Calanus finmarchicus. Two species of Acartia were present, primarily in low-salinity waters of Boston Harbor: A. hudsonica during cold periods, and A. tonsa in warm ones. Eurytemora herdmani was also a subdominant in Boston Harbor in October. The potential role of zooplankton grazing in phytoplankton dynamics and bloom cycles in these waters must be considered in view of the overwhelming numerical dominance of the zooplankton by Oithona similis which may feed primarily as a carnivore. Furthermore, it seems unlikely that eutrophication-induced alteration of phytoplankton assemblages could cause significant ‘trophic domino effects’, reducing abundances of Calanus finmarchicus that are forage of endangered right whales seasonally utilizing Cape Cod Bay because C. finmarchicus has long been known to be a relatively unselective grazer, and most importantly, it is a trivial component of total zooplankton or total copepod abundance in these waters.
Look into My Eyes: A Survey of Biometric Security

Biometric security is a rapidly growing field concerning the use of unique identifiers in the human body for access control and access management. This survey paper will outline the history of biometric security, detail some of the common techniques used for identification, and discuss the reliability and fail rates of these systems. During the course of our research we found that biometric security systems are poised to become the standard method of identification and authorization.
Influence of pH on the Packing Density of (4-Pyridyl)-hydroquinone Molecules Adsorbed at a Platinum(111) Thin-Layer Electrode

Abstract A study of the influence of adsorbate solution pH on the packing density and electrochemical reactivity of (4-pyridyl)-hydroquinone (4PHQ) molecules adsorbed at a Pt(111) thin-layer electrode (TLE) is reported. This compound affords the opportunity to study a reversibly electroactive adsorbate molecule which can undergo protonation at one of its most favorable points of attachment to the electrode surface. The packing density of 4PHQ increases abruptly when the pH is increased above 2 and exhibits a plateau above pH 5. A fraction of the adsorbed 4PHQ is reversibly electroactive, consistent with the expected two-electron, two-proton quinone/hydroquinone half-reaction. The fraction of electroactivity increases sharply above pH 2, and approaches 100% above pH 5. UV–visible spectra of 4PHQ versus pH indicate that the protonation–deprotonation equilibrium of the pyridine moiety is centered at about pH 6, while the adsorbate orientation transition is centered near pH 3, probably due to the strong driving force of bonding between Pt and the unprotonated pyridyl nitrogen atom. The packing density of 4PHQ is relatively insensitive to adsorbate concentration in the range examined here (10−5to 10−3M). These results indicate that 4PHQ adsorbs primarily in an N-bonded vertical orientation (N-η1) at pH greater than 5, while a ring-bonded “horizontal” orientation (η14) predominates at pH 0–2, with a transitional region at pH 2 to 5. The vertically oriented state is reversibly electroactive, while the horizontally oriented state is electroactive only toward irreversible oxidation at extremely positive potentials. Voltammetric characterization of the Pt(111) TLE surface indicates that the surface consists primarily of well-ordered Pt(111) along with a small fraction of surface area which has been abraded during contact with the Pyrex glass enclosure surrounding the thin-layer of solution.
Optically-modulated active-gate control (OMAG) for switching electrical power-conversion systems

Critically important to the future electric ship power systems are performance and reliability parameters such as electromagnetic-noise generated by the power converter, power-conversion efficiency, and stress on the power semiconductor devices (PSDs). Modulation of these parameters using optically-modulated and galvanically isolated gate control is outlined and experimentally demonstrated. An optimal optical-intensity is also experimentally determined for balanced trade-off between switching loss reduction and PSD stress mitigation. Applicability of the concept over a wide spectrum of PSDs (including SiC MOSFET) is also demonstrated.
Cylindrical microcavity light emitters realized with double-oxide-confinement or single-defect photonic bandgap crystals

The confinement of light in one, two, and three dimensions on a wavelength-scale can lead to light emitting devices with enhanced efficiency, narrow spectral linewidth, improved directionality, and even enhanced spontaneous recombination rate (Yokoyama, 1992). In this paper, we describe the design, fabrication and characteristics of electroluminescent cylindrical microcavity surface emitters realized either by double oxide confinement or as a photonic bandgap (PBG) microcavity. In the latter, a single "point defect" in a 2D photonic crystal traps light and serves as a true microcavity. Comparison of different lateral confinement structures is made. Double oxide-confined devices are made with InP-based heterostructures (/spl lambda/=1.55 /spl mu/m) and consist of either InGaAs (bulk) or InGaAsP-InP pseudomorphic MQW recombination regions buried in InGaAsP or InP spacers of thickness /spl lambda//n. 120 nm thick In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As layers are incorporated on both top and bottom of the cavity and appropriate p-type (top) and n-type (bottom) contact layers are included on both sides. The lateral microcavity size, defined by oxide confinement, ranges from 1 /spl mu/m to 30 /spl mu/m. PBG-based devices are made with GaAs-based heterostructures, which consist of an InGaAs MQW /spl lambda/-cavity (/spl lambda/=0.94 /spl mu/m). The 2D PBG formation is achieved by e-beam lithography and deep dry etching techniques. Single or multiple defects in the center define the /spl lambda/-sized microcavity. The PBG was designed to be centered around the cavity peak emission wavelength at 0.94 /spl mu/m.
Effects of Fling Step and Forward Directivity on Seismic Response of Buildings

This paper investigates the consequences of well-known characteristics of near-fault ground motions on the seismic response of steel moment frames. Additionally, idealized pulses are utilized in a separate study to gain further insight into the effects of high-amplitude pulses on structural demands. Simple input pulses were also synthesized to simulate artificial fling-step effects in ground motions originally having forward directivity. Findings from the study reveal that median maximum demands and the dispersion in the peak values were higher for near-fault records than far-fault motions. The arrival of the velocity pulse in a near-fault record causes the structure to dissipate considerable input energy in relatively few plastic cycles, whereas cumulative effects from increased cyclic demands are more pronounced in far-fault records. For pulse-type input, the maximum demand is a function of the ratio of the pulse period to the fundamental period of the structure. Records with fling effects were found to excite systems primarily in their fundamental mode while waveforms with forward directivity in the absence of fling caused higher modes to be activated. It is concluded that the acceleration and velocity spectra, when examined collectively, can be utilized to reasonably assess the damage potential of near-fault records. DOI: 10.1193/1.2192560
Aliskiren for Renin Inhibition: A New Class of Antihypertensives

Objective:To review the safety, efficacy, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and drug interactions of aliskiren for the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension.Data Sources:A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1966'January 2007), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970'January 2007), and Cochrane database (2006) for the key words aliskiren or SPP100. References of selected articles were also reviewed. Abstract data were included only in the absence of significant published data.Study Selection And Data Extraction:Available English-language data from reviews, abstracts, and clinical trials were selected. For review of efficacy, randomized controlled trials were preferred.Data Synthesis:Aliskiren is a renin inhibitor, the first in a new class of antihypertensives. As renin catalyzes the rate-limiting step of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), renin inhibition may offer a theoretical advantage over other RAS inhibitors, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin ...
A three-stage cascaded distributed amplifier with GBW exceeding 1.5THz

A three-stage cascaded distributed amplifier is designed in a 0.13µm SiGe BiCMOS process. By optimizing the amplifier both at the architecture and element level, an extremely large measured gain-bandwidth product in excess of 1.5THz is obtained. The core amplifier consumes 75mA from a 3.3V supply and provides an average gain of 24dB from 15GHz to at least 110GHz (limited by equipment BW). A distributed RF-choke design is employed to provide the bias current to the three cascaded stages. The pass-band gain stays between 23 and 26.5dB.
Organizational Design and Restructuring in Response to Crises: Lessons from Computational Modeling and Real-World Cases

Organizations are occasionally faced with technology-based and accident-triggered crises that may cause costly disasters if not handled properly. Questions arise: How should organizations, with their complex processes and human involvement, be designed if they are to perform well in such crises? Would organizations benefit from structural changes during crises? From a neo-information processing perspective that views organizations as composed of cognitively restricted, socially situated, and task-oriented actors, we argue that the causes and consequences of crises may be better understood through the systematic examination of both environmental and organizational factors. We address our research questions using a rather unique approach: a matched analysis of 80 real organizational cases and 80 computer-simulated organizations. The findings show that a crisis can present critical challenges to organizational performance both externally and internally, and that there is no design guarantee that a high-performing organization will continue to perform well during a crisis situation. In addition, when organizations restructure to adapt to crisis situations, they often face the serious challenges of having to understand not only the external environment, but also organizational design traps.
Does over-provisioning become more or less efficient as networks grow larger?

IP networks have seen tremendous growth in not only their size and speed, but also in the volume of traffic they carry. Over-provisioning is commonly used to protect network performance against traffic variations, be they caused by failures or transient surges. This paper investigates the influence that increasing network size has on the efficacy of over-provisioning in absorbing a certain range of traffic variations and preserving performance guarantees. For that purpose, we develop a general model that accounts for network topology, base offered traffic, and traffic variations, and allows us to explore how their combination behaves as the network and the traffic it carries grow. The model's generality enables us to investigate several representative scenarios and to identify critical thresholds in the relation between network and traffic growth, which delineate regions where a given amount of over-provisioning provides increasingly better protection against traffic variations. The results offer insight into how to grow IP networks in order to enhance their robustness
Life Cycle–based Assessment of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Almond Production, Part II: Uncertainty Analysis through Sensitivity Analysis and Scenario Testing

Summary This is the second part of a two-article series examining California almond production. The part I article describes development of the analytical framework and life cycle–based model and presents typical energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for California almonds. This part II article builds on this by exploring uncertainty in the life cycle model through sensitivity and scenario analysis, and by examining temporary carbon storage in the orchard. Sensitivity analysis shows life cycle GHG emissions are most affected by biomass fate and utilization, followed by nitrous oxide emissions rates from orchard soils. Model sensitivity for net energy consumption is highest for irrigation system parameters, followed by biomass fate and utilization. Scenario analysis shows utilization of orchard biomass for electricity production has the greatest potential effect, assuming displacement methods are used for co-product allocation. Results of the scenario analysis show that 1 kilogram (kg) of almond kernel and associated co-products are estimated to cause between −3.12 to 2.67 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) emissions and consume between 27.6 to 52.5 megajoules (MJ) of energy. Co-product displacement credits lead to avoided emissions of between −1.33 to 2.45 kg CO2-eq and between −0.08 to 13.7 MJ of avoided energy use, leading to net results of −1.39 to 3.99 kg CO2-eq and 15.3 to 52.6 MJ per kg kernel (net results are calculated by subtracting co-product credits from the results for almonds and co-products). Temporary carbon storage in orchard biomass and soils is accounted for by using alternative global warming characterization factors and leads to a 14% to 18% reduction in CO2-eq emissions. Future studies of orchards and other perennial cropping systems should likely consider temporary carbon storage.