cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frontotemporal Dementias: A New Clinical Syndrome?

The frontal lobe dementias (FLDs) are a group of disorders that have received considerable attention recently. Diagnosis is based on the presence of behavioral and cognitive disturbances associated pathologically with focal neuronal loss and gliosis without any inclusion bodies. Reports describing FLD differ regarding its clinical features, cognitive disturbances, and neurophysiological and neuropathological characteristics. The authors review the existing literature on FLD and emphasize the similarities and differences between reports. The heterogeneity of this condition as currently described is addressed, and arguments supporting the concept of FLD as a syndrome more appropriately called frontotemporal dementia are discussed. The authors present the development of a more rigid clinical definition of this syndrome using well-defined criteria as the first step toward understanding better this group of disorders.
Differential scanning calorimetry studies of phosphonolipid analogs of lung surfactant glycerophospholipids

Abstract A series of synthetic analogs of naturally occurring glycerophospholipids has been studied for gel-to-liquid transition temperature (Tc) by using differential scanning calorimetry. The compounds investigated were dihexadecyl phosphatidylcholine (DHPC) plus 11 newly synthesized phosphonolipids. Six were racemates and have ether-ether fatty chains and 5 were chiral (R) with ether-amide fatty chains bonded to the glycerol moiety; each series also contained a methylene isosteric substitution for one of the oxygen atoms in naturally occurring glycerophospholipid phosphate esters. All analogs have fatty chains of equivalent length in saturated carbon atoms C2C16, but varied in N-headgroup structures. The thermal behaviors of these novel molecules were found to depend upon the degree of alkylation of the headgroups and upon whether the hydrocarbon chains are bonded as ethers or amides. The ether-ether (diether) phosphonolipid (DEPN) analogs of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE) had increased gel-to-liquid crystal transition temperatures (Tc) compared to their naturally occurring (fatty acyl ester) glycerophospholipid counterparts. In general, DEPN analogs had Tc values 3.7−5.8°C higher than ether-amide phosophonolipid (EAPN) compounds of equivalent headgroup, although EAPN-13 was an exception with the highest Tc of any compound studied. In both the DEPN and EAPN series, analogs with hydrogen atom(s) covalently bonded to the headgroup nitrogen atom showed higher Tc values, possibly related to their increased potential for hydrogen bonding. Interfacial property studies (adsorption, Wilhelmy balance, oscillating bubble) showed that several analogs with higher transitions than DPPC, the principal lung surfactant glycerophospholipid, had improved adsorption and respreading, with equivalent surface tension lowering in compressed spread films on the balance and with minimum surface tensions
Stiffener-skin interactions in pressure-loaded composite panels

The effects of flange thickness, web height, and skin stiffness on the strain distributions in the skin-stiffener interface region of pressure-loaded graphite-epoxy panels, stiffened by the type-T stiffener, were examined at pressure levels up to one atmosphere. The results indicate that at these pressures geometric nonlinearities are important, and that the overall stiffener stiffness has a significant effect on panel response, particularly on the out-of-plane deformation or pillowing of the skin. The strain gradients indicated that the interface between the skin and the stiffener experiences two components of shear stress, in addition to a normal (peel) stress. Thus, the skin-stiffener interface problem is a three-dimensional problem rather than a two-dimensional one, as is often assumed.
Autoradiography of dopamine receptors and dopamine uptake sites in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Abstract We examined the status of dopamine (DA) D 1 and D 2 receptors by using [ 3 H]SCH 23390 and [ 3 H]spiperone binding, respectively, and DA uptake sites by using [ 3 H]mazindol binding in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. SHR showed significantly higher [ 3 H]SCH 23390 and [ 3 H]spiperone binding in the caudate-putamen (CPu), the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the olfactory tubercle (OT) in comparison to the SD rats. There were no significant differences in [ 3 H]mazindol-labeled DA uptake sites between the two strains. Unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) injection into the striatum resulted in more than 90% depletion of DA uptake sites in the CPu in both strains. 6-OHDA-induced DA depletion was associated with significant increases in striatal [ 3 H]spiperone binding which were of similar magnitude in the SD rats (+64.1%) and SHR (+51.3%). There were only small decreases (−5.4%) in D 1 receptor binding in the dorsolateral aspect of the CPu in the SHR, whereas there were no changes in striatal D 1 receptors in the SD rats. These results indicate that, although the SHR have higher concentrations of both D 1 and D 2 receptors in the basal ganglia, these receptors are regulated in a fashion similar to DA receptors in SD rats after 6-OHDA-induced striatal DA depletion.
Relationship between Acceptable Noise Level and the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit

Purpose This study investigated the relationship between acceptable noise levels (ANLs) and the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB; R. M. Cox & G. C. Alexander, 1995). This study fur...
The Effect of Root Decalcification on the Formation of “Functionally” Oriented Collagen Fibers

It has been shown that "functionally" oriented collagen fibers will attach to cementum when a healthy root fragment is implanted subcutaneously in the rat along with decalcified autogenous bone. The purpose of the present study was to show how prior root decalcification affected this inductive action. Twenty-six pairs of bone and root were implanted in 13 200-gm, female, white, Sherman strain rats. The postoperative periods ranged from 1 week to 12 months. The results showed that root decalcification prevented formation of the "functionally" oriented fibers and inhibited bone induction by the decalcified autogenous bone. It was suggested that all roots have an inhibitor, the least amount in periodontally healthy roots and the most in periodontally diseased roots. It was suggested that the clinical successes in reattachment reported with acid treatment of roots were due to the denaturant effects rather than surface decalcification.
Reaction of chromium(VI) with glutathione or with hydrogen peroxide: identification of reactive intermediates and their role in chromium(VI)-induced DNA damage.

The types of reactive intermediates generated upon reduction of chromium(VI) by glutathione or hydrogen peroxide and the resulting DNA damage have been determined. In vitro, reaction of chromium(VI...
Reward Value-Contingent Changes of Visual Responses in the Primate Caudate Tail Associated with a Visuomotor Skill

A goal-directed action aiming at an incentive outcome, if repeated, becomes a skill that may be initiated automatically. We now report that the tail of the caudate nucleus (CDt) may serve to control a visuomotor skill. Monkeys looked at many fractal objects, half of which were always associated with a large reward (high-valued objects) and the other half with a small reward (low-valued objects). After several daily sessions, they developed a gaze bias, looking at high-valued objects even when no reward was associated. CDt neurons developed a response bias, typically showing stronger responses to high-valued objects. In contrast, their responses showed no change when object values were reversed frequently, although monkeys showed a strong gaze bias, looking at high-valued objects in a goal-directed manner. The biased activity of CDt neurons may be transmitted to the oculomotor region so that animals can choose high-valued objects automatically based on stable reward experiences.
Effects of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) on the solution properties of hydrophobically modified acrylamide copolymer

The hydrophobic interaction between hydrophobically modified acrylamide copolymer (HMPAM) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) in aqueous solutions was investigated. The results show that the solution properties of HMPAM are significantly influenced by the addition of PNIPAM. In dilute regime, the intrinsic viscosity of HMPAM in 0.025 wt % PNIPAM/0.1 M NaCl mixed solution is 17.52 dL g−1, about 2 times 8.66 dL g−1, that in 0.1 M NaCl solution, which is due to the attractive interaction between the hydrophobic parts of PNIPAM and HMPAM molecules. In semidilute regime, below the saturation concentration, the addition of PNIPAM can lead to both the apparent viscosity and the modulus of HMPAM solutions increasing, which is attributed to the number of aggregation junctions increasing, responsible for the increase of the contribution of the reversible network to the viscosity increase, the β value. In addition, a thermothickening behavior for the HMPAM/PNIPAM mixed solution is observed with increasing temperature over 15–30 °C, which is consistent with the large increase of the Huggins coefficient of HMPAM in the presence of PNIPAM from 1.95 to 7.59 as temperature increases from 25 to 30 °C. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 709–715, 2005
Restructuring through spin-off or sell-off: transforming information asymmetries into financial gain

The authors examine how managers select between corporate restructuring implementation alternatives and how those decisions influence the profitability of the restructuring event. They argue that managers and owners have information asymmetries with respect to the assets in the restructuring and the restructured firms' diversification strategy, and that managers select between two popular implementation alternatives, spin-offs and sell-offs, to convert knowledge differences into financial gain. When the restructured assets reside in primary and related business lines or the firm has low and related diversification among its business lines, the restructuring is difficult for observers to assess and understand. Spin-offs most effectively and profitably reduce information asymmetries by transferring assets to the capital market and increasing the efficiency and transparency of the restructuring firm. Conversely, when the restructured assets reside in secondary and unrelated business lines or the firm has high diversification, sell-offs best mitigate asymmetries by using market forces to reallocate assets to their most productive uses while improving the strategy and performance of the restructuring firm. Tests of a sample of 204 restructuring events support the hypotheses. Overall, the findings suggest that the influence of corporate restructuring on financial performance is determined in part through how the restructuring is implemented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CRYSTAL STRUCTURES OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS SORTASE A AND ITS SUBSTRATE COMPLEX

The cell wall envelope of staphylococci and other Gram-positive pathogens is coated with surface proteins that interact with human host tissues. Surface proteins of Staphylococcus aureus are covalently linked to the cell wall envelope by a mechanism requiring C-terminal sorting signals with an LPXTG motif. Sortase (SrtA) cleaves surface proteins between the threonine (T) and the glycine (G) of the LPXTG motif and catalyzes the formation of an amide bond between threonine at the C-terminal end of polypeptides and cell wall cross-bridges. The active site architecture and catalytic mechanism of sortase A has hitherto not been revealed. Here we present the crystal structures of native SrtA, of an active site mutant of SrtA, and of the mutant SrtA complexed with its substrate LPETG peptide and describe the substrate binding pocket of the enzyme. Highly conserved proline (P) and threonine (T) residues of the LPXTG motif are held in position by hydrophobic contacts, whereas the glutamic acid residue (E) at the X position points out into the solvent. The scissile T-G peptide bond is positioned between the active site Cys(184) and Arg(197) residues and at a greater distance from the imidazolium side chain of His(120). All three residues, His(120), Cys(184), and Arg(197), are conserved in sortase enzymes from Gram-positive bacteria. Comparison of the active sites of S. aureus sortase A and sortase B provides insight into substrate specificity and suggests a universal sortase-catalyzed mechanism of bacterial surface protein anchoring in Gram-positive bacteria.
Material properties for predicting wax pattern dimensions in investment casting

Abstract An important factor in determining tooling allowances in investment casting is the dimensional change of the wax pattern. Dimensional changes between a pattern die and its wax pattern occur as a result of complex phenomena such as thermal expansion–contraction and hot deformation (elastic, plastic, and creep). Thus, the wax pattern dimensions are determined by the wax’s thermophysical and thermomechanical properties, restraint of geometrical features by the metal die, and process parameters such as die temperature, platen temperature, injection pressure, injection temperature, and dwell time. In this paper, constitutive equations of material behavior that determine dimensional changes associated with the wax system are provided. Material property measurements were conducted in this study for Cerita™ 29-51 wax with the aim of obtaining a complete set of data that can be used as input in computer simulation software for predicting wax pattern dimensions.
Post-Breeding Season Migrations of a Top Predator, the Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii), from a Marine Protected Area in Alaska

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly being used as a conservation tool for highly mobile marine vertebrates and the focus is typically on protecting breeding areas where individuals are aggregated seasonally. Yet movements during the non-breeding season can overlap with threats that may be equally as important to population dynamics. Thus understanding habitat use and movements of species during the non-breeding periods is critical for conservation. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, is one of the largest marine mammal protected areas in the world and has the only enforceable protection measures for reducing disturbance to harbor seals in the United States. Yet harbor seals have declined by up to 11.5%/year from 1992 to 2009. We used satellite-linked transmitters that were attached to 37 female harbor seals to quantify the post-breeding season migrations of seals and the amount of time that seals spent inside vs. outside of the MPA of Glacier Bay. Harbor seals traveled extensively beyond the boundaries of the MPA of Glacier Bay during the post-breeding season, encompassing an area (25,325 km(2)) significantly larger than that used by seals during the breeding season (8,125 km(2)). These movements included the longest migration yet recorded for a harbor seal (3,411 km) and extended use (up to 23 days) of pelagic areas by some seals. Although the collective utilization distribution of harbor seals during the post-breeding season was quite expansive, there was a substantial degree of individual variability in the percentage of days that seals spent in the MPA. Nevertheless, harbor seals demonstrated a high degree of inter-annual site fidelity (93%) to Glacier Bay the following breeding season. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the threats that seals may interact with outside of the boundaries of the MPA of Glacier Bay for understanding population dynamics of seals in Glacier Bay.
The energy-momentum tensor on a Riemann surface

Abstract The techniques of conformal field theory developed for a Riemann sphere by Belavin, Polyakov, and Zamolodchikov are generalized to any Riemann surface. We especially consider the energy-momentum tensor in the bosonic string theory of Polyakov. The correlation functions of the energy-momentum tensor with local fields are studied in detail. As an application we compute the scattering amplitudes of null physical states explicitly to show that they vanish.
Pretending Not to See or Hear, Refusing to Signify: The Farce and Tragedy of Geocentric Public Affairs Scholarship

This article opens with an inventory of how popular culture passion plays are homologous to the stampeding disenfranchisement everywhere of working classes and the emasculation of professional codes of ethics under siege by neoliberal initiatives and gambits.The article then examines a recent example of contemporary,“deconstructive” scholarly analysis and inventory of presidential “Orwellian doublespeak.” The preoccupation among contemporary critical scholarship with “discourse analysis” and language gambits is criticized for displacing interrogation of real-event anomalies, as with the porous account given by the 9/11 Commission for what happened that fateful day. The article concludes by explaining how critical scholarship consistently falls short of unmasking Master Signifiers.
Study of New Dampers for Application to Overhead Transmission Lines Groundwires

Aeolian vibration of overhead groundwires is intense in transmission lines located in flat and windy areas; which easily leads to line failure caused by material fatigue. To suppress the aeolian vibration of lines located in Hexi corridor, new dampers for groundwires were developed and configured, based upon analysis of the characteristics of aeolian vibration. Simulation tests were conducted according to the energy balance principle (EBP), and field vibration tests were also performed. The test results show that the dampers meet the requirements of the prescribed standard and the efficiency is verified. The dampers have been applied to 750kV transmission lines, and they offer easy installation, slip resistance and a satisfactory vibration suppression effect.
CSF biomarkers cutoffs: the importance of coincident neuropathological diseases.

The effects of applying clinical versus neuropathological diagnosis and the inclusion of cases with coincident neuropathological diagnoses have not been assessed specifically when studying cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker classification cutoffs for patients with neurodegenerative diseases that cause dementia. Thus, 142 neuropathologically diagnosed neurodegenerative dementia patients [71 Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 29 frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), 3 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 7 dementia with Lewy bodies, 32 of which cases also had coincident diagnoses] were studied. 96 % had enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) CSF data and 77 % had Luminex CSF data, with 43 and 46 controls for comparison, respectively. Aβ42, total, and phosphorylated tau181 were measured. Clinical and neuropathological diagnoses showed an 81.4 % overall agreement. Both assays showed high sensitivity and specificity to classify AD subjects against FTLD subjects and controls, and moderate sensitivity and specificity for classifying FTLD subjects against controls. However, among the cases with neuropathological diagnoses of AD plus another pathology (26.8 % of the sample), 69.4 % (ELISA) and 96.4 % (Luminex) were classified as AD according to their biomarker profiles. Use of clinical diagnosis instead of neuropathological diagnosis led to a 14–17 % underestimation of the biomarker accuracy. These results show that while CSF Aβ and tau assays are useful for diagnosis of AD and neurodegenerative diseases even at MCI stages, CSF diagnostic analyte panels that establish a positive diagnosis of Lewy body disease and FTLD are also needed, and must be established based on neuropathological rather than clinical diagnoses.
Centrifugal Microfluidics with Integrated Sensing Microdome Optodes for Multiion Detection

An array of four sensing microdome optodes (potassium, sodium, calcium, and chloride) was incorporated into a centrifugal microfluidics platform to obtain a multiion analysis system. The behavior of each sensing microdome was in good agreement with a theoretical model describing the response. The selectivity of each optode over common interfering ions was established and was used to identify calibrant solutions that can be employed for the simultaneous calibration of all four optodes without significant cross-interference. The microfluidic platform was designed to facilitate both three-point calibration of the optodes and triplicate analysis of a sample within a single run, which increases the accuracy of the determination. The optimized microfluidic system was used to determine simultaneously the concentration of potassium, sodium, calcium, and chloride in aquarium water (with the composition of Lake Tanganyika water) with less than 6% error. The simple process of fabrication of these microdomes and their incorporation into a centrifugal microfluidic platform should facilitate the development of portable ion-sensing analysis systems.
Abraham Joshua Heschel: Witness to God in Word and Deed

“There are no proofs for the existence of the God of Abraham,” said Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972). “There are only witnesses.” For countless Jews and Christians, Heschel was, in both his words and his deeds, one of the preeminent witnesses to God in the twentieth century. To commemorate the centennial year of his birth, this article presents of a brief overview of Heschel’s inspiring life and works in the service of God.
Developing micro-fuel cells for wireless communications

Abstract Energy needs for portable electronics are rising beyond what batteries can manage, so there is great interest in investigating what fuel cells can bring to this potentially enormous market. This article reports on how Motorola Labs has been developing direct methanol fuel cells in the 100 mWe to 1 We range, for use in portable wireless communications in particular.
Codon usage bias and tRNA abundance in Drosophila.

Codon usage bias of 1,117 Drosophila melanogaster genes, as well as fewer D. pseudoobscura and D. virilis genes, was examined from the perspective of relative abundance of isoaccepting tRNAs and their changes during development. We found that each amino acid contributes about equally and highly significantly to overall codon usage bias, with the exception of Asp which had very low contribution to overall bias. Asp was also the only amino acid that did not show a clear preference for one of its synonymous codons. Synonymous codon usage in Drosophila was consistent with ``optimal'' codons deduced from the isoaccepting tRNA availability. Interestingly, amino acids whose major isoaccepting tRNAs change during development did not show as strong bias as those with developmentally unchanged tRNA pools. Asp is the only amino acid for which the major isoaccepting tRNAs change between larval and adult stages. We conclude that synonymous codon usage in Drosophila is well explained by tRNA availability and is probably influenced by developmental changes in relative abundance.
The Impedance of the Guyed Quarter Wave Monopole

Measurements to determine the effect of metallic guy wires on the input impedance of a quarter wave monopole over a ground screen are described. Impedance data from several existing AM broadcast towers has shown great variation from the theoretical value for a monopole over an ideal ground. Experimental results show that in the commonly used configuration, the guy wires have a significant effect that is not easily predicted by present techniques. In addition, it is shown that taking the "base capacitance" into account greatly improves theoretical results obtained with moment methods.
Bi-directional modulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced plasma extravasation in the rat knee joint by nociceptin

Abstract The role of nociceptin, the endogenous ligand for the opioid receptor-like (ORL1) receptor, in nociceptive processing is controversial. Most studies demonstrate hyperalgesia following supraspinal administration, analgesia following intrathecal and peripheral administration at higher doses, and hyperalgesia following intrathecal and peripheral application at lower doses. The present study investigates the effect of nociceptin on synovial plasma extravasation and its ability to modulate 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced synovial plasma extravasation using the rat knee joint model of inflammation. Nociceptin alone does not alter synovial plasma extravasation from baseline. Nociceptin at concentrations up to 1 nM enhances 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced synovial plasma extravasation (up to 50%) and nociceptin at concentrations above 100 nM inhibits 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced synovial plasma extravasation (down to 45%). The novel, selective ORL1 receptor antagonist J-113397 potently inhibits the pro-inflammatory effect of nociceptin, but only partly inhibits, at higher concentrations, the anti-inflammatory effects of nociceptin. These findings demonstrate a dose-dependent bi-directional effect of nociceptin on inflammatory processes and may indicate a target for novel therapeutics.
Conceptualizing clinical nurse leader practice: an interpretive synthesis.

BACKGROUND: The Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing report identifies the clinical nurse leader as an innovative new role for meeting higher health-care quality standards. However, specific clinical nurse leader practices influencing documented quality outcomes remain unclear. Lack of practice clarity limits the ability to articulate, implement and measure clinical nurse leader-specific practice and quality outcomes. PURPOSE AND METHODS: Interpretive synthesis design and grounded theory analysis were used to develop a theoretical understanding of clinical nurse leader practice that can facilitate systematic and replicable implementation across health-care settings. RESULTS: The core phenomenon of clinical nurse leader practice is continuous clinical leadership, which involves four fundamental activities: facilitating effective ongoing communication; strengthening intra and interprofessional relationships; building and sustaining teams; and supporting staff engagement. CONCLUSION: Clinical nurse leaders continuously communicate and develop relationships within and across professions to promote and sustain information exchange, engagement, teamwork and effective care processes at the microsystem level. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Clinical nurse leader-integrated care delivery systems highlight the benefits of nurse-led models of care for transforming health-care quality. Managers can use this study's findings to frame an implementation strategy that addresses theoretical domains of clinical nurse leader practice to help ensure practice success.
Synthesis of polyamines with pendant cyanoimidazole units and their electrochemical properties

The 2-(1-methyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazolyl) group was attached to poly(diallylamine) and polyethylenimine, affording polymers containing an electron-withdrawing pendant group. The key to their preparation is high reactivity of 1-methyl-2-fluoro-4,5-dicyanoimidazole (1) toward nucleophilic aromatic substitution (NAS) reactions with aliphatic amines. Cyclic voltammograms of these polymers show reduction waves at −2.6 to −2.7 V vs. Ag/Ag+ but no reoxidation waves, unlike those of monomeric and oligomeric model compounds, which are quasi-reversible. The cyclic voltammetry studies of oligomeric model compounds with different alkyl spacers show that the degree of quasi-reversibility decreases as dicyanoimidazoles are crowded together in a molecule, suggesting that a certain degree of chemical reaction occurs between reduced dicyanoimidazole groups. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2619–2629, 1998
From a necessary being to god

Not a lot of work on theistic arguments has been devoted to drawing connections between a necessary being and theistic properties. In this paper, I identify novel paths from a necessary being to certain theistic properties: volition, infinite power, infinite knowledge, and infinite goodness. The steps in those paths are an outline for future work on what William Rowe (The Cosmological Argument, 1975, p. 6) has called “stage II” of the cosmological argument.
Bacteriologic Exmanination of Guinea Pig Mammary Gland: Preliminary Report

Abstract Tissues from 398 mammary glands of 199 apparently healthy guinea pigs were examined bacteriologically. Mammary tissues were collected from primiparous and multiparous guinea pigs at different stages of lactation. Bacteria (α-hemolytic Streptococcus, β-hemolytic Streptococcus, and Micrococcus spp.) were isolated from 6.8% of the mammary tissue cultured (5.9% from the primiparous, and 13.0% from the multiparous guinea pigs). During the first week of lactation, the percentage of infected mammary tissues was 5.6%, while during the second week it was 2.9%.
Statistical analysis of U.S. power plant capacity factors through 1979

Abstract Power plant capacity factors have been statistically analyzed in order to identify trends or other sources of variation in these data. We present a discussion of some of the issues involved in a statistical analysis along with the results. The main findings are that capacity factors tend to increase in the first few years of operation and that small PWRs (between 400 and 600 MW) have had larger capacity factors than did BWRs or large PWRs.
Asia's economic crisis and the IMF

In summer 1997, the high-performing East and South-east Asian economies faced a financial crisis of unprecedented proportions. In a matter of weeks, once-vibrant economies and their strong currencies witnessed a meltdown, forcing them to turn to that lender of last resort, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), for assistance. A careful examination of the long-term as well as the immediate causes of the crisis refutes the widely held view that no one predicted the crisis. The crisis could have been avoided if the over-exuberant Asian governments had heeded the IMF's early warning. The IMF's policy prescriptions are not only working, but those states in the region that follow them will do best.
Effect of interacting particles on primordial nucleosynthesis

We modify the standard model for big-bang nucleosynthesis to allow for the presence of a generic particle species, i.e., one which maintains good thermal contact with either the photons or the light neutrino species throughout the epoch of primordial nucleosynthesis. The production of D, /sup 3/He, /sup 4/He, and /sup 7/Li is calculated as a function of the mass, degrees of freedom, and spin statistics of the generic particle. We show that in general, the effect of an additional generic species cannot simply be parameterized as the equivalent number of additional light neutrino species. The presence of generic particles also affects the predicted value for the neutrino-to-photon temperature ratio.
Validation of a classification system of obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorder symptoms in a non-clinical sample

Controversy surrounds the classification of obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder (OCSD) symptoms. In this study, we tested whether a broad OCSD symptoms model consisting of obsessive-compulsive, body dysmorphic, health anxiety, trichotillomania, pathological skin picking, impulsivity, and anxiety symptoms displayed sufficient data fit. Alternatively, we tested whether a reduced OCSD symptoms model consisting of obsessive-compulsive, body dysmorphic, health anxiety, trichotillomania, and pathological skin picking symptoms demonstrated superior fit. The reduced OCSD symptoms model demonstrated good data fit. However, the broader OCSD symptoms model only displayed marginal data fit. In context with other findings, results of this study support an OCSD symptoms dimension that includes obsessive-compulsive, body dysmorphic, health anxiety, trichotillomania, and pathological skin picking symptoms. Implications of these findings are discussed as they relate to proposed changes in the forthcoming edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
Selective Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline EuF3 with Orthorhombic and Hexagonal Structures

A simple solution-based procedure employing NaBF4 as the fluoride source has been developed to selectively prepare nanospindles of EuF3 with an orthorhombic structure and nanodisks of EuF3 with a hexagonal structure by controlling the molar ratios of the starting materials. These as-prepared nanocrystals of EuF3 were characterized by XRD, SEM, and TEM. The nanodisks of EuF3 self-assemble into single-crystal column-like nanostructures. The photoluminescence properties of these nanoscale EuF3 species have been investigated.
Superoxide generation during cardiopulmonary bypass: is there a role for vitamin E?

The cytotoxic metabolites of oxygen [superoxide (O-2), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hydroxyl (OH.)] have been demonstrated to be involved in the peroxidation of membrane lipids consequently altering membrane composition, morphology, and function. Of all the lines of defense adopted by living organisms against toxic oxygen free radicals, vitamin E is most effective in the prevention of membrane damage. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been shown to activate complement and cause sequestration of leukocytes which can recruit, adhere, and stimulate release of cytotoxic oxygen radicals. A prospective study of 30 patients evaluated the effects of CPB with and without an exogenous free radical scavenger (Group I, N = 20, control) and (Group II, N = 10, vitamin E) on H2O2 (a marker of oxygen free radicals) malonaldehyde (a marker of lipid peroxidation), transpulmonary leukosequestration, and plasma levels of vitamins E and C. Group I showed a progressive increase in H2O2 during CPB from 65 +/- 6 to 130 +/- 11 micron/ml (P less than 0.0001); plasma vitamin E decreased from 15 +/- 3 to 6 +/- 1 mg/liter (P less than 0.0001) while vitamin C increased from 1.6 +/- .3 to 2.3 +/- .3 mg/dl (P less than 0.0001). Group II showed no significant increase in H2O2 (from 78 +/- 8 to 93 +/- 5 microns/ml) during CPB and a significant reduction in H2O2 levels compared to Group I (P less than 0.001); plasma vitamins E and C did not change significantly in Group II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ventilatory pattern and energy expenditure are altered in cystic fibrosis mice.

Abstract Background Altered ventilatory pattern and increased energy expenditure are facets of the complex cystic fibrosis (CF) phenotype. It is not known whether these are inherent attributes of CF, secondary consequences of lung infection or other disease complications. Methods Studies were performed in congenic C57BL/6J, F508del ( Cftr tm1kth ) and CF gut-corrected (F508del) mice. Ventilatory patterns were measured using whole-body plethysmography. Indirect calorimetry was used to determine oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and resting energy expenditure. Results CF mice (F508del and F508del gut-corrected) have a significantly faster respiratory rate and increased ventilatory pattern variability as compared to non-CF mice. F508del but not CF gut-corrected mice had significantly increased energy expenditure per gram body weight. Conclusions CF mice exhibit a faster, more variable ventilatory pattern. These changes were present in the absence of detectable infection or illness due to gastrointestinal obstruction. Increased resting energy expenditure does not completely account for these differences.
The test trial potentiating model

Abstract A theory is proposed to account for the functions of unreinforced test (T) trials in paired-associate learning: the forgetting-prevention effects as contrasted to blank (B) trials and the potentiating effects upon the subsequent reinforcement (R) trials. Both empirical effects were confirmed, through six experiments with a total of 384 valid subjects, under the three basic repetitive programming of R-T-B sequences of RT1 … Tm (Case 1), RB1 … Bm−1T (Case 2), and RTB1 … Bm−1 (Case 3), in which m was varied from 1 to 5. To solve the fifficulties encountered in extant learning theories, the new model postulates active retrieval processes as unique theoretical functions of T trials. The processes did not change empirical response probabilities significantly over the m successive Ts within a replication, but resulted in increasing the effectiveness on the subsequent Rs. Consistently satisfactory quantitative analyses with respect to both empirical effects of Ts provided decisive grounds for support for the proposed test trial potentiating model.
Content based image retrieval applied to contrast enhancing brain tumors

This work focuses on image retrieval utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) techniques for brain tumors from Magnetic Resonance (MR) studies. The research has been broken into three stages. Stage 1 consists of developing the PCA and LDA algorithms to be used for content based image retrieval (CBIR) systems. Stage 2 consists of evaluation of PCA and LDA algorithms on synthetic tumor images with added noise and shading artifacts. Stage 3 consists of tailoring the algorithm specifically for automated detection and CBIR system of MR contrast enhancing tumors matching a given query image. The algorithm has been developed and tested successfully for synthetic tumor images and actual contrast enhanced tumors. We hope to integrate the PCA and LDA algorithms to perform an indexing of the tumor shapes derived from actual MR images. Two relevant indices: size and location will also be used to index the data.
Windows Vista: Security features in Windows Vista and IE7 - Microsoft's view

With the launch of Windows Vista a few months off, its security prowess is more than a matter of curiosity. Detractors such as Symantec are lining up. We look under the covers at the security features in the run-up to Microsoft's biggest operating system launch since XP hit the streets nearly five years ago. And while we're at it, IE7, also currently in beta, gets the treatment. As the article shows, one of the features Windows Vista introduces is a privilege brokering system named User Account Control which obviates the need to login interactively with what Microsoft sees as 'excessive privilege'. The requirement for excessive privilege often stems from application developers who build code using privileged accounts and hence the software they produce often assumes a similar environment. Previous versions of Microsoft Windows have required privileged accounts to be used to change the system's TimeZone setting. This setting together with several others have been changed to enable control by regular users. With Windows Vista due to be released in early 2007, IT departments across the world are planning for the inevitable. Also currently in beta testing, Internet Explorer 7 is likely to be out by year-end. What can be expected security-wise? Microsoft presents its case.
Non-melanoma skin cancer: importance of gender, immunosuppressive status and vitamin D

Ultraviolet light B (UVB) is responsible for the majority of cutaneous damage and is believed to be the single most important etiologic agent in the development of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). These skin tumors are by far the most common form of cancer in humans, with over 1 million new cases identified in the United States each year. Several risk factors exist, which increase the chance of a patient developing NMSC including gender, immunosuppressive status and more controversially vitamin D levels. The present review provides an overview of each of these areas.
Interdisciplinary bar for the public interest: What CSR and NGO frameworks contribute to the public relations of British and European activists

Abstract This paper outlines the ways in which various literatures and exemplary organizations (Business for Social Responsibility, the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, and the Global Compact) define, set principles, and provide frameworks for corporate social responsibility (CSR). It also explores British broadcasters’ accountability mechanisms and the extent to which U.K. broadcasting activist NGOs view them as adequate CSR. The activists studied were six British broadcasting-centered and Scottish cultural NGOs that lobby in the EU and at home. The data suggested that these activists’ public relations has pro-social, pro-democratic effects and that the CSR/NGO literatures and organizational frameworks provided may enable broadcasting activists and targets to more effectively pursue CSR.
Giving a Deposition: Some Helpful Tips for the Occupational Therapy Practitioner

Occupational therapy practitioners frequently are asked to testify at depositions. Some may be intimidated by the legal process and not know what to do when subpoenaed to appear at a deposition. This article describes the deposition process, explains how one should prepare for a deposition, and provides helpful suggestions on how to tackle the deposition itself. This information can make the experience less threatening to those professionals asked to testify.
Business Process Reengineering

Business process reengineering is a systematic change management methodology focused on radical transformation of processes and systems tied to enhancing value for customers. It is a strategic cognitive approach grounded on rethinking the organization to deliver measurable results. Changes to business processes must be matched with a realignment of strategy, structure, culture, jobs, and information systems. Keywords: business processes; change management; strategy; redesign; systems; realignment
Sparsely substituted chlorins as core constructs in chlorophyll analogue chemistry. III. Spectral and structural properties

The availability of stable chlorins bearing few or no substituents has enabled a variety of fundamental studies. The studies described herein report absorption spectra of diverse chlorins, comparative NMR features of chlorins bearing 0-3 meso-aryl substituents, and X-ray structures of the fully unsubstituted chlorin and the oxochlorin.
CCOA: Cloud Computing Open Architecture

Cloud Computing is evolving as a key computing platform for sharing resources that include infrastructures, software, applications, and business processes. Virtualization is a core technology for enabling cloud resource sharing. However, most existing Cloud Computing platforms have not formally adopted the service-oriented architecture (SOA) that would make them more flexible, extensible, and reusable. By bridging the power of SOA and virtualization in the context of Cloud Computing ecosystem, this paper presents seven architectural principles and derives ten interconnected architectural modules to form a reusable and customizable Cloud Computing Open Architecture (CCOA). Two case studies on Infrastructure and Business Cloud are used to deliver business and practical value of infrastructure and business process provisioning services over the Internet. We also present some potential value-added services of the proposed CCOA to guide strategic planning and other consulting practices of Cloud Computing.
Digital Ink to Form Alignment for Electronic Clipboard Devices

This paper addresses the problem of aligning handwritten input captured as digital ink to form templates, which occurs when paper forms are filled using "electronic clipboard" devices such as the ACECAD DigiMemo. Due to certain non-linearities in the digitizer hardware, the ink that is obtained from these devices is seldom in exact alignment with the "soft" form template. While not a concern for simple note capturing applications, this poses a serious problem for form processing applications. In this paper, we explore image registration approaches to solve the ink alignment problem. Two kinds of point pattern approaches to solve this alignment problem are explored. One method considers ink as "rigid" and a global transformation matrix is used to align the ink with the form template, while the second assumes only minor distortions and hence adopts a more local approach. We compare the performance of the two approaches and present some preliminary results. A summary of the work in progress and next steps are presented in conclusion.
A New Method for Making Design Decisions: Decision Topologies

This paper shows how reliability block diagrams can be used as a decision making tool. The premise behind the idea is that classical decision analysis (DA), while very powerful, does not provide much tractability in assessing utility functions and their use in making decisions. Our recent work has shown that a reliability block diagram which is a visual representation of systems, can be used to describe a decision situation. In decision making, we called these block diagrams decision topologies (DTs). We show that DTs can be used to make engineering decisions just as DA. The paper also proves that in the limit, using DTs is entirely consistent with DA for both single attribute and multi-attribute cases. The main advantages of the proposed method are that (1) it provides a visual representation of a decision situation, and (2) accommodates continuous and binary attributes together, as well as the tradeoff between them. The paper details the theoretical basis of the proposed method and highlights its benefits. An example is used to demonstrate how DTs can be used in practice.
Assessment of Creativity in Apparel Design

This study examines creativity and vividness of imagery of students in a fashion illustration course. It was predicted that students who experienced vivid images (versus less vivid images) would draw more creative designs after a visualization exercise. Students responded to Betts' Vividness of Imagery Scale and participated in a visualization exercise, then were asked to sketch an apparel design using the exercise as inspiration. Designs were rated on creativity, aesthetic appeal, functionality, appropriateness, and originality. Reliability of judgments of creativity indicated that judges agreed on degree of creativity of the designs. Overall faculty ratings correlated with student ratings, but each student's own rating of the creativity of his or her design did not correlate with faculty or other students' ratings, suggesting that participants may be less objective in rating their own work. Vividness of visual, auditory and tactile imagery correlated with ratings of creativity. Ratings of creativity cor...
Antennas and other electromagnetic applicators in biology and medicine

Medical and biological applications of antennas can be classified into two broad groups: (1) therapeutic and (2) informational (including diagnostics and measurement of material electromagnetic (EM) properties). Most of these applications involve EM coupling into or out of the body which requires a device such as an antenna or other applicator. A common characteristic of many applications is the difficulty of coupling EM energy into the interior of the body without damaging the surface. Rapidly increasing computing power and new developments in numerical EM techniques are expected to have a great impact on the use of EM devices in medicine and biology. >