cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrocyclic Reactions in Stereoselective Synthesis

The stereochemical course of electrocyclic reactions is determined by the orbital symmetry rules. This makes it possible to make predictions of the stereochemical outcome of such carbon–carbon, bond-forming processes with much greater confidence than can usually be made in the case of reactions proceeding through other mechanisms. Although the potential of these reactions in total synthesis has long been recognized, only recently have the asymmetric catalyzed versions of some of these reactions been developed. A broad overview of this area with emphasis on methods with strong potential in natural products synthesis has been presented in this chapter. Keywords: electrocyclic reaction; stereoselective; electrocyclization; photochemical; thermal; total synthesis; CC bond formation; 6π-electrocyclic; Nazarov reaction; 4π-electrocyclic; ring opening; ring closure; cleavage; Buchner ring expansion; 2π-electrocyclic; oxete cleavage
The effect of dofetilide on ventricular defibrillation thresholds.

Introduction: High defibrillation threshold (DFT) with an inadequate defibrillation safety margin remains an infrequent but troubling problem associated with defibrillator implantation. Dofetilide is a selective class III antiarrhythmic drug that reduces DFTs in a canine model. We hypothesized that dofetilide would reduce DFTs in humans, obviating the need for complex lead systems. Methods and Results: Sixteen consecutive patients with DFTs ≥20 J delivered energy at implant-received dofetilide therapy and underwent follow-up DFT testing acutely following drug loading and/or chronically (128 ± 94 days). Amiodarone was discontinued in four patients at implantation. With dofetilide, DFTs decreased from 28 ± 4 J to 19 ± 7 J (P < 0.0001), resulting in a safety margin of 15 ± 8 J for the implanted devices. Five patients subsequently had spontaneous arrhythmias terminated successfully with shocks. Conclusion: Dofetilide reduces DFTs sufficiently to prevent the need for more complex lead systems. This strategy should be considered when an inadequate defibrillation safety margin is present.
Moisture determination in hygroscopic drug substances by near infrared spectroscopy

The moisture level in a hygroscopic drug substance was successfully determined by near infrared spectroscopy using coulometric Karl Fischer titration as the reference method. The importance of sample handling and proper application of the reference technique are stressed for this difficult sample type. Samples were prepared with moisture levels from 0.5 to 11.4% (w/w) and reflectance spectra were collected over the spectral range 1100-2500 nm. Calibration models were built using partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis. Optimum models were found by choosing proper spectral ranges and number of PLS factors. The best calibration models were built using first derivative spectra, a spectral range of 1850-1936 nm and 5 PLS factors. The corresponding standard error of prediction was 0.11% (w/w) water.
Analysis of multi-loop multi-rate digital control systems

A multi-rate multi-loop digital control system is a special class of a time varying system which contains two or more sampling switches operating at different data rates and two or more signal flow loops. When the ratio of the different rates are integers (i. e,, in practice most often powers of two) it is possible to analyze a multi-rate multi-loop system by reducing it to an equivalent signal rate multiloop time invariant system. Three different modeling procedures for this class of systems are: (i) sampler decomposition in time domain, (ii) sampler decomposition in frequency domain, and (iii) hybrid state transition. In the first and the third methods, the multi-rate system is reduced to an equivalent single rate system with the largest sampling period, whereas in the second method, the multi-rate system is reduced to an equivalent single rate system with the smallest sampling period. In this paper, a methodology is developed to apply the frequency domain decomposition technique to large scale digital systems. Three assertions are given which provide methods to compute multi-rate system with state space techniques. The developed algorithm which has been incorporated in the DIGIKON-II program is applied to the Space Shuttle flight control system. The multi-rate results are developed for 2:1 and 4:1 sampling ratios.
Clozapine toxicity: A discussion of pharmacokinetic factors

Abstract This report seeks to analyze and discuss different pharmacokinetic factors that might be responsible for a case of clozapine toxicity on a conventional clozapine dose. A 41-year-old Caucasian male with schizoaffective disorder was cross-titrated to 400 mg/day of clozapine to manage inadequate response on 6 mg/day of risperidone. A week later the patient became gradually confused and disoriented and eventually lost consciousness. The combined clozapine and norclozapine levels were elevated at 2500 ng/mL. Patient's symptoms resolved after clozapine was reduced to 75 mg/day with a reduction in clozapine and norclozapine levels to 420 ng/mL. Toxic clozapine levels may result from abnormal drug absorption, distribution, metabolism or elimination. Changes in absorption and/or distribution are unlikely to explain the toxic levels as clozapine has relatively high oral bioavailability at steady state and a large volume of distribution. In terms of metabolism, clozapine is primarily metabolized by CYP1A2, which biotransforms clozapine to norclozapine. However, it is unlikely that CYP1A2 was responsible, as any reduction in CYP1A2 activity would have likely altered clozapine and norclozapine ratio, which was not observed in this patient. Involvement of other CYP enzymes in the development of clozapine toxicity was ruled out through genotyping. Since liver and renal function tests were also within normal limit, it is difficult to pinpoint a single pharmacokinetic factor responsible for unusually high clozapine and norclozapine levels in this patient. However, a combination of various pharmacokinetic factors may provide an explanation for clozapine toxicity in this patient. Conclusion Some patients can develop unusually high levels of clozapine and/or its metabolites on routine clozapine dosages resulting in clinically serious adverse effects as observed in our patient.
VM data spaces and ESA/XC facilities

Release 1.1 of the Virtual Machine/Enterprise Systems Architecture™ (VM/ESA™) operating system introduces a new function called VM Data Spaces, provided through a new virtual-machine architecture called Enterprise Systems Architecture/Extended Configuration (ESA/XC). ESA/XC is the strategic VM/ESA virtual-machine environment for Conversational Monitor System (CMS) users and service virtual machines requiring large amounts of storage or advanced data-sharing capabilities. ESA/XC includes all of the facilities of System/370 Extended Architecture (370-XA) that are used by CMS or server programs and is therefore upward compatible for CMS or server programs currently running in 370-XA virtual machines. To this 370-XA base, ESA/XC adds the data space and access-register addressing capabilities previously available only under the Multiple Virtual Storage/Enterprise Systems Architecture (MVS/ESA™) operating system. These addressing extensions can be used to make additional storage available to large, storage-constrained applications and can also be used by servers as an efficient way of sharing data between service virtual machines and the users that access those servers. As an introduction to the VM Data Spaces function, this paper describes the ESA/XC virtual-machine architecture and presents an overview of the VM/ESA services provided in support of the ESA/XC architecture.
Incorporating Real-Time Financial Data Into Business Curricula

The need to incorporate business and economic data into curricula has been a driver of technology adoption in business schools. Webbased resources and professional data services, such as Reuters and Bloomberg, are being increasingly adopted by business programs to meet this need. There are clear trade-offs to adopting either technological approach. In this article, the author presents examples of incorporating real-time data from professional data services into a variety of business topics.
Posterior knee pain

Posterior knee pain is a common patient complaint. There are broad differential diagnoses of posterior knee pain ranging from common causes such as injury to the musculotendinous structures to less common causes such as osteochondroma. A precise understanding of knee anatomy, the physical examination, and of the differential diagnosis is needed to accurately evaluate and treat posterior knee pain. This article provides a review of the anatomy and important aspects of the history and physical examination when evaluating posterior knee pain. It concludes by discussing the causes and management of posterior knee pain.
Evolution of a glucose-regulated ADH gene in the genus Saccharomyces.

Abstract To determine when a glucose-repressed alcohol dehydrogenase isozyme and its regulatory gene, ADR1, arose during evolution, we surveyed species of the genus Saccharomyces for glucose-repressed ADH isozymes and for ADR1 homologues. Glucose-repressed ADH isozymes were present in all species of Saccharomyces sensu strictu and also in Saccharomyces kluyveri, the most distant member of the Saccharomyces clade. We cloned and characterized ADH promoters from S. bayanus, S. douglasii, and S. kluyveri. The ADH promoters from S. bayanus and S. douglasii had conserved sequences, including upstream regulatory elements, and an extended polydA tract. The expression of a reporter gene driven by the S. bayanus promoter was glucose-repressed and dependent on the major activator of transcription, ADR1, when it was introduced into S. cerevisiae. One S. kluyveri promoter was also glucose-repressed and ADR1-dependent in S. cerevisiae. The other S. kluyveri ADH promoter was expressed constitutively and was ADR1-independent. Although showing little sequence conservation with the S. cerevisiae ADH2 promoter, the glucose-repressed S. kluyveri promoter contains numerous potential binding sites for Adr1. The glucose-repressed ADH from S. kluyveri is a mitochondrial isozyme most closely related to S. cerevisiae ADHIII. ADR1 homologues from S. douglasii and S. paradoxus contain a trinucleotide repeat encoding polyAsn that is lacking in S. cerevisiae and S. bayanus. No ADR1 homologue could be detected in S. kluyveri, suggesting that the potential for Adr1 regulation may have arisen first, before ADR1 evolved.
Integrable quantum field theories and Bogoliubov transformations

Abstract The Federbush, massless Thirring and continuum Ising models and related integrable relativistic quantum field theories are studied. It is shown that local and covariant classical field operators exist that generate Bogoliubov transformations of the annihilation and creation operators on the Fock spaces of the respective models. The quantum fields of these models are closely related or equal to quadratic forms implementing these transformations, and hence formally inherit the covariance and locality of the underlying classical field operators. It is proved that the Federbush and massless Thirring fields on the physical sector do not satisfy the equation of motion. Closely related fields are defined that do satisfy it, and which lead to the same S -matrix, but these fields are presumably non-local. Bethe transforms are constructed for the various models, and on the unphysical sector the relation with the field theory approach is established.
The effects of cross-fostering on the development of social preferences in meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus).

To determine the role of the parental environment in the formation of species attachments in the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), young of this species were fostered to either meadow vole parents (in-fostered young) or to prairie vole parents (M. ochrogaster; cross-fostered young). At 50 to 60 days of age, subjects were tested for social preference in an evironment that simulated the conditions of a runway system. The testing design assessed the reaction of fostered animals to a novel species (M. pinetorum) as well as to the parental and biological species. The proportion of total test time spent near stimulus animals did not vary as a function of rearing condition. However, when compared to in-fostered controls, cross-fostered meadow voles displayed increased preference for prairie voles. Novelty did not appear to be a significant factor in test animal choice. These results suggest that in meadow voles, preference for the species of social partner is dependent on postnatal experience with parents.
Aerial Implicit 3D Video Stabilization Using Epipolar Geometry Constraint

We present an accurate video stabilization method on aerial videos using the epipolar geometry constraint. Most previous methods used 2D homography for stabilization, but failed to overcome the parallax problem. In this work, we propose to use dense correspondences for stabilization and the epipolar constraint to deal with the parallax effect. We start by estimating the dense correspondences between two frames. The dense correspondences are then used to estimate the epipolar geometry. The epipolar geometry has an implicit 3D constraint that can be used to improve the dense correspondences and handle the parallax. We evaluate our method on a real-life database containing three aerial image sequences. We also compare our method with the dominant 2D method for aerial video stabilization. The quantitative result demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach.
In vivo and in vitro models to test the hypothesis of particle-induced effects on cardiac function and arrhythmias.

Exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs) by inhalation increases the number and severity of cardiac events. The specific mechanism(s), of action are unknown. This study was designed to examine whether UFPs could exert a direct effect on the cardiovascular system without dependence upon lung-mediated responses. The direct effects of UFPs were determined in normal rats (infused intravenously with UFPs), and in the isolated Langendorff perfused rat heart. UFPs from either ambient air (UFAAs) or diesel engine exhaust (UFDGs) were studied. Infusion of UFDGs prepared in our laboratory caused ventricular premature beats (VPBs) in 2 of 3 rats in vivo. Ejection fraction in creased slightly (∼4.5%) in rats receiving UFPAA and was unchanged in the UFDG and saline groups in vivo. In the isolated rat heart, perfused according to Langendorff, UFDGs caused a marked ncrease in left-ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP; from 12.0±4.6 mmHg to 24.8±11.2 mmHg, p<0.05) after 30 min of exposure. UFPs isolated from industrial diesel particulate matter (UFIDs), obtained from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, caused a significant decrease in left-ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP; from 85.7±4.0 mmHg to 37.9±20.3 mmHg, p<0.05) and ±dp/dt (from 2365±158 mmHg/s to 1188±858 mmHg/s, p<0.05) at 30 min after the start of infusion. This effect was absent when the soluble fraction (containing no particles) isolated from the UFIDs was studied. These findings indicate that UFPs can have direct effects on the cardiovascular system that are independent of effects of particles on the lungs.
Evaluating the predatory potential of carnivorous nematodes against Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne incognita

Predatory behavior of a nematode is usually determined through gut content observation or prey delimitation counts. In this experiment, Mononchus and Neoactinolaimus predation of Rotylenchulus reniformis or Meloidogyne incognita was determined using a PCR-based nematode gut content analysis. Soil samples naturally infested with Mononchus were placed in tubes and potential prey nematodes R. reniformis, M. incognita, or a mixture of both were introduced. The gut contents of Mononchus were assayed for the DNA from R. reniformis or M. incognita using PCR specific primers. A higher % of Mononchus tested positive for DNA of R. reniformis than for M. incognita when the prey were added alone. However, when provided with both prey species, Mononchus was tested positive for DNA of M. incognita more frequently than for R. reniformis. Percent Mononchus testing positive for DNA of R. reniformis correlated positively with the abundance of R. reniformis, but this relationship was not observed between Mononchus and M. incognita. Neoactinolaimus was added to aqueous solution containing a mixture of free-living nematodes and R. reniformis. More Neoactinolaimus tested positive for DNA of R. reniformis than other predatory or omnivorous nematodes in the same samples. Based on regression analysis, the presence of fungivorous and other predatory nematodes in the soil could distract Neoactinolaimus from predation on R. reniformis. Our results suggested that Prismatolaimus, Mesodiplogasteroides and Eudorylaimus could also prey on R. reniformis. Although less than 40% of the predatory or omnivorous nematodes tested preyed on R. reniformis, this level of predation could contribute to reducing the population densities of plant-parasitic nematodes in the soil.
Hospitals' Movements toward the Electronic Medical Record: Implications for Nurses

(2004). Hospitals' Movements toward the Electronic Medical Record: Implications for Nurses. Hospital Topics: Vol. 82, No. 1, pp. 33-36.
Men at risk for hypertension show elevated vascular resistance at rest and during mental stress

Men at risk for development of hypertension may show elevated blood pressure at rest and during work on mental stressors. We examined which component of blood pressure, vascular resistance or cardiac output, accounted for raised blood pressures seen in a high-risk, normotensive sample. Parental history of hypertension and resting systolic blood pressures were used to categorize subjects into high (n = 19) and low (n = 14) risk groups. Blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, and vascular resistance were measured during rest, mental arithmetic, and reaction time. Compared to low risk subjects, the high risk men had significantly higher blood pressures accompanied by higher vascular resistances at rest and during mental stress. The groups had negligible differences in heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output. This pattern of results implicates vascular resistance as the dominant element in altered blood pressure control in these young men at high risk for hypertension.
Temperature-Dependent and Bistable Current–Voltage Measurements in Zinc Porphyrin Molecular Junctions

We report bistability in current–voltage curves from di(PEP)PorZn in an electromigrated molecular junction. Bistability was observed at ±0.3 V at 300 K but did not occur at 4 K. No bistability was identified at 300 K for another porphyrin molecule (di(Xyl)PorZn), where the phenyl-ethnyl-phenyl (PEP) side groups were replaced with a flexible p-xylene. Molecular dynamics simulations show that bistability may be due to conformation changes related to the fluctuation of the dihedral angle surrounding the zinc and/or the rotation of the porphyrin central plane of the molecule. Results suggest that other mechanisms may play a role in the current–voltage characteristics observed.
Use of a thermally insulated column for improved speed, efficiency and resolution in packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography

Abstract The use of a thermally insulated column for significant improvements in speed, efficiency and resolution in packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography at intermediate mobile phase densities is demonstrated. Elution of a mixture of normal alkanes, containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms from a 150×2.0-mm I.D. column packed with 5-μm porous octylsilica particles, was performed with carbon dioxide mobile phase at 50°C at reduced densities of 1.0 and 1.5. For elution of n-octadecane at a reduced density of 1.0, a two- to sixteen-fold increase in the apparent number of theoretical plates was observed for an insulated column compared to the uninsulated column at pressure drops of 12 and 29 bar, respectively, along with decreased retention times and improved resolution. The improved efficiency obtained with an insulated column at the lower density is due to the effective elimination of radial temperature gradients associated with expansion and cooling of the mobile phase. The insulated column provided no measurable improvement at the higher density.
Functional Hierarchical Search Results Data Analysis

NASA Ames, in collaboration with JSC ISS MOD, has been developing novel systems for searching across multiple heterogeneous data systems in order to facilitate rapid retrieval of relevant information for flight controllers on console and in their off-console duties. Traditional data mining techniques to identify document similarity rely upon brute-force O(n2) cosine similarity of vectors representing text contained in the documents - an expensive and time-consuming operation that becomes unfeasible on large data sets such as those in use by the Shuttle and Station programs at NASA. This paper details a technique developed as part of this activity to identify documents similar to documents relevant and of interest to the user by leveraging the prior search results to produce a weighted graph of document relationships based upon search terms. This paper details the algorithms used, the user interface prototypes developed to evaluate the usefulness of similarity to the browsing activities of users, and the evaluation of the accuracy of this technique as compared with traditional data mining techniques.
Using Housing Quality to Track Change in the Standard of Living and Poverty for Seventeenth-Century London

Abstract Housing quality is an important component of the standard of living, touching on aspects usually ignored in efforts to measure it, in part because housing quality itself is difficult to measure—especially over time. There are choices over inputs versus outputs for quality, and over objectively versus subjectively determined evaluations of it. Historians must also cope with today's versus yesteryear's beliefs about housing quality and standards. Descriptions of London's housing quality over the seventeenth century and changes in rents show that housing improved across income groups. Housing poverty apparently declined in percentage but grew in absolute numbers. Higher incomes, better-built housing, and processes of the housing market all contributed, including housing/household “filtering”—a unique process of the housing market whose London aspects others have reported but never placed in a coherent account.
Radioimmunoscintigraphy of prostate cancer

The development of hybridoma technology has increased research efforts and clinical applications in the area of radioimmunodetection. Despite the many investigative antibodies directed against prostatic tissue or prostate cancer cell lines, only two have been tested in clinical trials. A 111 In-labeled antibody directed against prostate-specific antigen, the best available serum tumor marker for prostate cancer, has shown poor sensitivity in limited clinical radioimmunoimaging trials. Monoclonal antibodies against prostatic acid phosphatase have shown better imaging results, particularly at higher antibody doses (≥40mg). The limitations of this antibody include the poor results in detecting soft tissue lesions, including the primary lesion; the development of human antimouse antibodies in 50% of the patients at doses >-40 mg; the expense of the antibody; and the fact that better results are currently attainable by other less expensive imaging modalities. If and when a more suitable antibody or fragment is developed, the prospect of improved staging and new treatments using immunologic conjugates carrying therapeutic agents may become realities. Until such time, prostatic cancer will be staged with other currently available imaging modalities and conventional therapies with their limitations will remain state of the art.
TOLERANCE AND RACIAL IDENTITY AMONG FOREIGN SOJOURNERS: TESTING THE CONTACT HYPOTHESIS '

Increased contact among cultures has important implications for contemporary sociecy, and issues of cross-cultural adjustment must be addressed by any foreign sojourner (2). Researchers have tested the uthty of the contact hypothesis, i.e., that acceptance of others increases as a Function of concact (1); however, this study tested the hypothesis that awareness of one's own race (racial identity) and tolerance of differences enhance acceptance of others in intercultural contact by giving 27 Euro-American adults (59% women, M age 27 yr.) who worked in Brazil for two months the same survey measures of acceptance of Brazilians, tolerance of differences, and one of racial identity on the days of departure and return. I tests for dependent means indicated no statistically significant differences in mean scores from preto posttest. A simple regression suggested that pretest attitudes toward Brazilians explained most of the variance in posttesr attitudes toward Brazilians (Ad;. ~ ~ = . 5 7 , b= .76, p < ,001). Hence, participants' pretest scores were stable over 2 months and predictive of posttesc acticudes. Note that the sample uras very small and demographic composition restricted. Although many contacts were of high quality (11, equal status among members of the two cultures was not possible. Researchers may control For status differences when examining the relative weight of precontact attitudes and quality of contact variables.
A low-power 12-bit capacitance-to-digital converter for capacitive MEMS pressure sensor

A novel low-power capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) switched-capacitor is presented. The proposed CDC is targeted to work with MEMS capacitive pressure sensors that exhibit a large fixed capacitive component and a small variable capacitive component. The proposed CDC works by subtracting the large fixed capacitive component first and converting to time the remaining capacitance. The time equivalent is then digitized using a counter. The designed CDC consumes 90 µW of power and has a resolution of 12 bits making it suitable for energy-constrained applications such as implantable sensors. The designed CDC was implemented on a 0.5 µm CMOS technology with the die measuring 3 mm × 2.4 mm.
Lack of electron–phonon coupling along two-dimensional bands in Bi1−xSbx single crystal alloys

Abstract From the temperature dependent broadening of high-resolution angle resolved valence band spectra of Bi 0.92 Sb 0.08 , we deduce the electron–phonon (e–p) interaction in several bands close to the Fermi level. Our data indicate that the e–p coupling constant λ is highly anisotropic in k ∥ . For a three-dimensional band close to Γ ¯ we find λ = 0.54 ± 0.03 while the e–p coupling with electrons from a nearby two-dimensional band is only λ = 0.05 ± 0.01. Another two-dimensional highly dispersive and very narrow band with a Fermi momentum of only k F = 0.0084 A −1 close to M ¯ in the direction perpendicular to the bisectrix-line is nearly temperature independent. The e–p coupling constant for holes at the bottom of this band at E i = −24 meV is only λ =0.007 ± 0.005 and does not seem to further increase for holes closer to the Fermi level.
Letter to the Editor-Comments on Preceding Note

Comments on Saaty, T. L. The burdens of queuing charges-comments on a letter by Leeman. Oper. Sci.13 679.
Evolution in the everyday world.

The article discusses how the principles governing biological evolution are influencing optimization and design in numerous social realms, including health care, law enforcement and ecology. The author examines how these disciplines correlate, examining links between phylogenetic analyses of pathogens, criminal forensic investigations, and evolutionary science. INSETS: Molecular Clocks;EVOLVING HIGH SPEED;The Tree of Tongues.
An Experimental Study of the Structures Mediating Bilateral Synchrony of Epileptic Discharges of Cortical Origin

SUMMARY In acute experiments performed in cats under ethyl urethane anaesthesia, bilateral epileptic foci were created on the sigmoid gyri of both cerebral hemispheres. Confirming previous observations, the 2 foci were found to discharge synchronously. Bilateral synchronization was present as well between the epileptic discharges propagated to the intralaminar thalamic nuclei and midbrain reticular formation. Splitting of the corpus callosum and hippocampal commissure disrupted bilateral synchrony of epileptic discharges. The latter could be restored by increasing the intensity of epileptic activity. Additional split of the diencephalon (anterior commissure, massa intermedia and hypothalamus) again disrupted epileptic bilateral synchrony. The latter could still reappear following further increase of epileptic activity. Finally, split of midbrain tectum and tegmentum eradicated bilateral synchrony of epileptic potentials. It is stressed that in the brain-split animals bilateral synchronization of the epileptic discharges can reappear only if the convulsive activity of the 2 cortical foci is strong enough to propagate subcortically to the intralaminar thalamic nuclei and midbrain reticular formation. The possible role of the non-specific brain structures in mediating the bilateral synchrony in the animals lacking the telencephalic and diencephalic commissures is suggested and discussed. RESUME Des foyers epileptogenes bilateraux ont ete effectues chez le chat anesthesie avec l'ethyl-uretane, sur le girus sigmoideux des deux hemispheres (experiences aigues). En accord avec les precedentes donnees experimentelles, les decharges des 2 foyers etaient synchrones; les decharges propagees aux noyaux intra-laminaires thalamiques et a la formation reticulaire mesencephalique etaient aussi synchrones. La section longitudinelle du corpus callosum et de la commissure de l'hippocampe supprimait la synchronic bilaterale. Cette synchronic reapparaissait quand l'activiteepileptique devenait plus intense. La synchronic etait de nouveau perdue avec la section longitudinelle du diencephale (commissura anterior, massa intermedia et hypothalamus). Cette fois aussi on pouvait avoir encore une synchronic si l'activiteepileptique devenait plus intense. Enfin, la synchronic des decharges epileptiques disparaissait en facon definitive avec la section longitudinelle du tectum et du tegmentum mesencephaliques. On souligne l'importance du fait que chez les animaux qui avaient ete sectiones, la synchronic des decharges epileptiques de 2 foyers corticaux pouvait reapparaitre seulement lorsqu'il y avait une propagation aux noyaux thalamiques intralaminaires et a la formation reticulaire mesencephalique. On discute la possibilitye du role des structures non specifique dans le mecanisme de la synchronie bilaterale de l'activiteepileptique.
AIMB: Analogy and intelligence in model building. System description and performance characteristics

Abstract This paper describes a new approach to building molecular models using reasoning by analogy. We apply symbolic reasoning to a problem previously only approached numerically. AIMB mimics the behavior of expert chemists: the more knowledge AIMB has, the faster and more accurate the models AIMB builds. AIMB has rules of analogy in the program, but all knowledge of geometry is in the knowledge base of known 3D structures. The method described here generates minimum energy models without minimization and is significantly faster than the fastest numerical minimization methods. MolFiles of models produced by AIMB and of the corresponding crystal structures are included on disk 4.
Associations of Health-Related Quality of Life with Healthcare Utilization Status in Veterans

Evidence indicates that veterans using VA healthcare services have poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Little is known, however, about differences in HRQOL among those who only use VA services and those who also use non-VA services. We sought to evaluate differences in HRQOL among veterans who use: (1) only non-VA services (2) only VA services and (3) both VA and non-VA services (i.e., dual users). A cross-sectional study of 39,942 US veterans who completed the CDC’s 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey was analyzed. Self-rated measures of global health status and the number of days per month that veterans were limited by physical or mental problems were extracted from BRFSS survey data as outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that, compared to those receiving all healthcare outside of VA, veterans receiving VA care were more likely to report poorer health outcomes, including worse global health status, greater impairments in physical functioning, and increased limitations regarding routine activities (p’s ≤ .05). Both exclusive and dual users of VA services reported poorer HRQOL than individuals not using VA services. More research is needed regarding veterans’ health status, particularly in the context of dual use.
Update: Molecular Imaging and Personalized Medicine: An Uncertain Future

The Food and Drug Administration has described their view of the role that imaging will play in the approval, and perhaps postapproval, use of new therapeutic drugs. The therapeutic drug industry and regulatory authorities have turned to imaging to help them achieve better efficiency and efficacy. We must extend this initiative by demonstrating that molecular imaging can also improve the efficiency and efficacy of routine treatment with these same drugs. The role of molecular imaging in personalized medicine, using targeted drugs in oncology, is very attractive because of the regional information that it provides (in many cases, with a functional or dynamic component), which cannot be provided by in vitro methods (“regional proteomics”). There is great potential for molecular imaging to play a major role in selecting appropriate patients and providing early proof of response, which is critical to addressing the conflict between the high price of treatment and limited reimbursement budgets. This is a new v...
4D-CT imaging with synchronized intravenous contrast injection to improve delineation of liver tumors for treatment planning

We have developed a tumor-specific protocol for the 4D-CT imaging of liver tumors using synchronized intravenous (IV) contrast injection to improve the accuracy of tumor delineation for treatment planning. Most liver metastases and cholangiocarcinomas can be imaged in the portal venous phase, while hepatocellular carcinomas are most visible in the delayed phase. Combined 4D-CT imaging with synchronized IV contrast allows for both enhancement of tumor contrast and coverage over the entire breathing cycle.
Effects of air quality on foliar injury, growth, yield, and quality of muskmelon.

Abstract An evaluation of the effects of ambient ozone (O3) on muskmelon was conducted with the use of open-top chambers (OTCs). ‘Superstar’ muskmelons grown in charcoal-filtered (CF) chambers compared to those grown in nonfiltered (NF) chambers showed significant differences in the severity of visible foliar O3 injury. Furthermore, plants grown in NF conditions had significantly less (21·3%) marketable fruit weight and fewer (20·9%) marketable fruit number than those from CF chambers. No differences were found in early biomass production, leaf area, or number of nodes after 3 weeks of exposure to treatment conditions. Ambient O3 did not affect soluble solids content of mature fresh fruit nor foliage fresh weight at final harvest. Results indicate that ambient concentrations of O3 in southwestern Indiana caused significant foliar injury and yield loss to muskmelons.
THE EFFICACY OF REGULATORS' ESTIMATES OF LIFE INSURER PORTFOLIO RISK

: In recent years, state regulators have expended considerable effort and resources to better measure the asset portfolio risk of life insurers. Their estimates are both particularly important in determining reserve requirements and potentially useful for testing the agency costs of conflict between the fixed and residual claimants of insurers. In this study, we test the degree to which these regulator-developed measures are related to the firm and environmental characteristics that financial economists have linked to managerial risk-taking propensities. Our results provide insight into whether these measures effectively gauge the risk preferences of insurer managers.
Network assisted network selection

With the growth of data-capable, multi-interface wireless and mobile devices, a lot of research work is being done on handover management and network selection in heterogeneous environment. The goal is that a user should be able to select an appropriate wireless network according to its service requirements and seamlessly handover to that network regardless of the underlying wireless technology being used. In this scenario, there is a need for a mechanism that would facilitate a particular user to select the most appropriate network in a way that is beneficial to the overall network and its users as a whole. In this paper we propose a mechanism we call Network Assisted Network Selection (NANS) that combines network-based, service-based and user-based criteria for network selection, and uses Generalized Assignment Problem (GAP) to assign the network resources to a set of users.
A study of procedures for burnishing amalgam restorations

0 f the studies and clinical notations reported, numerous burnishing techniques have been suggested; there is no standardized procedure. Since the 196Os, these techniques have consisted of a one-, two-, or three-step procedure. The time suggested to begin the one-step procedure has ranged from just after overfill, or after completion of the condensation procedure, to 12 minutes after carving.‘-I3 The average time to begin burnishing is just after the carving procedure when the amalgam is hard enough to resist deformation. For the two-step method, burnishing is done at 7 minutes and again at 12 minutes after trituration.14 The three-step procedure is done after overfill, after carving, and again after recarving.15 Other aspects of the procedure have also varied. The burnishing force has ranged from light pressure to 2 kg, the average a light pressure. The duration has ranged from the attainment of a dull luster (satin, velvety shine) to a shiny, highly reflective surface. The purpose of this study was to investigate the various procedures of burnishing. A technique comprised of these procedures would provide for more consistency in testing the efficacy of burnishing.
Bridging the chasm between survey and case study research: Research methods for achieving generalization, accuracy, and complexity

Abstract This article describes how behavioral science research methods that management and marketing scholars apply in studying processes involving decisions and organizational outcomes relate to three principal research objectives: fulfilling generality of findings, achieving accuracy of process actions and outcomes, and capturing complexity of nuances and conditions. The article's unique contribution is in advocating and describing the possibilities of researchers replacing Thorngate's (1976) “postulate of commensurate complexity” – it is impossible for a theory of social behavior to be simultaneously general, accurate, and simple and as a result organizational theorists inevitably have to make tradeoffs in their theory development – with a new postulate of disproportionate achievement. This new postulate proposes the possibilities and advocates the building and testing of useful process models that achieve all three principal research objectives. Rather than assuming the stance that a researcher must make tradeoffs that permit achieving any two, but not all three, principal research objectives as Weick (1979) clock analogy shows, this article advocates embracing a property space (a three-dimensional box rather than a clock) view of research objectives and research methods. Tradeoffs need not be made; having-your-cake-and-eating-it-too is possible. The article includes a brief review of principal criticisms that case study researchers often express of surveys of respondents using fixed-point surveys. Likewise, the article reviews principal criticisms of case study research studies that researchers who favor the use of fixed-point surveys express.
Design and Characterization of Artificial Haircell Sensor for Flow Sensing With Ultrahigh Velocity and Angular Sensitivity

We report the development of an artificial hair cell (AHC) sensor with design inspired by biological hair cells. The sensor consists of a silicon cantilever beam with a high-aspect-ratio cilium attached at the distal end. Sensing is based on silicon piezoresistive strain gauge at the base of the cantilever. The cilium is made of photodefinable SU-8 epoxy and can be up to 700-mum tall. In this paper, we focus on flow-sensing applications. We have characterized the performance of the AHC sensor both in water and in air. For underwater applications, we have characterized the sensor under two flow conditions: steady-state laminar flow (dc flow) and oscillatory flow (ac flow). The detection limit of the sensor under ac flow in water is experimentally established to be below 1 mm/s. A best case angular resolution of 2.16deg is also achieved for the sensor's yaw response in air.
Psychophysical outcomes from a randomized pilot study of manual, electro, and sham acupuncture treatment on experimentally induced thermal pain.

Abstract In this pilot study comparing the analgesic effects of three acupuncture modes—manual, electro, and placebo (with Streitberger placebo needles)—in a cohort of healthy subjects, we found that verum acupuncture treatment, but not placebo, lowered pain ratings in response to calibrated noxious thermal stimuli. This finding was mainly the result of highly significant analgesia in 5 of the 11 subjects who completed the 5-session study. Of the 5 responders, 2 responded only to electroacupuncture and 3 only to manual acupuncture, suggesting that acupuncture's analgesic effects on experimental pain may be dependent on both subject and mode. We developed a simple quantitative assessment tool, the Subjective Acupuncture Sensation Scale (SASS), comprised of 9 descriptors and an anxiety measure to study the relationship between the deqi sensation induced by acupuncture and the putative therapeutic effects of acupuncture. The SASS results confirm that the deqi sensation is complex, with all subjects rating multiple descriptors during each mode. We found significant correlations of analgesia with SASS ratings of numbness and soreness, but not with ratings of stabbing, throbbing, tingling, burning, heaviness, fullness, or aching. This suggests that attributes of the deqi sensation may be useful clinical indicators of effective treatment. Perspective The results of this study indicate the existence of both individual subject and acupuncture mode variability in the analgesic effects of acupuncture. This suggests that switching acupuncture mode may be a treatment option for unresponsive patients.
Finite element modelling of fire degraded FRP composite panels using a rate dependent constitutive model

A thermal model for the pyrolytic decomposition of FRP composite sandwich panels exposed to fire has been numerically implemented. The degradation of key mechanical properties with elevated temperatures has been characterized. Finally, a constitutive theory for FRP laminated composite materials that accounts for both temperature and strain rate dependent response, as would result from exposure to the elevated temperatures of a fire, has been developed and implemented. The theory fully accounts for arbitrary reorientations of the laminate and anisotropic material response, as well as for finite strains. The mechanical model thus takes into account expected material-level failure modes such as kinking as well as structural modes such as global buckling. In the current work, these three models are tied together, allowing the thermomechanical response of an arbitrary structural member exposed to fire to be characterized. An existing experiment, involving a panel exposed to combined mechanical and thermal loading, is modelled using this technique, and the model is shown to accurately replicate the panel's response.
Reduction of methemoglobin in human adult and cord blood erythrocytes incubated with glucose or inosine.

SummaryImpaired reduction of methemo-globin to hemoglobin by erythrocytes from cord blood is observed with either glucose or inosine as substrate. This observation is consonant with the hypothesis that the decreased reduction is a result of diminished activity of the NADH2-methemoglobin reductase system in the erythrocytes of cord blood. Neonatal deficiency in the activity of this enzyme system may contribute significantly to the increased susceptibility of infants to toxic methemoglobinemia.
A new design and coatings for piezoelectric crystals in measurement of trace amounts of sulfur dioxide

Abstract A new design for the coated piezoelectric crystal detector cell is described; this provides very high sensitivity. Triethanolamine and quadrol are the new substrates used for the detection of sulfur dioxide. The new design and the new coatings together make possible the selective detection of sulfur dioxide in nitrogen even at p.p.b. levels.
The Adjustment of Non-Disabled Siblings of Children with Autism

This study compared the psychosocial and emotional adjustment of siblings of children with autism and siblings of non-disabled children. In addition, differences between self and parent reports, as well as various demographic characteristics were examined. Fifty-one siblings of children with autism and 35 siblings of non-disabled children, between the ages of 7 and 17, along with one parent of each sibling, participated. Results indicated that the presence of a child with autism appears to enhance the psychosocial and emotional development of non-disabled siblings when demographic risk factors are limited. However, the presence of a child with autism appears to have an increasingly unfavorable impact on the non-disabled sibling as demographic risk factors increase.
Restructuring Courses in Higher Education to Model Constructivist Practice

Abstract Because most teacher educators accept constructivist principles as best practice in education, they are always searching for effective teaching methods that model constructivism. This article presents a four-phase model that could be used to infuse constructivist practice into higher education courses. The model describes a change in course structure that is an effective method of teaching university students and illustrating constructivist principles.
Multilayered polypyrrole-gold-polyvinylidene fluoride composite actuators

Much attention has been given to ionic electroactive devices constructed using conducting polymers due to their low voltage requirements, high strain, and similarities to natural muscle. However, the time response and output force of conducting polymer actuators has always been a limiting factor in their implementation. In this study, we report on a processing technique and parametric optimization for multilayer polypyrrole-gold-polyvinylidene fluoride (PPy- Au-PVDF) composite actuators that have the possibility of overcoming the prior problems. These actuators are operable in air, have faster time response, and are projected to generate higher force compared to that of conventional conducting polymer actuators. These improvements are made possible due to the improvement in processing conditions and novel multilayer geometry of the actuators. A five layer PPy-Au-PVDF-Au-PPy actuator operating in air with 0.5M KCl electrolyte was shown to generate deflections up to 90% of the actuator length at a rate of 50% per second.