cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nicotine delivery and cigarette equivalents from vaping a JUULpod.

With patented nicotine salt technology, JUUL dominates the e-cigarette market. We reviewed studies of JUUL’s nicotine pharmacokinetic profile and studies quantifying nicotine in a JUULpod, emitted in the aerosol and absorbed by users. Examined in eight studies, JUUL’s peak nicotine levels were half to three-quarters that of a combustible cigarette in industry-conducted studies with JUUL-naive users, while comparable to or greater than combustible cigarettes in independent studies of experienced e-cigarette users. JUUL Labs reports each 5% (nicotine-by-weight) cartridge contains approximately 40 mg nicotine per pod and is ‘approximately equivalent to about 1 pack of cigarettes.’ In five independent studies, nicotine in the liquid in a JUULpod ranged from 39.3 to 48.3 mg. Seven studies measured nicotine delivery via vaping-machine generated aerosols, varying in puffing regimes and equipment. One study estimated 68% transfer efficiency to the aerosol, measuring 28.8 mg nicotine per JUULpod. The other studies reported nicotine values ranging from 72 to 164 µg/puff. At 200 puffs, this is 14.4–32.8 mg of nicotine per pod with equivalence to 13–30 cigarettes. A study measuring nicotine levels in JUUL users during a 5-day controlled switch found equivalence to 18 cigarettes. One JUULpod appears capable of delivering the nicotine equivalent to smoking about a pack of cigarettes, with variability. In JUUL-naive smokers, JUUL’s nicotine boost was lower than that of combustible cigarettes; while in experienced users, JUUL was comparable. Minimising harshness and adaptive to user experience, JUUL’s design facilitates initiation to a high nicotine, and ultimately, highly addictive vaping product.
Effects of confinement on absolute and convective instabilities for momentum-driven countercurrent shear layers

We present results from the first experimental realization of a two-dimensional confined countercurrent shear layer driven by momentum flows, without the use of suction. Distinct peaks are observed in the frequency spectrum of velocity fluctuations, suggesting the presence of global instabilities. The variation of these frequencies with injected mass flow rate is predicted reasonably well by a spatiotemporal linear stability analysis of local velocity profiles, which checks for the presence of absolute instability, and suggests that confinement destabilizes the shear layer over a broad range of ratio of shear layer thickness to channel width.
Superficial Femoral Artery Stent Extrusion

ABSTRACT: The superficial femoral artery (SFA) is a common location for endovascular treatment of occlusive arterial disease. Stent extrusion is an uncommon complication of stent placement. This case report raises awareness of this rare complication and describes the management of a single unique case. Although rare, the complication of stent extrusion should be considered in patients with abnormal symptoms after endovascular treatment of SFA disease.
If All the World Were Listening

Margaret played with two yellow leaves that had floated down upon her like toys dropped into a playpen by a smiling mother. Shadows of the picket fence in whose corner she sat, fell like bars across her. She watched them on her arm curiously, thinking of locks and keys and rooms with no windows. In front of her, on the huge rocks that rose like a miniature mountain in the middle of the yard, the moss had dried and turned brown. If she had felt like it, she could have filled a coffee can with water and pouring it over a section of the tight brown moss, watched it turn green before her eyes. But things were different today, and she didn't feel like it. She threw the two yellow leaves over the fence where they fell quietly on the wooden sidewalk. She watched them for a long time but they didn't even quiver. Why didn't you go with them? They didn't ask me. Don't lie. She called you. I was afraid I would cry. You hid. They won't like that. But I came back. I'm here now. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. You should have gone with them. Stupid to sit here. It's cold. Not true. If she didn't move it wasn't so cold. The sun was full of the illusion of warmth, bouncing its rays off the shingled wall of the house, breaking into dancing, sparkling patterns of light under the mulberry trees where leaves kept falling. It was a beautiful day. She felt like screaming or biting herself to keep from making more words in her mind and spoiling what was around her. But at the same time she knew it was stupid to just sit here. There were goose bumps all up and down her arms because of the church bell that kept ringing and ring ing. If she got up and walked off, maybe she could get far enough away so she wouldn't have to hear it anymore. There was a noise in the house of her neighbor and she looked up. What it might be, she could not guess because as far as she knew, she was alone. Those who had cars had piled them to the ceiling with their belongings and driven off with cans strapped to their running boards and canvas bundles tied to the tops.
EVERYDAY POLITICS OF SCHOOL CHOICE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY

School choice is promoted as one strategy to improve educational outcomes for African Americans. Key themes in Black school choice politics are empowerment, control, and agency. Using qualitative interviews with seventy-seven poor and working-class Black parents in Chicago, this article asks: How well do the themes of empowerment, agency, and control characterize the experiences of low-income African American parents tasked with putting their children in schools? Also, what kind of political positions emerge from parents’ everyday experiences given the ubiquitous language of school choice? I find that in their own recounting parents focused on finding a quality school while experiencing numerous barriers to accessing such schools; parents expressed experiential knowledge of being chosen, rather than choosing; and parents highlighted the opacity, uncertainty, and burden of choice, even when they participated in it quite heartily. I argue that their stories convey limited and weak empowerment, limited individual agency, and no control. Their perspectives conjure policy frameworks and political ideologies that require a discussion of entitlements and provision, rather than choice.
Energy Production and Metabolism

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses energy production and metabolism. It is mentioned that the pathways that generate energy are the degradative, or catabolic, pathways. The pathways that store energy are the synthetic, or anabolic, pathways. The chapter discusses the following topics: protein enzymes, enzyme kinetics, enzyme inhibitors, metabolic pathways, Mitchell chemiosmotic hypothesis, food and energy, basic pathways that needs to be regulated, energy forms revisited, and cori cycle. The discussion under need for regulation of basic pathways includes the regulatory principles of synthesis versus degradation, hormone binding to cells, regulation of glycogen metabolism, cAMP/phosphorylation cascade, tissue-specific regulation, fit in of fat storage, and a starving situation. All living organisms require energy, which is obtained from the sun and the food that is ingested. The food that is consumed is degraded into smaller components by the action of specific protein molecules in the digestive tract known as enzymes. The rate at which enzymes work is a function of binding to the substrate, and this parameter can be approximated by a kinetic parameter called the Michaelis constant, Km. The fastest rate at which the enzyme can produce its product is known as the maximal velocity. Regulated enzymes display a complex kinetic picture, which is best characterized by sigmoidal kinetics. Metabolism consists of the chemical conversions used in living cells to generate energy. There are two primary energy storage forms, glycogen (carbohydrate-based) and triacylglycerol (fatty-acid-based). Multiple levels of regulation are evident, and include regulation of gene transcription, allosteric regulation of enzyme activity, and covalent modification of specific enzymes. Tissue-specific isozymes, which catalyze the same reaction, but are subject to different regulatory controls, are also important for providing tissue specificity in the regulatory process. Generally, pathways involved in biosynthesis are reciprocally regulated from those that catalyze the degradation of their products. Thus, under conditions of fatty acid and glycogen biosynthesis, the pathways of fatty acid degradation and glycogen degradation are inhibited. By maintaining these rules the metabolic pathways are directed to accomplish their goals with a minimum of wasted energy.
The eNOS T786C mutation, Prinzmetal's Variant Angina, and amelioration of angina by l-arginine in 59 patients with intractable angina despite calcium channel blocker–nitrate therapy

Abstract Background Despite calcium channel blockers — long acting nitrates (CaCH-LAN), ~20% of patients with Prinzmetal's Variant Angina (PVA) retain intractable angina. The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) T-786C polymorphism, more common in PVA than normal subjects, decreases the conversion of l-arginine to nitric oxide (NO), promoting coronary artery spasm (CAS)-angina. Methods PCR measures for the eNOS T-786C polymorphism were done in 59 PVA patients with intractable angina despite CaCH-LAN. Using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ), effects of 9g l-arginine/day were prospectively assessed in 28 patients with ≥3 visits, pre-treatment entry and ≥2 follow-ups at 1 and 5months, and in 31 additional patients with 2 visits, entry and 7.7months on l-arginine. This allowed an assessment of response to l-arginine in 59 patients at entry and 12months later (last follow-up). Results In the cohort of 59 patients, 47% of eNOS alleles were mutant vs. 20% in 72 normal controls, p p ≤.02 for all) and 5months ( p ≤.03 for all) on l-arginine treatment, and improved in the 59 patients after 12months on l-arginine, p ≤.002 for all. The eNOS mutation was a significant positive independent determinant of reduction in anginal symptoms, p =.0002. Patients hetero- and homozygous for the eNOS mutation had greater improvement in anginal symptoms. Conclusions In patients with intractable angina despite CaCH-LAN, the eNOS T-786C mutation appears to facilitate CAS via reduced NO production, a condition susceptible to treatment with l-arginine.
NasFED Proteins Mediate Assimilatory Nitrate and Nitrite Transport in Klebsiella oxytoca(pneumoniae) M5al

Klebsiella oxytoca can use nitrate and nitrite as sole nitrogen sources. The enzymes required for nitrate and nitrite assimilation are encoded by the nasFEDCBA operon. We report here the complete nasFED sequence. Sequence comparisons indicate that the nasFED genes encode components of a conventional periplasmic binding protein-dependent transport system consisting of a periplasmic binding protein (NasF), a homodimeric intrinsic membrane protein (NasE), and a homodimeric ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein (NasD). The NasF protein and the related NrtA and CmpA proteins of cyanobacteria contain leader (signal) sequences with the double-arginine motif that is hypothesized to direct prefolded proteins to an alternate protein export pathway. The NasE protein and the related NrtB and CmpB proteins of cyanobacteria contain unusual variants of the EAA loop sequence that defines membrane-intrinsic proteins of ABC transporters. To characterize nitrate and nitrite transport, we constructed in-frame nonpolar deletions of the chromosomal nasFED genes. Growth tests coupled with nitrate and nitrite uptake assays revealed that the nasFED genes are essential for nitrate transport and participate in nitrite transport as well. Interestingly, the delta nasF strain exhibited leaky phenotypes, particularly at elevated nitrate concentrations, suggesting that the NasED proteins are not fully dependent on the NasF protein.
Power market clearing price prediction and confidence interval estimation with fast neural network learning

Market clearing prices (MCPs) play an important role in a deregulated power market, and good MCP prediction and interval estimation will help utilities and independent power producers submit effective bids with low risks in this uncertain market. Since MCP is a nonstationary process, an adaptive algorithm with fast convergence is important. A common method for MCP prediction is neural networks, and multilayer perceptron networks (MLP) is one of the widely used networks. Backpropagation (BP) is a popular learning method for MLP, while BP suffers from slow convergence. This paper presents an integrated learning and interval estimation algorithm for MCP prediction. In the extended Kalman filter (EKF) framework, confidence interval is a natural by-product of EKF, and is integrated with learning process to improve learning results in addition to fast convergence. Since Kalman filter (KF) is a minimum variance estimator for linear system, EKF framework helps to provide a smaller confidence interval, which is preferred in risk management. Testing results on New England MCP prediction show the integrated learning and confidence interval algorithm provides better prediction than BP algorithm and the confidence interval is smaller with reasonable coverage than a Bayesian inference-based interval estimation method.
Recommendation Letters: Whose Voices Do They Represent?

Abstract A content analysis of 266 recommendation letters showed that males are more often associated with so-called male stereotype traits, while females are more often associated with so-called female stereotype traits. This outcome follows Gilligan's (1982) different voice theory: There are gender-based differences in values. It is argued that male and female voices should be merged to strengthen social work education and the profession and that an artificial male-female dichotomy should not set up.
Sensitive ${\rm NH}_{3}{\rm OH}$ and HCl Gas Sensors Using Self-Aligned and Self-Welded Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

We present the design and fabrication of sensitive and responsive and HCl sensors based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The sensors consisted of self-aligned and self-welded MWCNT bridges grown between 18 mum-high silicon posts with 2-6 mum gaps using metal-catalyzed chemical vapor deposition technique (CVD). The 5-10 MWCNTs spanning the gap showed excellent ohmic electrical contacts and mechanical bonding strengths in excess of 0.1 muN/CNT. The conductivity of the MWCNTs changes as oxidizing and reducing gases are physically adsorbed on their large surface-to-volume ratio structures. Since carbon atoms in CNTs do not have any dangling bonds, the interaction between CNTs and gas molecules does not lead to chemical reactions and the process is reversible. Provided that the starting MWCNTs have high resistivity, they have nearly exponential sensitivity in detecting gases and owing to their very small volume and reversible interaction with gases, they can have a very fast response time. In our experiment, upon exposure to ammonia and hydrochloric gases at room temperature, the electrical conductivity of the self-welded carbon nanotube bridges exhibited a dramatic change. The growth process, test results, and the gas sensitivities will be discussed.
Hepatoselectivity of statins: Design and synthesis of 4-sulfamoyl pyrroles as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

Abstract 4-Sulfamoyl pyrroles were designed as novel hepatoselective HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) to reduce myalgia, a statin-induced adverse effect. The compounds were prepared via a [3 + 2] cycloaddition of a Munchnone with a sulfonamide-substituted alkyne. We identified compounds with greater selectivity for hepatocytes compared to L6-myocytes than rosuvastatin and atorvastatin. There was an inverse correlation of myocyte potencies and C log P values. A number of analogs were effective at reducing cholesterol in acute and chronic in vivo models but they lacked sufficient chronic in vivo activity to warrant further development.
Low-complexity image coding technique using visual patterns

A visual pattern-based image compression technique is presented, in which 4 X 4 image blocks are classified in perceptually significant `shade' and `edge' classes. The proposed technique attempts to make use of neighboring blocks to encode a shade or an edge block by exploiting the Human Visual System characteristics. To reduce correlation present in the shade regions of an image, the mean intensity of a shade block is predicted from the neighboring shade blocks, and the error mean is computed. The error mean of a block is then encoded by choosing an appropriate quantizer based on its predicted mean. The quantizer has been designed after a careful study of the distribution of the error mean of shade blocks in test images, based on Weber's law, to maximize the compression ratio without introducing any visible error. Higher dimension shade blocks (8 X 8 and 16 X 16) are also formed, by merging adjacent shade blocks which further reduces the inter-block correlation. An edge block is assumed to contain two uniform intensity regions (low and high intensity) separated by a transition region. Hence, an edge block can be encoded by coding its edge pattern, low or high intensity and gradient. In order to reduce the inter-block correlation, the edge pattern and mean intensity (low or high) are predicted. The mean intensity of error is encoded by using an appropriate quantizer. Therefore, this technique achieves higher compression ratios, as compared to other visual pattern- based techniques, at very low computational complexity.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Diet‐induced obesity alters skeletal muscle fiber types of male but not female mice

Skeletal muscles are highly plastic tissues capable dramatic remodeling in response to use, disuse, disease, and other factors. Growing evidence suggests that adipose tissues exert significant effects on the basic fiber-type composition of skeletal muscles. In the current study, we investigated the long-term effects of a high-fat diet and subsequent obesity on the muscle fiber types in C57 BLK/6J mice. Litters of mice were randomly assigned to either a high-fat diet or a control group at the time of weaning, and were maintained on this diet for approximately 1 year. Single fibers were harvested from the soleus and plantaris muscles, and fiber types were determined using SDS-PAGE. The high-fat diet mice were significantly heavier than the control mice (39.17 ± 2.7 g vs. 56.87 ± 3.4 g; P < 0.0003), but muscle masses were not different. In male mice, the high-fat diet was associated with a significantly lower proportion of slow, type I fibers in the soleus muscle (40.4 ± 3.5% vs. 29.33 ± 2.6%; P < 0.0165). Moreover, the proportion of type I fibers in the soleus of male mice was inversely proportional to the relative fatness of the male mice (P < 0.003; r (2) = 0.65), but no association was observed in female mice. In male mice, the decline in type I fibers was correlated with an increase in type I/IIA hybrid fibers, suggesting that the type I fibers were transformed primarily into these hybrids. The reported trends indicate that type I fibers are most susceptible to the effects of obesity, and that these fiber-type changes can be sex specific.
SU‐E‐T‐369: Comparison of Monte Carlo Calculations Around An Intracavitary Brachytherapy CT‐MR Compatible Fletcher Applicator with Radiochromic Film

Purpose: To calculate the dose distribution with Monte Carlo (MC) around an intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) ovoid type applicator and compare these calculations with radiochromic film (RCF) measurements acquired in a liquid water phantom. Methods: Detailed physical measurements of a CT‐MR compatible Fletcher ovoid applicator (Nucletron Co.) were performed in‐house to facilitate construction of a MC model of the device. MC calculations were simulated utilizing MCNPX version 2.7.b of a microSelectron version 2 (mHDR v2) Ir‐192 source (Nucletron Co.) at multiple dwell‐positions within a single ovoid. Oncentra brachytherapytreatment planning system (Nucletron Co.) was used to determine the dwell‐time required for three active dwell‐positions to deliver 10 Gy to a prescription point taken as the center of each film. RCF measurements were performed in two perpendicular planes, (a) 1 cm beyond the distal end and (b) 3.3 cm from, and parallel to, the long axis of the ovoid. RCF measurements were performed in a liquid water phantom. The ovoid, liquid water phantom, and RCF were physically aligned using in‐room patient setup lasers. The MC model application was confirmed superimposing simulated dose distributions resulting from three active dwell‐positions and comparing with RCF. Results: Brachytherapy measurements could be acquired in a liquid water phantom consistent with AAPM TG‐43 protocol. For both planes, 96% of the absolute simulated and measured dose points agreed within 2% or 2 mm distance‐to‐agreement. Conclusions: The MC model is sufficient to predict measured RCF dose distributions acquired in a liquid water phantom accurately.
Gain uniformity optimization of SOA-based optical packet switching nodes for performance and scalability improvements

A design methodology is proposed that can potentially provide effective bandwidth and scalability improvements to optical packet switching environments utilizing semiconductor optical amplifiers as broadcast-and-select switching elements. The design achieves added uniformity in the nodal gain-loss spectrum. The methodology is tested and verified using a commercial device with measurements performed on the gain, noise figure, optical signal-to-noise ratio, and power penalty.
Technical Note: Properties of the Cubic Production Function

In the interest of improving the understanding of both students and practitioners of technical economics of some fundamental aspects of the subject, this note provides a clarification of the isoquant properties of the two-input cubic production function. Two alternatives to the “usual” cubic production function are proposed herein: the “additive” and the “multiplicative.” In contrast to the usual function, both of these alternatives possess the intuitively expected isoquant properties: the three-dimensional surface of the function is a “hill” or “protuberance” with a unique peak, and the corresponding family of isoquants is a set of closed oblongs reminiscent of a contour map.
The proteolytic enzymes of Proteus vulgaris.

The production and purification of the proteolytic enzymes of Proteus vulgaris are discussed. A preparation containing two proteolytic enzymes and an inactive component was obtained. The active fraction consists of a relatively heat-stable enzyme and a heat-labile enzyme. The kinetics of these two enzmes is reported.
Influence of unsteady aerodynamics on rotor blade aeroelastic stability and response

The paper describes the incorporation of finite-state, time-domain aerodynamics in a flap-lag-torsional aeroelastic stability and response analysis in forward flight. Improvements to a previous formulation which eliminate spurious singularities are introduced. The methodology for solving the aeroelastic stability and response problems with augmented states, in the time domain, is presented using an implicit formulation. Results illustrating the aeroelastic behaviour of soft and stiff in-plane hingeless rotor blades in forward flight are presented to show the sensitivity of both the stability and response problems to time-domain unsteady aerodynamics.
A new argument for consequentialism? A reply to Sinnott-Armstrong

Walter Sinnott-Armstrong has apprised us of an important feature of reasons for action in general and of moral reasons in particular.1 He argues that deontology cannot account for this phenomenon, whereas a version of consequentialism can. If he is right, this constitutes a powerful argument for consequentialism. I shall argue that deontology, particularly when understood as he understands it, can account for the phenomenon as well as consequentialism can.
Intentional Mistuning Design Space Reduction Based on Vibration Energy Flow in Bladed Disks

Intentional mistuning is the deliberate incorporation of blade-to-blade parameter variations in the nominal design of a bladed disk. Previous studies have shown that this is a promising strategy for mitigating the damaging effects of unintended, random mistuning. In this paper, the mechanisms of intentional mistuning are studied by investigating the relation between blade response and vibration energy flow in lumped parameter models. Based on key observations from the energy flow analysis, a few design guidelines are proposed that drastically reduce the design space for intentional mistuning patterns. Thus, an optimization may be performed on the reduced design space or skipped altogether, yielding dramatic reductions in computational costs. The guidelines are validated by extensive Monte Carlo simulations for the lumped parameter models as well as for a finite-element-based reduced-order model of an industrial rotor. It is shown that the reduced design space includes optimal or near-optimal intentional mistuning patterns.© 2004 ASME
Determination of Aluminized Solid Propellant Admittances by the Impedance Tube Method

The adaptation of the impedance tube technique in the measurement of the admittances and response functions of aluminized solid propellants is described. These quantities are needed for combustion stability analysis of aluminized solid rocket motors. To determine the acoustic energy gains and losses in the impedance tube, the acoustic pressures (amplitude and phase) are measured in the tube during the quasisteady burn period of a test through a distance covering two standing wave pressure minima. The measured data are then input into a data reduction computer program that is based upon the solution of the impedance tube wave equations and is capable of the simultaneous determination of the propellant admittance and the acoustic energy losses in the gas phase. Results obtained in a series of tests conducted with UTP-3001 and UTP-19360 aluminized propellants are presented. The paper demonstrates that the data measured in tests conducted with aluminized propellants and, hence, the determined propellant properties are more accurate than data measured in tests with nonaluminized propellants. Excellent agreement is demonstrated between the predicted and measured impedance tube wave structures. Finally, the results obtained by this method are utilized to determine the true role of aluminized solid propellants in the damping of combustion instabilities inside the rocket motor.
Continuing Development of PRO-LOCA for the Prediction of Break Probabilities for Loss-of-Coolant Accidents

As part of a possible risk-informed revision of the design-basis break size requirements for operating commercial nuclear power plants as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the NRC began development of a probabilistic piping fracture mechanics code called PRO-LOCA. The initial development of this code and its background was published at a prior PVP conference. Since that time, the development of the PRO-LOCA code has continued through an international group program entitled Maximizing Enhancements in Risk Informed Technology (MERIT). The MERIT program includes participation from Canada, Korea, Sweden, UK, and the US (NRC and EPRI). The PRO-LOCA code, which aides in predicting piping break frequencies as a function of break size, incorporates many enhancements in technology since some of the earlier probabilistic codes (e.g., PRAISE) were developed. These enhancements include improved crack stability analyses, leak rate models, crack initiation and growth models, and material property data. In addition, degradation mechanisms such as primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) for dissimilar welds in pressurized water reactors (PWRs) are included in the PRO-LOCA code. This paper reviews the ongoing development of the PRO-LOCA code by giving a brief description of the recent updates made to the models embedded in the code. Some of these capabilities include improvements to crack initiation and growth models, welding residual stress distribution inputs, the addition of weld overlays, past and future inspections, the addition of importance sampling, and bootstrap methods for predicting confidence limits on output. The current version of the PRO-LOCA code was used for a sensitivity analyses in order to demonstrate the effects of welding residual stress uncertainty on the probability of leak and rupture. Plans for the continuing development of the PRO-LOCA code conclude this paper.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A biologically compatible implantable ultrasonic marker

An implantable passive ultrasonic marker has been developed which can be detected with a conventional pulse echo imaging system. The marker consists of a planar array of 1/16 in. diameter stainless steel (316L) spheres and produces a distinct and characteristic reflection signature due to reverbation within the spheres. The marker has undergone both in vitro and in vivo tests and is biologically compatible for chronic implantation. It is consistently detectable at depths up to 10 cm from the transducer. An application to the detection of flow conditions in aortocoronary bypass grafts is suggested.
Asymmetries in the perception of speech production errors

Abstract Psycholinguistic research concerned with the mental reality of linguistic units has long relied on speech error data which are traditionally collected by means of impressionistic transcription. Evaluation of these data has been taken to support the view that in word form encoding, the most common form of speech error originates from a categorical mis-selection that shifts a segment to a wrong position within a prosodic ‘frame.’ Asymmetric distributions in such segmental speech errors have been used to argue for coronal underspecification. However, several relatively recent studies investigating speech errors instrumentally have challenged these assumptions by showing that speech errors are not confined to a categorical position-exchange of segmental units. Specifically it has been shown that the gestures that compose a segment may intrude individually and show up in an incorrect temporal position with variable articulatory magnitude. The overall observed bias for gestural intrusion as opposed to reduction has the consequence that often two gestures (one appropriate, one intruding) are produced simultaneously. The current study tests the perceptual consequences of these phonologically ill-formed errors by presenting listeners with utterances collected in an EMMA speech error experiment. Results indicate that biases in the perception of the ill-formed errors may be the source of asymmetries in error distributions as they have been observed in speech error corpora. Specifically claims about coronal underspecification that have been made on the basis of data collected through transcription are not supported by our study.
Heat capacity and thermal conductivity considerations for coal particles during the early stages of rapid heating

Abstract Heating and cooling transients for a number of individual coal particles in the 100-μm size range were measured under rapid heating conditions (10 4 –10 5 K/s heating rate). In addition to temperature measurements, each particle was fully characterized with respect to external surface area, volume, mass, and density prior to heating. Measured temperatures were compared with model predictions and a sensitivity analysis was performed to critically evaluate model assumptions regarding particle thermal properties. Simulations using temperature-dependent heat capacity and thermal conductivity correlations routinely applied to coal severely under predicted the particle temperature rise during the early stages of heating. Simulations using constant room temperature values for heat capacity and thermal conductivity showed excellent agreement with measurements during the early stages of heating. Increases in coal heat capacity and thermal conductivity reported in the literature are observed under slow heating conditions and result from bond breaking and structural changes which lead to an increase in vibrational modes of freedom in the coal structure. Results of the present study suggest that under rapid heating conditions the coal structure is frozen and that these vibrational modes only become accessible at higher temperatures or longer soak times. These considerations are important if one desires to accurately model the combustion behavior of coals.
False Alarms and Sparse Change Segment Detection by Using a CUSUM Procedure

Abstract Motivated by detecting and identifying sparse change segments in the mean process for a long independent normal sequence, the conditional mean and variance of the asymptotic normal pivot formed by the postchange mean estimator after a false alarm by using a cumulative sum procedure are derived. By treating the unconditional distribution for the postchange mean estimator as a mixture of the conditional distributions after true and false alarms, a sequential method is proposed for detecting and identifying sparse change segments in the mean process. An example from the Dow Jones Industrial Average index is used for illustration.
Binding Selectivity of Dihapto-Coordinated Olefins, Ketones, and Aldehydes Utilizing the Asymmetric π-Basic Metal Fragment {TpRe(CO)(1-methylimidazole)} (Tp = Hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate)

The metal fragment {TpRe(CO)(1-methylimidazole)} (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) forms stable complexes with a variety of arenes and aromatic heterocycles via dihapto coordination. In this study, a series of olefins, ketones, and aldehydes are bound to ascertain the relative steric environment near the stereogenic metal center. Utilizing this information, predictions of the diastereomeric selectivity of η2-aromatic systems can be made.
Characterization of Conductive Thin Films Deposited by Ink Jet Printing

With the advantage of simplicity and low cost, ink jet printing has the potential to replace the traditional chemical and physical deposition technology in thin film fabrication. In this work, silver conductive thin films are deposited on glass and polyimide substrates by ink jet printing, where some major characteristics of the printed thin films are investigated and compared to those deposited by sputtering. The micro texture and residual stresses of the thin films are measured with X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Using thin film scratch tester, the adhesion of thin films deposited by both ink jet printing and sputtering is studied. Further observations on electric and optical performance by using visible wavelength photospectrometry, four-point probe, and surface profiler are also discussed. The result shows that the micro texture of the printed thin film behaves as good as the sputtered thin film. Furthermore, the micro scratch result illustrates that the adhesion of the printed thin film is even better than the sputtered thin film. It emphasizes that, after certain baking process, the ink jet printing has the possibility to replace sputtering in thin film deposition, especially for the polymer substrates.
Citing statements: Computer recognition and use to improve retrieval

Abstract Documents in computer-readable form can be used to provide information about other documents, i.e. those they cite. To do this efficiently requires procedures for computer recognition of citing statements. This is not easy, especially for multi-sentence citing statements. Computer recognition procedures have been developed which are accurate to the following extent: 73% of the words in statements selected by computer procedures as being citing statements are words which are correctly attributable to the corresponding documents. The retrieval effectiveness of computer-recognized citing statements was tested in the following way. First, for eight retrieval requests in inorganiic chemistry, average recall by search of Chemical Abstracts Service indexing and Chemical Abstracts abstract text words was found to be 50%. Words from citing statements referring to the papers to be retrieved were then added to the index terms and abstract words as additional access points, and searching was repeated. Average recall increased to 70%. Only words from citing statements published within a year of the cited papers were used. The retrieval effect of citing statement words alone (published within a year) without index or abstract terms was the following: average recall was 40%. When just the words of the titles of the cited papers were added to those citing statement words, average recall increased to 50%.
Photooxidation of metal-bound thiolates: reactivity of sulfur containing peroxidic intermediates.

A variety of reactions of singlet oxygen with metal-bound thiolates are described, and contrasted with the photooxidation of organic sulfides. Superficially, these two processes appear to involve similar mechanisms, but there are important differences: unlike the photooxidation of organic sulfides, the rate of the initial reaction of metal-thiolates with singlet oxygen (k t) appears to be affected by protic solvents and acids. The nucleophilicity of the thiolate moiety is reduced by addition of acids or in protic solvents, leading to significantly lower k t values. The primary intermediate in the photooxidation of organic sulfides is a nucleophilic persulfoxide, which can be stabilized by protic solvents or by addition of acid. However, the primary intermediate in the photooxidation of metal thiolates cannot be trapped with phosphite, suggesting that it may be less nucleophilic than its organic counterpart. Support for this hypothesis is also derived from the rather modest (compared with organic sulfides)...
Acute increase in lipoprotein lipase following prolonged exercise

Abstract We investigated the acute effects of prolonged exercise on lipoprotein metabolism. Serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and plasma postheparin lipolytic activity were measured in ten well-trained men (ages 21 to 39) the day before and after a 42 km foot race. LDL cholesterol decreased by 10% (113 ± 31 to 103 ± 32 mg/dL, P P P P 2 subfraction (37 ± 19 mg/dL, P
The gatekeeper model is inefficient for the delivery of dermatologic services

Abstract Background: Gatekeeper-paradigm managed care systems may discourage the use of dermatologists in the management of skin conditions by limiting direct access. This may limit the quality of care patients with skin disorders receive and may be an inefficient use of medical resources. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the likelihood that patients with dermatologic conditions who see a primary care provider will be referred to a dermatologist. Methods: Data on the disposition of outpatient visits to primary care physicians for one and only one dermatologic diagnosis were obtained from the 1990-1994 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. These data were used in an econometric model to estimate the likelihood of referral to a dermatologist for an episode of care. Results: Of all visits for a single dermatologic diagnosis, 39% were to primary care physicians. The disposition of referral was more common for these dermatology-related visits than for all office visits to primary care physicians (5.8% vs 4.5%, P Conclusion: The relative difficulty for primary care providers of managing skin problems is reflected by their frequent need to refer patients with common skin problems and by the greater likelihood of referral for skin disorders than for other medical conditions. The high rates of referral per episode of care supports the cost-effectiveness of direct access to dermatologists. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40:426-32.)
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 amplifies the immune response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal infection.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis. Methods Gene array and selective real-time PCR examined MMP expression in the cornea of susceptible (C57BL/6, B6) versus resistant (BALB/c) mice before and after infection; zymography tested enzyme activity for MMP-2 and -9. Clinical score, Langerhans cell (LC), and Neutrophil (PMN) quantitation were done in recombinant (r) MMP-9, antibody neutralized, and MMP-9(-/-) mice. The chemotactic potential of MMP-9 was tested in a Boyden chamber assay; light and transmission microscopy and immunostaining for collagen IV and MMP-9 were used to examine the effects and the source of MMP-9 after infection. ELISA was used to assess IL-1beta and MIP-2 levels. Results Gene array (confirmed by PCR) revealed sixfold more MMP-9, and zymography showed greater enzyme activity in the infected cornea of B6 over BALB/c mice. rMMP-9 injection of BALB/c mice enhanced, whereas MMP-9 antibody neutralization in B6 mice and its absence in MMP-9(-/-) mice decreased corneal disease. MMP-9(-/-) and antibody neutralized mice had fewer LCs in cornea; rMMP-9-treated mice had more. A myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay showed a similar pattern for PMN. MMP-9 was not chemotactic for LC or PMN. The basement membrane was more intact in MMP-9(-/-) over wild-type infected mice and correlated with staining for collagen IV; PMN was a source of MMP-9. IL-1beta and MIP-2 were increased in rMMP-9 but decreased in MMP-9 antibody neutralized and MMP-9(-/-) over control groups. Conclusions MMP-9 regulates immune function in cornea by proteolysis, potentiating P. aeruginosa keratitis by degrading collagen IV and upregulating chemotactic cytokines/chemokines IL-1beta and MIP-2.
Effects of a “boredom” treatment on children’s simple RT performance

First-graders were given alternating blocks of trials on a picture-viewing and a simple RT task. Half the Ss were “bored” during picture viewing via repeated exposure to a simple geometric form; the remaining Ss viewed nonrepeated colored pictures of high interest value. Bored girls had significantly slower travel speeds on the RT task than did non-bored girls. For boys, a difference of only slightly lesser magnitude, but in the opposite direction and nonsignificant, was obtained.
Monitoring structural changes in nucleic acids with single residue spatial and millisecond time resolution by quantitative hydroxyl radical footprinting.

Monitoring structural changes in nucleic acids with single residue spatial and millisecond time resolution by quantitative hydroxyl radical footprinting
Orbital evolution of low-mass X-ray binaries due to radiation driven mass transfer

A LOW-MASS X-ray binary (LMXB) consists of a compact star, probably a neutron star, accreting mass from a low-mass (≤ M⊙) companion via an accretion disk. Of ∼100 known LMXBs in the Galaxy, only four have stable enough X-ray modulations to have allowed the reliable determination of orbital period changes. For these four LMXBs, all of which have Porb≤5.6h, the measured values1–4 of P⊙orb/Porb disagree markedly with what would be expected for orbital evolution driven by angular momentum loss due to gravitational radiation, possibly supplemented by magnetic braking; the empirically derived timescale for orbital evolution is ∼100 times less than expected. On the assumption that the observed period changes are secular, and not due to some longer-term periodic change, I argue here that the observed behaviour of LMXBs can be explained as the result of mass loss from the companion star caused by irradiation of the secondary star and accretion disk by the primary5. The typical lifetime of a radiation-driven LMXB is expected to be ∼106–107yr. This reduced evolutionary timescale can resolve the statistical discrepancy between the number of binary millisecond pulsars and of their presumed LMXB progenitors if about half of all the LMXBs are radiation-driven5–7.
Maximizing models of legislative choice

A number of recent studies have reported estimates of single equation and simultaneous equations models of the decisions of state legislatures. These investigations have been ‘economic’ ones, in the sense that considerations of the relative costs and benefits to some self-interested person or group capable of affecting legislative outcomes have motivated the choice of explanatory variables. Thus, perhaps implicitly, these studies have assumed utility maximization by some critical agent(s) in the political marketplace. This essay draws attention to the implications of this maximizing assumption for the proper specification and estimation of the associated empirical models.
Laparoscopic Excision of a Seminal Vesicle Cyst in a Child

Seminal vesicle cyst is an exceedingly rare lesion, manifesting in less than 0.005% of the population.1 Most seminal vesicle cysts are small and asymptomatic. However, when symptoms occur it is usually during the early sexually active period (ie in the second and third decades of life in men).2 Symptoms at presentation may include irritative lower urinary tract problems, abdominal and perineal pain, lower abdominal mass, hemospermia and, rarely, hematuria. The seminal vesicle cyst is often associated with other urological anomalies, including renal agenesis, renal dysplasia and ureteral ectopia.3 Surgical management consists of transrectal aspiration, transurethral unroofing, transurethral resection of the ejaculatory duct, transurethral endoscopic examination and aspiration or open surgical excision. 4–6 The open surgical approach is considered the definitive form of treatment. However, it can be technically challenging and morbid. Recently, the laparoscopic approach has had a significant impact on the management of several urological disorders, including seminal vesicle cysts.7–9 We report the tenth case, and only the second known pediatric case, of a laparoscopic seminal vesicle cyst excision. In this case dissection of the cyst was facilitated by filling the cyst with indigo carmine cystoscopically immediately before laparoscopic excision. CASE REPORT A 7-year-old boy presented elsewhere with a 2-week history of suprapubic pain and dysuria. Initial antibiotic therapy for a presumed urinary tract infection was ineffective. Right testicular swelling subsequently developed and the patient was referred to a urologist. He underwent scrotal exploration, which identified only right epididymitis. Additional antibiotic therapy was given but the symptoms failed to resolve. He was referred to our institution with persistent orchitis. Physical examination revealed an unremarkable abdomen. Scrotal examination demonstrated a mildly enlarged and firm right testicle that was exquisitely tender on palpation. The right epididymis was also enlarged and tender but the spermatic cord was unremarkable. The rest of the examination did not show any other abnormalities. Abdominal, pelvic and scrotal ultrasound revealed an anechoic lesion posterior to the bladder and a mildly enlarged right epididymis along with an absent right kidney. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the absence of the right kidney and the presence of a pelvic cyst located to the right of the midline, consistent with a seminal vesicle cyst (fig. 1). Laparoscopic excision of the seminal vesicle cyst was elected. After induction of general anesthesia cystoscopy was performed with an 11Fr pediatric cystoscope. Examination of the bladder demonstrated elevation of the trigone and bladder base due to the seminal vesicle cyst. The left ureteral orifice was found in an orthotopic position. However, the right ureteral orifice and hemitrigone were absent. The posterior urethra was unremarkable. The ejaculatory duct was cannulated without difficulty using a 75 cm 3Fr ureteral
“Quantum physics and vedanta”: A perspective from Bernard D'Espagnat's scientific realism

Abstract. In the last decades, several rapprochements have been made between quantum physics and the Advaita Vedānta (AV) school of Hinduism. Theoretical issues such as the role of the observer in measurement and physical interconnectedness have been associated with tenets of AV, generating various critical responses. In this study, I propose to address this encounter in the light of recent works on philosophical implications of quantum physics by the physicist and philosopher of science Bernard d’Espagnat.