cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A review of the literature on the accuracy, strengths, and limitations of visual, thoracic impedance, and electrocardiographic methods used to measure respiratory rate in hospitalized patients.

Author(s): Bawua, Linda K; Miaskowski, Christine; Hu, Xiao; Rodway, George W; Pelter, Michele M | Abstract: BackgroundRespiratory rate (RR) is one of the most important indicators of a patient's health. In critically ill patients, unrecognized changes in RR are associated with poorer outcomes. Visual assessment (VA), impedance pneumography (IP), and electrocardiographic-derived respiration (EDR) are the three most commonly used methods to assess RR. While VA and IP are widely used in hospitals, the EDR method has not been validated for use in hospitalized patients. Additionally, little is known about their accuracy compared with one another. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare the accuracy, strengths, and limitations of VA of RR to two methods that use physiologic data, namely IP and EDR.MethodsA systematic review of the literature was undertaken using prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each of the studies was evaluated using standardized criteria.ResultsFull manuscripts for 23nstudies were reviewed, and four studies were included in this review. Three studies compared VA to IP and one study compared VA to EDR. In terms of accuracy, when Bland-Altman analyses were performed, the upper and lower levels of agreement were extremely poor for both the VA and IP and VA and EDR comparisons.ConclusionGiven the paucity of research and the fact that no studies have compared all three methods, no definitive conclusions can be drawn about the accuracy of these three methods. The clinical importance of accurate assessment of RR warrants new research with rigorous designs to determine the accuracy, and clinically meaningful levels of agreement of these methods.
Projective Dimensions of Ideals of Prufer Domains

A Prufer domain has all of its finitely generated ideals projective. Countably but not finitely generated ideals must be of projective dimension 1. A standard argument due to Auslander gives an upper bound for the projective dimension of an ideal I. If I is Nk-generated, then I has projective dimension ≆ = k+1. Here we look at how one might get the reverse inequality.
Chapter 35 The frontal lobes

The frontal lobes occupy an exalted position in neuroscience. The largest and most recently evolved of the cerebrum's four lobes, these regions have long been regarded as harboring unique capacities most specific to the human mind. Understanding has been steadily developed, but a unitary function that captures the role of the frontal lobes has proven elusive. In antiquity, Hippocrates and Galen speculated that mental activities were located in the brain, and in the Renaissance, Leonardo and Vesalius made important advances in brain neuroanatomy. The 17th century witnessed Willis recognizing frontal brain regions, and in the 18th, Swedenborg first associated these areas with intellect. Defined neuroanatomically by Chaussier in 1807, the frontal lobes were soon assigned higher faculties by Gall and Spurzheim, and later, the case of Phineas Gage and the work of Broca clarified comportmental and linguistic dimensions of frontal lobe function. In the 20th century, progress came with Luria's observations of frontal lobe injuries and from the psychosurgery era, followed by contributions of behavioral neurology, neuroimaging, and neuroanatomy, which helped delineate frontal regions, circuits, and networks relevant to specific cognitive and emotional operations. Today, a host of important societal implications merit attention as neuroscientific investigation continues to enrich knowledge of the frontal lobes by identifying the basis of singular human behaviors.
Atrial fibrillation and incident myocardial infarction in the elderly.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been shown to be independently associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in a predominantly middle-aged population; however, this association has not been examined in older populations. Hypothesis AF is associated with MI in older adults. Methods A total of 4608 participants (85% white, 40% male) from the Cardiovascular Health Study without evidence of baseline coronary heart disease were included in this analysis. AF cases were identified during the yearly study electrocardiogram, a self-reported history of a physician diagnosis, or by hospitalization data. Incident MI was identified using medical records with local and central adjudication. Cox regression was used to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between AF and incident MI. Results A total of 434 (9.4%) participants had evidence of AF before incident MI. Over a median follow-up of 12.2 years, a total of 797 (17.3%) participants developed MI. In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis adjusted for socio-demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and potential confounders, AF was associated with an increased risk of MI (HR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.4-2.2). A significant interaction was detected by race, with black (HR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.7-5.6) AF participants having an increased risk of MI compared with whites (HR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.1; P interaction = 0.030). Conclusions AF is associated with an increased risk of MI in a population of older adults.
Increasing TWTA multi-carrier saturated power with limiters and linearizers

TWTA transmission of multi-carrier signals is becoming increasingly common. Frequently, system linearity requirements allow multi-carrier operation of a TWTA at or near saturation. This is often the case when the TWTA is linearized. This paper investigates the relationship between single carrier and multi-carrier saturation. It is shown that by using a limiter-linearizer combination, TWTA 2-carrier saturated power, can be increased by more than 1 dB and TWTA multi-carrier power (/spl ges/4) by more than 2 dB.
Inhibition of uterine contractility in labor

Abstract Uterine contractility was recorded by the direct electronic method in 4 groups of 12 women in labor, in order to study the inhibitory effect of: (1) pregnenolone sulfate, precursor of placental progesterone, expected to block the sensitivity of the myometrial cell; (2) ethanol, known to inhibit the release of oxytocin; (3) rapid infusion of 1,000 ml. 5 per cent dextrose, used as the vehicle; and to compare these effects with that of all these factors, acting concomitantly through different mechanisms. Pregnenolone sulfate depressed the frequency of contractions to 67 per cent ± 5.7 ∗ and their activity to 75 per cent ± 8.0. The effect was immediate but transient. The effect of ethanol was delayed but prolonged and more marked (62 per cent ± 6.9 and 69 per cent ± 1.38, respectively). Rapid infusion of 5 per cent dextrose had a slight but prolonged inhibitory effect (93 per cent ± 5.7 and 83.1 per cent ± 4.1), attributed to the Henry-Gauer reflex which blocked oxytocin release. Neither of these treatments affected the intensity of contractions. The most marked synergistic effect was obtained by the combined pregnenolone-ethanol-dextrose treatment. It was immediate like pregnenolone and prolonged like ethanol; it inhibited not only the frequency (63 per cent ± 7.0) and activity (45 per cent ± 6.3) but also the intensity of uterine contractions (72 per cent ±8.6), although the latter effect tended to recover rapidly. Inhibited uterine activity was related to the elevated plasma progesterone level only during the combined treatment, not during other treatments, when inhibited uterine contractility was related to elevated plasma pregnenolone or ethanol levels, while the progesterone level remained unchanged.
Understanding Acid Base Disorders

The concentration of hydrogen ions is regulated in biologic solutions. There are currently 3 recognized approaches to assess changes in acid base status. First is the traditional Henderson-Hasselbalch approach, also called the physiologic approach, which uses the relationship between HCO3(-) and Pco2; the second is the standard base excess approach based on the Van Slyke equation. The third approach is the quantitative or Stewart approach, which uses the strong ion difference and the total weak acids. This article explores the origins of the current concepts framing the existing methods to analyze acid base balance.
A Review of 'Humanitarian Intervention and Legitimacy Wars: Seeking Peace and Justice in the 21st Century'

In his book Humanitarian Intervention and Legitimacy Wars: Seeking Peace and Justice in the 21st Century , Richard Falk argues that, with the growing prevalence of soft power, historical lessons of asymmetric warfare and legitimacy wars must be taken into account. Falk rejects the realist notion that the state is the only rational actor, offering a more constructivist approach that focuses on the norms, culture and morality of the international community. He asserts that humanitarian intervention is on the decline, and legitimacy wars are increasing. Much of this legitimacy is based on international law and its relevance in the international community.
Negative regulation of the human epsilon-globin gene by transcriptional interference: role of an Alu repetitive element.

Abstract The human epsilon-globin gene has a number of alternative transcription initiation sites which correspond with regions of DNase I hypersensitivity upstream of the canonical cap site. Transcripts originating from the promoters located -4.3/-4.5 and -1.48 kilobase pairs (kbp) and -900 and -200 base pairs (bp) upstream of the major epsilon-globin cap site can, at certain stages of erythroid differentiation, extend through the gene and are polyadenylated. The 350-bp PolIII transcripts, originating within the Alu repetitive element -2.2 kbp upstream of the cap site, extend in the opposite direction from the gene, are nonpolyadenylated, nucleus confined, and are detectable only in mature K562 cells or mature embryonic red blood cells where the epsilon-globin major cap site is maximally transcribed. Fragments containing the promoters located between -4.5 and -4.3 kbp upstream of the gene down regulate transcription from the epsilon-globin gene 20- to 30-fold in a transient expression assay in which both erythroid and nonerythroid cell lines were used. This occurs only when the direction of transcription from the -4.3/-4.5-kbp promoters is towards the gene, and we hypothesize that down regulation is caused by transcriptional interference. Fragments containing the Alu repetitive element -2.2 kbp upstream of the gene can overcome down regulation of the epsilon-globin gene by the -4.5-kbp element when interposed in the direct orientation between this element and the epsilon-globin gene.
A phase I study of extrapleural pneumonectomy and intracavitary intraoperative hyperthermic cisplatin with amifostine cytoprotection for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Objective This study was undertaken to determine maximum tolerated dose and toxicity of intraoperative intracavitary hyperthermic cisplatin perfusion with amifostine after extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Methods Patients with mesothelioma were prospectively enrolled. Those with resectable disease received amifostine and 1-hour hyperthermic cisplatin perfusion of ipsilateral hemithorax and abdomen. Morbidity, recurrence, and survival were recorded. Results Forty-two patients were enrolled; 29 underwent resection (operative mortality 7%, 2/29). Median age was 57 years. Eighteen were in pathologic stage I or II; 11 were in stage III. Median hospitalization was 15 days. Common complications were atrial fibrillation (66%, 19 patients), deep venous thrombosis (31%, 9 patients), and grade 3+ renal toxicity (31%, 9 patients). Feasibility was determined. Renal toxicity was unrelated to cisplatin dose, with no maximum tolerated dose determined. Overall median survival was 17 months (resected 20 months, unresected 10 months). Median survivals were 26 months for patients receiving higher cisplatin doses and 16 months for those receiving lower doses ( P = .35). Survival was significantly longer with negative extrapleural nodes (31 vs 14 months, P = .0115) and early stage (all resected 35 months for stage I–II vs 14 months for stage III, P = .0022, epithelial 39 months for stage I–II vs 15 months for stage III, P = .0072). Conclusion Early stage and negative extrapleural lymph nodes were associated with prolonged survival. Single-dose amifostine did not protect adequately against cisplatin-induced renal toxicity. Additional cytoprotective strategies are needed to allow determination of cisplatin maximum tolerated dose.
Contrast column interruption artefact in computed tomography pulmonary angiography

Summary Interruption of the contrast column during inspiration can lead to non-diagnostic CT pulmonary angiograms. The importance of this artefact will increase with more CT studies being performed for pulmonary embolism on multidetector row CT. We describe here an instance of such an artefact and discuss its aetiology.
Can educational policy affect the distribution of earnings?—A quantitative exploration

Abstract The widely held belief that education is an effective policy instrument for affecting the distribution of earnings is examined within a comprehensive framework of the labor market. The structure affords a view of different roles that education might play and concludes that years of schooling combined with other individual characteristics is an important factor, but it is limited. The educational factor is most reliable in determining earnings within occupations. Supplemental policies other than general provision of education, which could serve to provide access among occupations would substantially enhance the overall tractability of policy vis-a-vis the earnings distribution.
The Spitzer science operations system : how well are we really doing?

This paper will describe how the SIRTF Science Operation System has performed since launch, and how the system has been adapted based upon in-flight performance. It will also discuss lessons learned which can be applied to future science operation systems. This work was performed at the California Institute of Technology under contract to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Variation and Association among Postpartum Reproduction and Production Characteristics in Holstein-Friesian Cattle

Summary The effects of sire line and inbreeding were studied on the postpartum intervals to first corpus luteum, to first estrus, and to uterine involution, and the incidence of cystic ovaries in 426 calving intervals of 229 Holstein-Friesian cows. The data were adjusted for the effects of parity and season of calving. The mean lengths of the three intervals were 18.9, 32.4, and 42.3 days, respectively. Cystic ovaries occurred in 16.4% of the calving intervals. The interaction of sire line with system of mating had a significant effect (P Correlations and regressions were calculated among the post-partum variables; calving weight, 90-day body weight loss, 90-day milk production, average 90-day milk fat percentage, interval to first corpus luteum, interval to first estrus, interval to uterine involution, first estrual cycle length, incidence of cystic ovaries, incidence of conception to first service, and incidence of early fetal death at first service. These associations were calculated between cows within sire lines, between calving intervals within cows, and between sire lines. Significant correlations between certain productive and reproductive traits were found, as well as between many of the reproductive traits. The influence of environment and genetics with regard to the origin of these correlations is discussed.
Propaganda analysis and public speaking

(1939). Propaganda analysis and public speaking. The Southern Speech Journal: Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 12-15.
Assessment of global psychiatric categories: The PSI/PSI-2 and the MMPI-2-RF.

The 3 Higher Order (HO) scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form and the 3 core clinical scales of the Psychological Screening Inventory/Psychological Screening Inventory-2 were developed to broadly represent the 3 traditional psychiatric categories of mental disorder: major psychiatric disorder ("psychotic"), general psychological distress ("neurotic"), and significant antisocial characteristics ("character disorder"). The present article reports 2 studies that assessed the validity of test scores from each scale for their intended purpose. Participants included 2 groups of forensic clients (n=138 and 78), college undergraduates (n=100), and previously reported data on larger groups of participants. Validity was supported in 2 ways: high loadings in confirmatory factor models based on the 3 psychiatric categories and medium to large effect sizes in discriminating between relevant disordered groups and normative groups. The tests showed comparable results. Limitations included co-morbidity in some participant groups and the relatively narrow range of psychopathology in undergraduate participants.
Unique virus morphogenesis and cytopathology of a baculovirus (hypertrophy strain) in larva of the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta

Abstract Nuclear polyhedrosis in tracheal cells caused by the hypertrophy strain of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HNPV) has many morphological and developmental features that distinguish it from that caused by the typical strain (TNPV). The most obvious difference is the morphogenic sequence due to the relatively slow virogenic development in HNPV-infected cells, in which are found extensive membranous profiles similar to viral envelopes, electron dense granules, large fibrous bodies, and microtubules. These structures also occur in TNPV-infected cells but are far less abundant and conspicuous. Fibrous bodies found in the cytoplasm and nucleus appear to be morphologically identical. Cellular distortion in a hypertrophied tracheal cell is seen as tearing of mestracheon folds between cells, separation of septate desmosomes, and attenuation in the cellular sheath.
On collective complete integrability according to the method of Thimm

Let G be a Lie group acting in Hamiltonian fashion on a symplectic manifold M with moment map Φ:M → g*. A function of the form ƒ∘Φ where ƒ is a function on g* is called ‘collective’. We obtain necessary conditions on the G action for there to exist enough Poisson commuting functions on g* so that the corresponding collective functions on M form a completely integrable system. For the case G = O(n) or U(n) these conditions are sufficient. This explains Thimm's proof [17] of the complete integrability of the geodesic flow on the real and complex grassmanians. We also discuss related questions in the geometry of the moment map.
The Nature of Nationalism.

Nationalism as we understand it is not older than the second half of the eighteenth century. Its first great manifestation was the French Revolution, which gave the new movement an increased dynamic force. Nationalism had, however, become manifest at the end of the eighteenth century almost simultaneously in a number of widely separated European countries. Its time in the evolution of mankind had arrived, and although the French Revolution was one of the most powerful factors in its intensification and spread, it was not its date of birth. Like all historical movements, nationalism has its roots deep in the past. The conditions which made its emergence possible had matured during centuries before they converged at its formation. These political, economic, and intellectual developments took a long time for their growth and proceeded in the various European countries at different pace. It is impossible to grade them according to their importance or to make one dependent upon the other. All are closely interconnected, each reacting upon the other; and although their growth can be traced separately, their effects and consequences cannot be separated otherwise than in the analysis of the scholar; in life, they are indissolubly intertwined. Nationalism is inconceivable without the ideas of popular sovereignty having preceded-without a complete revision of the position of ruler and ruled, of classes and castes. The aspect of the universe and of society had to be secularized with the help of a new natural science and of natural law as understood by Grotius and Locke. The traditionalism of economic life had to be broken by the rise of the third estate, which was to turn the attention away from the royal courts and their civilization to the life, language, and arts of the people. This new class found itself less bound by tradition than the nobility or clergy; it represented a new force striving for new things; it was ready to break with the past, flaunting tradition, in its opinions even more than it did in reality. In its rise, it claimed to represent not only a new class and its interests, but the whole people. Where the third estate became
The pressure disturbance of a nonlinear internal wave train

Observations from a lander fixed to the seafloor over the continental shelf in 124 m of water provide highly resolved velocity measurements through nonlinear internal waves of elevation. From these measurements we determine, for the first time, the non-hydrostatic pressure disturbance (). By inference, a train of surface-trapped nonlinear internal waves of depression will consist of a sequence of negative pressure perturbations. A result of this analysis is that significant properties of the waves can be discerned from a simple adequately resolved bottom pressure measurement.
Fabrication of suspended electrokinetic microchannels from directly written sacrificial polymer fibers

Freely suspended microchannels with diameters ranging from 4 to 100 μm were fabricated by utilizing directly written PMMA fibers as sacrificial structures. These precisely oriented fibers served as scaffolds around which thin cylinders of glass were deposited (via sputtering), followed by a conformal coating of Parylene to augment the mechanical integrity of the structures. After coating, the PMMA fibers were dissolved to yield suspended, hollow conduits that were hydrophilic and robust. The freely suspended channels were loaded with a buffer solution containing charged particles, which were subsequently electrokinetically manipulated and velocities quantified using microparticle image velocimetry (μPIV). Mobilities within 1.3 % of those observed in conventional, planar microchannels were recorded.
Transplant-Associated Microangiopathy in Patients Receiving Tacrolimus Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Risk Factors and Response to Treatment

Abstract Transplant-associated microangiopathy (TAM) is a life-threatening complication after allogeneic HSCT, particularly with the use of calcineurin inhibitors as post-transplantation immunosuppressive therapy. We report our experience with TAM after HSCT with tacrolimus-based GVHD prophylaxis in a single-center study. Sixty-six of 1219 transplant recipients developed TAM with a cumulative incidence of 5.9%. Risk factors for TAM were female gender, lymphoid malignancy, receipt of a matched unrelated donor, and grade II-IV aGVHD. Most patients had infection and/or active GVHD at the diagnosis of TAM (82%). In the absence of renal dysfunction or encephalopathy, tacrolimus was generally continued, maintaining blood levels within the lower therapeutic range. Sixty-three patients were treated with plasma exchange. The cumulative incidence of response of TAM was 60%. Only 1 patient had a response of TAM without resolution of concomitant infections or GVHD. Six-month survivals were 0% and 50% for TAM nonresponders and responders, respectively. In conclusion, TAM is a common, life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation using tacrolimus prophylaxis. Control of TAM generally requires response of associated infections and GVHD. TMA response may occur despite continuation of tacrolimus treatment.
Assessing poll performance in the 2000 campaign.

The 2000 election campaign saw more polls and more reporting of polls than ever before. Even leaving aside the controversy surrounding the election night projections, especially the double calls and retractions in Florida that prompted congressional hearings, social and political critics and commentators found a lot to be concerned about in the use of polls in last year's election coverage (Harwood and Crossen 2000; Kohut 2000, 2001; Perkins 2000; Plissner 2000; Robertson 2001; Severin 2000). But these concerns were more about tracking polls and instant polls than about the final preelection estimates of the outcomes. The final outcome of the election was very close, decided by .5 percent of the popular vote.' Al Gore won the popular vote, but George W. Bush became the forty-third president of the United States when he was awarded Florida's 25 electoral votes on December 12 by a late-night U.S. Supreme Court decision. In such a tight race, estimating the outcome was an especially difficult task. Most of the final polls did in fact suggest an outcome too close to call, although a majority showed Bush ahead at the end. The collection of final preelection poll estimates differed from the equivalent results in 1996, when all predicted the correct winner of the popular vote but had a larger margin of error from the final vote tally (Mitofsky 1998). For most of the 2000 general election campaign, the national pollsters knew the outcome was going to be close, even though journalists often reported statistically insignificant leads or changes in the lead. Their final preelection
Religious Experience Reconsidered as an example of theoretical assertiveness in the study of religion

Abstract The publication of Religious Experience Reconsidered is one more indication that the incoherent mixture of coyness and braggadocio that for decades has characterized the study of religion and other disciplines, is finally giving way to honest theoretical assertiveness. Taves' book is a careful treatment of experience deemed religious that manages to do justice to the recurrent features of what people tend to experience in such contexts, while also taking into consideration the culture-bound components of those experiences. What is especially welcome is that instead of seeking to establish a bland middle ground, she has pursued an independent path, making use of scholarship in a variety of disciplines, especially psychology of religion.
A finite mixtures algorithm for finding proportions in SAR images

This correspondence describes an algorithm for estimating the proportions of classes in an SAR image by first assuming that an image consists of a mixture of a known number of different pixel types. A maximum likelihood estimate of the parameters of the resulting mixture distribution is then evaluated using the EM algorithm. An advantage of the finite mixtures approach is that the quantities of interest, the proportions, are directly estimated. The technique is applied to aircraft synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of sea ice. In addition to finding the proportions of the classes, knowledge of the mixture components allows image displays tailored to a user's requirements. >
Self-reported disability due to headache: a comparison of clinic patients and controls.

Objective.-To compare the self-reported disability of headache sufferers who seek medical assistance with those who do not seek such help and determine possible relationships between perceived disability and psychological factors. Method.-Subjects were 51 headache patients and 53 persons without medical assistance for their headache within the past 2 years. All subjects completed a structured interview that gathered headache data, a headache disability scale, and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Revised (MMPI-2). Design.-A 2 x 2 ANCOVA design was employed. Subject group (patient vs control) was the first factor and headache type (migraine vs mixed) was the second. Covariates were headache intensity and five subscales of the MMPI-2. Dependent variables were the seven subscales of the headache disability scale. Stepwise discriminant analysis was conducted to determine which factors best classified subjects as patients or controls. Setting.-University Medical Center headache clinic. Results.-Clinic patients reported significantly greater disability on their occupation than controls-a difference emerging after controlling for level of headache pain and personality variables. Patients differed from controls, although not significantly, in the rank order of life activities most affected by headache. Discriminant analysis revealed that self-reported disability for occupation and the Hysteria scale from the MMPI-2 best differentiated the groups.
Titanium-Indiffused Proton-Exchanged Microlens-Based Integrated Optic Bragg Modulator Modules For Optical Computing

A variety of integrated optic Bragg modulator modules that incoorporate an array of channel waveguides, a linear microlens array, an array of acoustooptic or electrooptic diffraction gratings, and an integrating lens in LiNb03 single-mode Channel-Planar composite waveguides with a substrate size of 0.2 x 1.0 x 1.8 cm3 have been realized. These integrated optic device modules were utilized successfully to perform a variety of experiments in computing, RF signal processing, and communications. These device modules together with various other device architectures should serve to facilitate the very large channel capacity that is inherent with the diode laser, the optical fiber, and the photodetector arrays for future multichannel optical computing as well as RF signal processing and communication systems.
Effect of serotonin on uterine blood flow in pregnant and nonpregnant sheep.

Abstract A chronically catheterized preparation was used to determine the effects of serotonin (5 hydroxytryptamine) on uterine blood flow in unanesthetized pregnant and nonpregnant sheep. An intra-arterial catheter was placed in a branch of the main uterine artery to allow administration of serotonin directly into the uterine vasculature and blood flow was monitored via electromagnetic flow transducers on the main uterine arteries. Serotonin produced dose related decreases in uterine blood flow in both pregnant and nonpregnant ewes. These vasoconstrictor responses to serotonin were significantly attenuated by the serotonin antagonist, methylsergide. In contrast, responses to norepinephrine were modified, suggesting specificaty of blockade. Methylsergide produced increases in systemic arterial pressure in nonpregnant ewes and reduced uterine blood flow by 50% in both pregnant and nonpregnant animals. These data demonstrate that the ovine uterine vasculature contains serotonin receptors and that their stimulation results in vasoconstriction. Elevated circulating levels of the vasoactive compound could significantly alter uterine henodynamics and lead to compromised uterine blood flow during pregnancy.
Electron holography and holographic diffraction for surface studies

Abstract The use of a reference wave coming from a particular type of atom has been applied in diffraction experiments from the early days of X-ray diffraction as a means for defining the relative phases of diffracted beams. Modern diffraction techniques for surface study, including diffuse LEED and photoelectron diffraction, apply the same basic concept of what has been called holographic diffraction in a variety of ways. The concept of holography was introduced by Gabor as a basis for the improvement of resolution in electron microscope imaging. An essential aspect was the use of a reference wave to allow relative phases of the image wave function to be defined. The use of holographic imaging principles for the imaging of surfaces with high-energy electrons in the reflection mode has been developed by analogy with off-axis transmission holography. Other forms of reflection-mode electron holography appear feasible by analogy with the Gabor scheme and other in-line holographic transmission modes. The development of very sharp field emission tips has introduced the possibility of low-energy electron holography in transmission and reflection modes. A plea is made for the use of appropriate terminology to distinguish clearly between these various uses of the holographic principle.
Smoking and functional status among Medicare managed care enrollees.

Abstract Background Smoking is a major determinant of health status and outcomes. Current smoking has been associated with lower scores on the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Whether this occurs among the elderly and disabled Medicare populations is not known. This study assessed the relationships between smoking status and both physical and mental functioning in the Medicare managed-care population. Methods During the spring of 1998, data were collected from 134,309 elderly and 8640 disabled Medicare beneficiaries for Cohort 1, Round 1 of the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey. We subsequently used these data to calculate mean standardized SF-36 scores, self-reported health status, and prevalence of smoking-related illness, by smoking status, after adjusting for demographic factors. Results Among the disabled, everyday and someday smokers had lower standardized physical component (PCS) and mental component (MCS) scores than never smokers (−2.4 to −4.5 points; p Conclusions In the elderly and disabled Medicare populations, smokers report worse physical and mental functional status than never smokers. Long-term quitters have better functional status than those who still smoke. More effort should be directed at helping elderly smokers to quit earlier. Smoking cessation has implications for improving both survival and functional status.
Electrochemical engineering of anodic oxygen evolution in molten oxides

Abstract Molten oxide electrolysis (MOE) is a metal extraction process that exhibits an exceptionally high productivity in comparison with other electrowinning techniques. Furthermore, MOE has the ability to generate oxygen as an environmentally benign byproduct, which is a key asset to improve metal extraction sustainability. From an electrochemical engineering standpoint, the high concentration of metal cations dissolved in the electrolyte justifies cathode current densities above 10,000 A m −2 . At the anode, the available data suggest a mechanism of oxidation of the free oxide anions which concentration in oxide melts is reported to be limited. In this context, the application of available mass-transfer correlations for the anodic oxygen evolution suggests a key role of convection induced by gas bubbles evolution.
Remarks on the Theory of Superconductivity

The relation between the Bardeen-Copper-Schrieffer theory and the Bogollubov theory of superconductivity is discussed. It is shown that the B.C.S. trial wave functlon is derived by the sanne transformation as that used by Bogoliubov, and that the integral equatlon whlch determines an introduced paranneter is equivalent. Some remarks are also made on the excited-state wave functions. (auth)
Toward a neosophistic writing pedagogy

In her examination of Erasmus's "The Praise of Folly," Patricia Bizzell announces her wish to find a solution to the problem of "finding a compelling version of rhetorical authority from which to speak on behalf of oppressed groups in spite of the climate of post-modern skepticism which attempts to render all value assertions nugatory" (7-8).1 Bizzell understands the ultimate result of deconstruction-the tool that she and others in favor of a left-oriented political agenda have long used for the purpose of "criticizing received wisdom and destabilizing traditional foundations of belief, teaching us to regard all foundationalist assumptions with suspicion" (14)-to be Pyrrhonian skepticism, a nihilistic abyss of skepticism that refuses to regard even temporary truths. Pyrrhonian skepticism has forced Deconstruction to turn on the very scholars who have employed it to undermine foundationalist beliefs by always already undermining the left-oriented actions those scholars now wish to take. In the past, Bizzell has effectively critiqued foundationalist assumptions (e.g., "Foundationalism and Anti-Foundationalism in Composition Studies"), but now she says she is ready even to "play the fool" if she must to pursue "ways to engage in rhetorical processes whereby we use our common capacities to make reasonable judgments about experience in light of egalitarian values so that we may move more decisively toward democratic political action" (16). Since Bizzell is willing to "play the fool" for her pursuit, she might make an appeal to an older group of thinkers who have been misrepresented as fools more than once: the early Greek sophists, whom I believe offer a theoretical base to Bizzell and all of us who are interested in professing left-oriented values in our writing classrooms. To explicate that sophistic theoretical base, I will briefly review recent work on the sophists in composition and rhetoric, illustrate how a sophistic understanding of the progress of knowledge can enable us to avoid the trap of Pyrrhonian skepticism, and examine three neosophistic essays that organize the principles of neosophism. In the final section, I will use sample assignments I've designed for my own composition course to demonstrate how a neosophistic pedagogy authorizes sociopolitical action in the composition classroom. Bizzell, to her credit, connects her search for "rhetorical authority" to the work of the sophists. "Playing the fool," she says, allows one to "innocently transgress" social boundaries, an action that in turn, she hopes, allows teachers
High temperature spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies of californium tribromide: Proof of thermal reduction to californium(II)

Abstract Californium tribromide (CfBr 3 ) has been studied on the several microgram scale by spectroscopic and X-ray powder diffraction methods between 25°C and about 700°C. Spectroscopic evidence indicates that CfBr 3 undergoes reduction to produce Cf(II) in greater amounts with increasing temperature, with about 15–30 per cent reduction at 600°C. Despite the ingrowth of Cf(II) into the CfBr 3 with increasing temperature, all the powder diffraction patterns exhibited only the monoclinic AlCl 3 -type structure characteristic of CfBr 3 confirming this structure type as the high-temperature one. A mechanism involving a reversible shift of electron density from the Br ions to the Cf(III) ions with temperature is postulated to explain satisfactorily the experimental observations made in the present and previous studies. Californium triiodide is predicted to undergo thermal reduction to Cf(II) more readily than CfBr 3 .
Social Problem Solving Under Assault: Understanding the Impact of Sexual Assault on the Relation Between Social Problem Solving and Suicidal Risk in Female College Students

The present study sought to examine how social problem solving and sexual assault are involved in suicidal risk in a sample of 221 female college students. Specifically, we were interested to examine whether sexual assault may play an additive as well as interactive role in the prediction of suicidal risk (viz., hopelessness and suicidal behaviors) above and beyond social problem solving. Results from regression analyses indicated that deficits in social problem solving, especially low positive problem orientation, and sexual assault were important and unique predictors of suicidal risk in female students. Moreover, we found support for a Social Problem Solving × Sexual Assault interaction in predicting hopelessness. Significant interactions emerged specifically for negative problem orientation and impulsivity/carelessness style. Some important implications of the present findings are discussed.
Does escape to enemy-free space explain host specialization in two closely related leaf-feeding beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) ?

This paper examines the role of predation and parasitism in the host specialization of two chrysomelid beetles that are monophagous on different species of Asteraceae. Ophraella notulata and O. slobodkini are sister taxa that feed on Iva frutescens and Ambrosia artemisiifolia respectively. Ambrosia is the purported ancestral host plant for this species pair. The question addressed is whether there is evidence that escape to enemy-free space may influence the host specialization of O. notulata on I. frutescens. I estimated egg predation, successful egg hatch, and larval parasitism directly, and larval predation indirectly, based on relative abundances of predatory insects and spiders. Egg predation was significantly higher on O. slobodkini and this was not due to species-specific differences in egg defense. However, egg hatch was not significantly different between O. notulata and O. slobodkini. Predatory arthropods were 4 times more abundant in A. artemisiifolia habitat than in I. frutescens habitat. Interestingly, larval parasitism by a tachinid fly was significantly greater on O. notulata than on O. slobodkini, opposite to the egg predation data and the inferred larval predation rate. There is little evidence to suggest that escape to enemy-free space is a factor that maintains the monophagy of O. notulata.
A numerical algorithm for remote sensing of density profiles of a simple ocean model by acoustic pulses

Abstract An iterative algorithm for solving nonlinear inverse problems in remote sensing of density profiles of a simple ocean model by using acoustic pulses is developed. Here the adiabatic sound velocity is assumed to be proportional to the inverse square root of the density. The basic idea of this new algorithm is that first, the original pulse problem in the time domain is reduced to a continuous wave problem in the frequency domain and then the nonlinear inverse problem in the frequency domain is solved by a hybrid of a Newton-like iterative method, Backus and Gilbert linear inversion technique, and the finite difference method. This new computational algorithm is tested by numerical simulations with given data from 10 different frequencies and is found to give excellent results. The effects of taking data from various frequency ranges and of the contaminating instrument and ambient noise on the accuracy and efficiency of numerical computation are investigated. It is found that the low frequency data are preferred over the data from the high frequency spectrum. Under favorable conditions, the maximum pointwise numerical error of the density profile ϱ ( x ) is less than 5% of the total variation of the density profile, ρ tv =|Max ρ ( x ) − Min ρ ( x )|. Better result can be achieved if a large number of data are available and more efforts are made in the numerical computation.
Theorems as meaningful cultural artifacts: Making the world additive

Mathematical theorems are cultural artifacts and may be interpreted much as works of art, literature, and tool-and-craft are interpreted. The Fundamental Theorem of the Calculus, the Central Limit Theorem of Statistics, and the Statistical Continuum Limit of field theories, all show how the world may be put together through the “arithmetic addition” of suitably prescribed parts (velocities, variances, and renormalizations and scaled blocks, respectively). In the limit — of smoothness, statistical independence, and large N — higher-order parts, such as accelerations, are, for the most, part irrelevant, affirming that, in the end, most of the world's particulars may be averaged over (a very un-Scriptural point of view). (We work out all of this in technical detail, including a nice geometric picture of stochastic integration, and a method of calculating the variance of the sum of dependent random variables using renormalization group ideas.) These fundamental theorems affirm a culture that is additive, ahistorical, Cartesian, and continuist, sharing in what might be called a species of modern culture. We understand mathematical results as useful because, like many other such artifacts, they have been adapted to fit the world, and the world has been adapted to fit their capacities. Such cultural interpretation is in effect motivation for the mathematics, and might well be offered to students as a way of helping them understand what is going on at the blackboard. Philosophy of mathematics might want to pay more attention to the history and detailed technical features of sophisticated mathematics, as a balance to the usual concerns that arise in formalist or even Platonist positions.
AN ADVANCED BOUNDARY INTEGRAL EQUATION METHOD FOR TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD PROBLEMS*

ABSTRACT The features of an advanced numerical solution capability for two-dimensional electromagnetic field problems governed by Laplace's Equation or, under certain conditions, by Poisson's Equation are outlined. Specifically, the relevant Boundary Integral Equation (BIE) formulation is presented, and a process for numerical solution is given based on assumed piecewise-quadratic variation of the boundary functions over boundary segments which, in turn, are assumed to be piecewise-quadratic curves between nodes. This numerical process based on quadratic assumptions is contrasted with the piecewise-constant or piecewise-linear assumptions which appear more commonly in the literature. A problem involving the forces on the windings in the “window” of a simple core-type transformer is solved for illustration
Dynamics of pulse propagation in a four level atomic system

We explore theoretically the dynamics of pulse propagation in a four level atomic medium under conditions when the controlling fields are suddenly changed while the pulse is in the medium.
Multiple liquid stimulus dispenser.

Abstract An eight valve dispenser was developed for administering low concentrations of liquid stimuli. The dispenser and its electrical circuitry is described. The dispenser was used in behavioral studies of the chemical senses of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. The concentration threshold of catfish trained to suppress heart rate in response to the amino acid, L-cysteine, was found to be 5 × 10−9 Molar.
Soybean growth on fly ashamended strip mine spoils

The use of fly ash as an amendment for strip mine soils has been studied under field conditions. Spoils ranging in pH from 4.0–6.0 were tested. The addition of fly ash in all cases was effective as an acid soil neutralizer and substantially enhanced the growth and development of all experimental plants. The parameters used in growth analyses were plant height, dry weight, root/shoot ratios, nodulation, pod production, and nitrogen fixing capacity for legumes. re]19761004
Role of concepts in software evolution

Software evolution is a phase in the software lifecycle where major changes in software are made. Incremental change adds new functionality to software and is one of the key principles of software evolution. This paper presents a methodology for incremental change and a case study of a small application written in Java. Domain concepts play a key role.