cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solitary-like waves in boundary-layer flows and their randomization

Essentially nonlinear motions generated in incompressible boundary layers by external agencies are considered. A pertinent mathematical model for the Blasius flow is furnished by the forced Benjamin-Davis-Acrivos integral-differential equation. A steady hump is chosen as a simplest source in order to trace the disturbance-pattern evolution as the roughness height increases, provided that its length is kept fixed. Occurence of bifurcation phenomena features this problem; the first publication gives rise, in particular, to a specific regime with nearly limit-cycle-type oscillations in the immediate vicinity of the hump. After the second bifurcation studied, the nearly periodic regime collapses into irregular pulsations with erratic sequences of amplitudes and characteristic times. A brief discussion based on the forced Korteweg-de Vries equation lends credence to the view that the chaotically transitional process can be triggered at an earlier stage of wave amplification.
Requiring protocols in computer search warrants

A controversy is brewing in the United States as to whether the magistrate who issues a computer search warrant can require the officer seeking the warrant to provide a protocol to be used in executing the search. The U.S. Department of Justice's guidelines on searching and seizing computers recommend including a protocol in the warrant application when possible. The controversy raises two interacting issues: the extent to which a magistrate has the authority to prescribe how computer searches should be conducted and the extent to which the expectation of privacy in a computer is ''different'' from that for other containers. The magistrates who require protocols insist that they have the authority to do so under the Fourth Amendment. There are very few federal cases on the issue, none of which are clearly dispositive, and one state case. The article explains why the controversy has arisen and analyzes how it may ultimately be resolved.
Discovering SNPs in Protein Coding Regions with StellaSNP: Illustrating the Characterization and Geographic Distribution of Polymorphisms in the Estuarine Anemone Nematostella vectensis

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can be used to study the nucleotide diversity both within and between species. Furthermore, as some SNPs impact organismal phenotype, characterizing SNPs can provide insights into the relationship between genotype and phenotype and the adaptive evolution of populations. Model systems that combine a large quantity of available sequence data (e.g., large-scale expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing projects) with diverse natural environments provide potent opportunities to investigate the evolution of adaptive nucleotide polymorphism in the wild. We developed a relational database of SNPs from 17,108 ESTs for the estuarine sea anemone Nematostella vectensis ( www.stellabase.org/SNP ). In these ESTs, we identified 20,063 candidate SNPs in 3,233 assembled contigs. Of these SNPs, 555 can be regarded with a high degree of confidence because the nucleotide variants occurring at that position were observed in at least two different ESTs. All 555 of these high-confidence SNPs were scored with respect to their location in coding or noncoding regions. Three hundred forty-three SNPs were within coding regions, 78 of which were nonsynonymous polymorphisms. We sequence-confirmed and analyzed the distribution of three nonsynonymous polymorphisms—one that occurs in the highly conserved homeodomain of the transcription factor tlx and two that occur in a deiodinase gene.
Physical mapping and field inversion gel electrophoresis of Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus DNA.

Agarose in situ digestion was used to prepare intactAmsacta moorei entomopoxvirus (AmEPV) DNA from embedded occlusion bodies (OBs). Direct dissolution of OBs in agarose eliminated the necessity for separate purification of virions. A physical map of AmEPV DNA was constructed for five restriction enzymes (BamHI,EcoRI,HindIII,PstI, andXhoI) using single and multiple digests, and isolated fragment digestions. End fragments were identified by Bal31 digestion and snap-back analysis. A least squares procedure was used to reconcile fragment lengths. AmEPV genome size estimates were based on restriction enzyme (REN) fragment length totals (222 kb), reconciled physical map distance (225 kb), and field inversion gel electrophoresis (FIGE) (about 242 kb). Presumably due to the high A+T content (18.5% G+C) of AmEPV DNA, FIGE values for the intact genome and large REN fragments were about 6 to 10% higher than expected. Preparative FIGE was used to concentrate AmEPV DNA from agarose microbead encapsulated insect cells (Estigmene acrea, BTI-EAA). REN digests of this DNA were identical to those from OBs from caterpillars.
Effectiveness of Programs for Work Site Trip Reduction: The Influence of Organizational Culture

The purpose of this research was to investigate other explanations for the success of work site trip reduction programs besides the combinations of incentives offered by organizations to their employees. Specifically, the study examined the organizational culture of individual work sites as manifested by the effect of the employee transportation coordinators (ETC) on their work site trip reduction programs. A case study methodology adapted from the social sciences was used. Investigators attempted to disprove a null hypothesis stated as the effectiveness of work site trip reduction programs does not depend on organizational culture. Research results appear to indicate that the null hypothesis is true sometimes. This study found evidence that management support and an effective ETC are not necessary for a successful work site trip reduction program if the work site is located in an area with access to high-quality public transportation and employs lower-income staff who must choose transportation cost savi...
Evaluation of three equine FSH superovulation protocols in mares

Abstract Superovulation could potentially increase embryo recovery for immediate transfer or cryopreservation. The objectives were to evaluate the effect of pretreatment with progesterone and estradiol (P + E) on follicular response to eFSH and compare doses of eFSH and ovulatory agents on follicular development and ovulation in mares. In Experiment 1, 40 mares were assigned to one of four treatment groups. Group 1 consisted of untreated controls. Group 2 mares were administered eFSH without pretreatment with P + E. Group 3 mares were administered P + E for 10 days starting in mid-diestrus followed by eFSH therapy. Group 4 mares were administered P + E for 10 days followed by eFSH therapy. All treated mares were administered 12.5 mg eFSH twice daily and prostaglandins were given on the second day of eFSH therapy. Mares were bred with fresh semen the day of hCG administration and with cooled semen the following day. The numbers of preovulatory follicles and ovulations were lower for mares treated with P + E prior to eFSH treatment. Pretreatment with P + E in estrus also resulted in a lower embryo recovery rate per ovulation compared to the other two eFSH treatment groups. In Experiment 2, two doses of eFSH (12.5 and 6.25 mg) and two ovulation-inducing agents (hCG and deslorelin) were evaluated. The number of preovulatory follicles was greater for mares given 12.5 mg of eFSH compared to mares given 6.25 mg. Number of ovulations was greatest for mares given 12.5 mg of eFSH twice daily followed by administration of hCG. Embryo recovery per flush was similar among treatment groups, but the percent of embryos per ovulation was higher for mares given the low dose of eFSH. In summary, there was no advantage to giving P + E prior to eFSH treatment. In addition, even though the lower dose of eFSH resulted in fewer ovulations, embryo recovery per flush and embryo recovery per ovulation were similar or better for those given the lower dose of eFSH.
Integrin α9β1 Directly Binds to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-A and Contributes to VEGF-A-induced Angiogenesis

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a potent inducer of angiogenesis. We now show that VEGF-A-induced adhesion and migration of human endothelial cells are dependent on the integrin alpha9beta1 and that VEGF-A is a direct ligand for this integrin. Adhesion and migration of these cells on the 165 and 121 isoforms of VEGF-A depend on cooperative input from alpha9beta1 and the cognate receptor for VEGF-A, VEGF receptor 2 (VEGF-R2). Unlike alpha3beta1or alphavbeta3 integrins, alpha9beta1 was also found to bind the 121 isoform of VEGF-A. This interaction appears to be biologically significant, because alpha9beta1-blocking antibody dramatically and specifically inhibited angiogenesis induced by VEGF-A165 or -121. Together with our previous findings that alpha9beta1 directly binds to VEGF-C and -D and contributes to lymphangiogenesis, these results identify the integrin alpha9beta1 as a potential pharmacotherapeutic target for inhibition of pathogenic angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
Ethnic Peer Preferences Among Asian American Adolescents in Emerging Immigrant Communities

Growing diversity and evidence that diverse friendships enhance psychosocial success highlight the importance of understanding adolescents’ ethnic peer preferences. Using social identity and social contact frameworks, the ethnic preferences of 169 Asian American adolescents (60% female) were examined in relation to ethnic identity, perceived discrimination, and language proficiency. Adolescents with same- and mixed-ethnic friends reported significantly greater ethnic centrality than those with mostly different-ethnic friends. Adolescents with same-ethnic friends reported significantly higher perceived discrimination and lower English proficiency than those with mixed- and different-ethnic friends. Open-ended responses were linked to quantitative data and provided further insight into specific influences on peer preferences (e.g., shared traditions, homophily). Results speak to the importance of cultural experiences in structuring the friendships and everyday lives of adolescents.
Carrier Dynamics Resulting from Above and Below Gap Excitation of P3HT and P3HT/ PCBM Investigated by Optical-Pump Terahertz-Probe Spectroscopy

We report subpicosecond carrier dynamics in photoexcited solid films of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and a blend of P3HT/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) using optical-pump terahertz-probe spectroscopy for excitations well above and below the generally accepted energy gap in P3HT. Both 400 nm excitation and 800 nm excitation yield similar results, suggesting the same photoproduct results from these two different excitation energies. The time evolution of the frequency-dependent complex conductivity after optical-pumping reveals characteristics of strong carrier localization. Carrier mobilities and photon-to-carrier yields are estimated based on the application of the Drude−Smith model. Low carrier yields (≤1.5%) suggest that free carriers are not the primary photogenerated species. High hole mobilities (30−40 cm2/Vs) are consistent with the THz probing frequency, which selectively probes short-range highly ordered domains. Low-temperature measurements show a slight ...
Sensitivity of some posterior summaries when the prior is unimodal with specified quantiles

Prior information is modeled either by (1) a class of unimodal distributions with specified quantiles, or by (2) an ∈-contamination class with contaminations subject to unimodal and quantile restrictions. We show how the ranges of certain posterior summaries can be found. Using numerical examples, we compare the robustness behaviour under these classes, and assess the effect, in terms of robustness, of specifying a base prior. On considere deux modelisations de l'information a priori: une classe de lois unimodales avec quantiles fixes et une classe de lois ∈-contaminees ou la contamination est unimodale et assujettie a des restrictions sur les quantiles. On montre comment les etendues de certaines caracteristiques de la loi a poteriori peuvent ětre determinees. La robustesse relativement a ces classes est etudiee via des exemples numeriques. On evalue, en terme de robustesse, l'effet de specifier une loi a priori de base.
The Impact of Chronic Pesticide Exposure on Neuropsychological Functioning.

This study compared neuropsychological test performance of individuals (n = 18) with an occupational history of pesticide exposure to individuals (n = 35) with no such exposure history. Results showed that a history of pesticide-related occupation exposure led to deficits in only Digit Symbol performance. Additionally, the correlation between Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) performance and age was negative and significant in individuals with pesticide-related occupation exposure (r = −.45, p .61), suggesting that cognitive ability (as measured by the MMSE) declines faster in the occupational-exposed group as compared to their counterparts without such exposure. This decline was evident despite the fact that groups did not differ significantly in age.
SAFE combinations fail to open the door to atrial fibrillation prevention.

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the entire US population is ≈1%.1 The prevalence of AF increases substantially with age, with ≤9% of patients over the age of 80 years developing AF. The population presenting with permanent pacing requirements also increases with age, and the cumulative lifetime risk of developing paroxysmal AF in pacemaker patients may be as high as 40%.2 Article see p 687 Mechanisms for AF initiation and maintenance are multiple but are widely accepted to be a result of triggered initiation by atrial premature beats, and maintenance within the atrial substrate on the basis of multiple wavelets of reentry and rotors that depend on inhomogeneous atrial refractory periods and atrial conduction velocities. Atrial pacing may prevent both AF triggers and atrial substrate changes by suppressing atrial premature beats and inducing a more homogenous atrial landscape of refractory periods and conduction velocities. Atrial-based pacing is clearly superior to ventricular pacing alone in preventing atrial fibrillation with an 18% relative risk reduction with atrial-based pacing over a 3-year follow-up.3 This treatment effect has been postulated to be the result of atrial premature beat suppression and changes in atrial refractory periods and atrial conduction velocities as a result of atrial stretch attributed to higher atrial pressure from AV dyssynchronous pacing. The atrial changes associated with atrial-based pacing could possibly be enhanced by atrial overdrive pacing algorithms or by alternative site atrial pacing, such as the atrial septum. The role of alternative-site atrial pacing …
The spatial distribution of sting targets

Abstract This article explores the relationship between the location of a storefront sting and the spatial distribution of thefts that led to storefront transactions. Through the use of data from Birmingham, Alabama that were transformed to describe the spatial distribution of sting auto thefts plus a sample of all auto thefts in the area, the dispersion of sting auto thefts about the sting site is described, and the pattern is related to the spatial distribution of all auto thefts. Through centrographic measures and graphics it is shown that sting auto thefts tended to be concentrated about the storefront location, and that pattern of sting auto thefts is related to the general pattern of auto theft in Birmingham.
Do compensation plans with performance targets provide better incentives

Abstract Guided by academic literature, industry practice and policy recommendations, we analyze a wide range of option and restricted stock plans with exercise and vesting conditions that may be contingent on stock price performance. To assess the effectiveness of these plans at attracting and providing incentives to executives, we create compensation plans with fixed firm cost and executive valuation and calculate their expected total lifetime incentives. We show that performance vesting targets provide the least cost effective incentives, performance exercise targets provide the largest risk incentives, option plans are generally superior to restricted stock plans, and calendar vesting is only efficient up to a maximum of three years. Performance exercise targets can increase the expected total lifetime incentives provided by compensation plans, but in general, standard options with short vesting periods provide the most cost effective pay-for-performance incentives.
Biaxial analysis of synthetic scaffolds for hernia repair demonstrates variability in mechanical anisotropy, non-linearity and hysteresis.

Abstract Background Over the past 60 years, the soft tissue repair market has grown to include over 50 types of hernia repair materials. Surgeons typically implant these materials in the orientation that provides maximum overlap of the mesh over the defect, with little regard for mechanical properties of the mesh material. If the characteristics of the meshes were better understood, an appropriate material could be identified for each patient, and meshes could be placed to optimize integration with neighboring tissue and avoid the mechanical mis-match that can lead to impaired graft fixation. The purpose of this study was to fully characterize and compare the mechanical properties of thirteen types of hernia repair materials via planar biaxial tensile testing. Methods Equibiaxial (i.e., equal simultaneous loading in both directions) and strip biaxial (i.e., loading in one direction with the other direction held fixed) tests were utilized as physiologically relevant loading regimes. After applying a 0.1 N pre-load on each arm, samples were subjected to equibiaxial cyclic loading using a triangular waveform to 2.5 mm displacement on each arm at 0.1 Hz for 10 cycles. Samples were then subjected to two strip biaxial tests (using the same cyclic loading protocol), where extension was applied along a single axis with the other axis held fixed. Results The thirteen evaluated mesh types exhibited a wide range of mechanical properties. Some were nearly isotropic (C-QUR™, DUALMESH®, PHYSIOMESH™, and PROCEED®), while others were highly anisotropic (Ventralight™ ST, Bard™ Mesh, and Bard™ Soft Mesh). Some displayed nearly linear behavior (Bard™ Mesh), while others were non-linear with a long toe region followed by a sharp rise in tension (INFINIT®). These materials are currently utilized in clinical settings as if they are uniform and interchangeable, and clearly this is not the case. The mechanical properties most advantageous for successful hernia repairs are currently only vaguely described in the clinical literature. The characteristics of the human abdominal wall must be extensively characterized to provide a thorough understanding of the tissue being reinforced/replaced by these meshes. A better understanding of these mechanical differences would enable matching of patient characteristics to a specific mesh with the properties best suited to that particular repair.
Bahadur efficiencies of spacings tests for goodness of fit

This paper is concerned with the exact Bahadur efficiencies of spacings statistics. For a general class of statistics based on a fixed number of spacings, the explicit forms of the exact slopes are derived, and it is shown that the sum of the logarithms of spacings is optimal in this class. Some results are extended to the case where the number of spacings increase with the sample size to infinity.
A Systematic Analysis of the Sensitivity of Plasma Pharmacokinetics to Detect Differences in the Pulmonary Performance of Inhaled Fluticasone Propionate Products Using a Model-Based Simulation Approach

The role of plasma pharmacokinetics (PK) for assessing bioequivalence at the target site, the lung, for orally inhaled drugs remains unclear. A validated semi-mechanistic model, considering the presence of mucociliary clearance in central lung regions, was expanded for quantifying the sensitivity of PK studies in detecting differences in the pulmonary performance (total lung deposition, central-to-peripheral lung deposition ratio, and pulmonary dissolution characteristics) between test (T) and reference (R) inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) products. PK bioequivalence trials for inhaled FP were simulated based on this PK model for a varying number of subjects and T products. The statistical power to conclude bioequivalence when T and R products are identical was demonstrated to be 90% for approximately 50 subjects. Furthermore, the simulations demonstrated that PK metrics (area under the concentration time curve (AUC) and C max) are capable of detecting differences between T and R formulations of inhaled FP products when the products differ by more than 20%, 30%, and 25% for total lung deposition, central-to-peripheral lung deposition ratio, and pulmonary dissolution characteristics, respectively. These results were derived using a rather conservative risk assessment approach with an error rate of <10%. The simulations thus indicated that PK studies might be a viable alternative to clinical studies comparing pulmonary efficacy biomarkers for slowly dissolving inhaled drugs. PK trials for pulmonary efficacy equivalence testing should be complemented by in vitro studies to avoid false positive bioequivalence assessments that are theoretically possible for some specific scenarios. Moreover, a user-friendly web application for simulating such PK equivalence trials with inhaled FP is provided.
Drafting Dynamics of Fine Denier Polyester Fibers

It is important to understand the role of fiber properties in the drafting process. Finer denier fibers may have different drafting behaviors than average denier fibers, such as drafting force, required roller settings, draft distribution, and velocity change zone. The objective of this work is to study the interaction of specific fiber fineness values and the drawing machine. Three different fine denier polyester fibers (0.8, 1.0, and 1.2) are run on a three-over-three roller drafting machine set at six different drafts with three roller settings. A high-speed video camera system observes fiber movements and measures fiber speeds in the drafting zone. In this study, fiber speed and variations in fiber speed are significantly affected by fiber fineness and drafting conditions. Fineness changes drafting behavior by introducing fiber clusters and fiber contact points. The acceleration process depends on the interaction of static and dynamic friction forces at the fiber contact points. Therefore, fiber movem...
The role of emotional regulation in the development of hypertension

Abstract The origins of psychosomatic medicine were concerned with the relationship between one's method of anger expression and resultant blood pressure change. This literature has been controversial: some theorists proposed that expression of anger will relieve psychodynamic tensions, and possibly help the person gain insight; others have posited, in contrast, that such expression will tend to promote social discord. Both pathways are thought to affect autonomic arousal, which may lead to sustained blood pressure elevation. The literature suggests that an “anger-in” style tends to characterize persons with hypertension; however, the mechanisms by which such this may occur may lead to hypertension remain unclear. We have theorized that rumination about trauma-related events leads to sustained blood pressure elevations, and have supported this hypothesis in a series of empirical studies.
The effect of different types of mice upon muricidal behavior in the Long-Evans rat

Long-Evans hooded rats are much more likely to kill wild mice than domestic mice. Several experiments were performed in an attempt to discover the primary mechanism(s) by which the two types of mice are differentiated. The discrimination was maintained despite blinding of the rats, deafening, removal of the vibrissae, altering the activity and/or the odor of the mouse, or combinations of treatments. Some evidence was obtained for a differentiation through the use of olfactory cues.
Transforming the Literary “I” Into the Cinematic Eye in Julian Schnabel's Adaptation of Le Scaphandre et le Papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly)

Jean-Dominique Bauby's book Le Scaphandre et le papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly; Paris: Robert Laffont, 1997) was adapted to film by the director and artist Julian Schnabel in 2007. The...
The incidence of a generalist thrips herbivore among natural and translocated patches of an endangered vernal pool plant, Blennosperma bakeri

As a restoration strategy, translocation of endangered plant populations may be a risky procedure with uncertain outcomes. Often, very little ecological information is known about these populations before, as well as after, translocation. The endangered vernal pool plant, Blennosperma bakeri, is a case in point. As a consequence of vernal pool habitat destruction, many populations of B. bakeri have been transplanted or translocated to various receptor sites. In this study, we examine the incidence of a thrips herbivore, Frankliniella minuta, in natural and translocated populations of B. bakeri in relation to floral patch size and degree of isolation and present implications for B. bakeri restoration and management. At a vernal pool mitigation site in California, U.S.A., thrips were present in both kinds of B. bakeri populations, and the range of thrips densities in both kinds of populations was similar for adults and immatures. Significant negative relationships between patch size, patch isolation, and numbers of flower heads infested with adult or immature thrips were found only among natural patches. Natural patches tended to be smaller in size than translocated patches, but patch isolation distances were similar. Some evidence suggests that B. bakeri is a F. minuta host plant, but the impact of these herbivores on B. bakeri remains unclear. Our findings, although preliminary, suggest that the distribution and abundance of F. minuta varied with floral patchiness, thrips stage, and the natural or translocated status of B. bakeri populations. In addition, our results provide a starting point for understanding the spatial context of plant-herbivore interactions in artificially altered vernal pool landscapes.
Isolation and characterization of Xenopus Hey-1: a downstream mediator of Notch signaling.

Regulation of Notch signaling likely occurs, at least in part, at the level of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors that function downstream of Suppressor of Hairless (Su(H)) in the Notch pathway. To begin to characterize modulation of Notch signaling during organogenesis, we examined the bHLH transcription factor, XHey-1 (hairy related-1) in early Xenopus laevis embryos. XHey-1 is expressed in numerous tissues during early development including the somites, head, embryonic kidneys, and heart. Importantly, the expression of XHey-1 was significantly altered in response to perturbation of Notch signaling by means of inducible constructs that served to either activate or suppress Notch signaling through Su(H) in a temporally controlled manner.
The Instruction of Biostatistics in Medical Schools

Abstract A survey of medical schools in the United States and Canada was undertaken to learn the topics in biostatistics that are being taught to medical students and how the biostatistics instruction is organized. Results indicate that more schools are requiring course work in biostatistics than were doing so 10 years ago and that instruction is integrated within courses in epidemiology or public health/community medicine at half of the schools. Although some basic concepts are taught at 90% of the responding schools, there is wide variation in the topics being covered and in the number of hours devoted to the instruction. The results of the survey are followed by descriptions of the biostatistics curriculum at three medical schools.
The influence of the pre-oxidation of natural organic matter on the formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).

NDMA is a recently recognized disinfection byproduct that can be formed by a reaction of monochloramine with natural organic matter (NOM). This study was undertaken to examine the influence of various preoxidation strategies (including prechlorination) on the subsequent formation of NDMA and to determine how this is correlated to the subsequent loss in specific UV absorbance (SUVA) that preoxidation causes. Batch experiments were conducted using surface-water-derived NOM exposed to various oxidants that included free chlorine, permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, and ozone. Photochemical oxidation was also studied by exposing the water to simulated sunlight. The amount of NDMA formed after monochloramine was added or formed in situ, in the case when free chlorine was the preoxidant, was significantly reduced by these treatments. The reduction was proportional to the reduction in SUVA that also occurred as a consequence of these treatments indicating that SUVA may be a good surrogate for NDMA precursor content...
Thrombosuction Utilizing an Export Aspiration Catheter during Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Myocardial Infarction

PURPOSE Effective myocardial reperfusion after primary PCI for an AMI in lesions with a thrombus is limited by distal embolization and the slow/no reflow phenomenon. We evaluated the efficacy of a thrombus reduction technique using an export aspiration catheter for thrombosuction during primary PCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed 62 patients with AMIs who underwent primary PCI and had a thrombi burden during thrombosuction using an EAC (EAC group; n=31) or without thrombosuction (control group; n=31). RESULTS Thrombosuction with an EAC was performed safely in all the patients in EAC group without any complications. After the PCI, restoration to a TIMI flow grade 3 was significantly more frequent in the EAC group (26/31 vs. 20/31, p < 0.05). However, the TIMI perfusion grade did not differ between the two groups. Further, the corrected TIMI frame counts were lower in the EAC group (23.9 +/- 15.1 vs. 34.8 +/- 22.5, p < 0.05). Although there was no statistical significance, a greater incidence of distal embolization was observed in the control group (16.1%, 5/31) as compared to the EAC group (0/31) (p= 0.056). However, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events at 1 and 6 months did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION For AMIs, thrombosuction with an EAC before or during PCI is a safe and potentially effective method for restoration of the coronary flow.
Retrieval of DNA Using Soft-Landing after Mass Analysis by ESI-FTICR for Enzymatic Manipulation

The DNA modifications that lead to mutations are of direct interest for, e.g. the understanding of DNA damage recognition and repair. The characterization of the modified oligonucleotides and enzymatic responses to specific DNA modifications are of primary concern, but also present major analytical challenges. Among the available techniques, mass spectrometry has become an increasingly important tool for the study of oligonucleotides, their mutations, and interactions. Conventionally, mass spectrometry provides mass and structural information (e.g. from dissociation experiments and the use of tandem mass spectrometry). However, the small quantities of material analyzed and the destructive nature of conventional mass spectrometric detection (e.g., due to high energy impact on particle multiplier surfaces) have precluded subsequent use of mass separated biopolymers. The authors report the use of mass spectrometry in conjunction with soft-landing for the high-resolution analysis, separation, and selective collection of oligonucleotides, and their subsequent retrieval for enzymatic manipulation. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI-FTICR) allows nondestructive (i.e., image current) measurement of the mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) of ions with high sensitivity, resolution, and mass accuracy.
A new model of diffuse brain injury in rats Part I: Pathophysiology and biomechanics

This report describes the development of an experimental head injury model capable of producing diffuse brain injury in the rodent. A total of 161 anesthetized adult rats were injured utilizing a simple weight-drop device consisting of a segmented brass weight free-falling through a Plexiglas guide tube. Skull fracture was prevented by cementing a small stainless-steel disc on the calvaria. Two groups of rats were tested: Group 1, consisting of 54 rats, to establish fracture threshold; and Group 2, consisting of 107 animals, to determine the primary cause of death at severe injury levels. Data from Group 1 animals showed that a 450-gm weight falling from a 2-m height (0.9 kg-m) resulted in a mortality rate of 44% with a low incidence (12.5%) of skull fracture. Impact was followed by apnea, convulsions, and moderate hypertension. The surviving rats developed decortication flexion deformity of the forelimbs, with behavioral depression and loss of muscle tone. Data from Group 2 animals suggested that the cause of death was due to central respiratory depression; the mortality rate decreased markedly in animals mechanically ventilated during the impact. Analysis of mathematical models showed that this mass-height combination resulted in a brain acceleration of 900 G and a brain compression gradient of 0.28 mm. It is concluded that this simple model is capable of producing a graded brain injury in the rodent without a massive hypertensive surge or excessive brain-stem damage.
Digestion of highly modified bacteriophage DNA by restriction endonucleases

The ability of thirty Type II restriction endonucleases to cleave five different types of highly modified DNA has been examined. The DNA substrates were derived from relatively large bacteriophage genomes which contain all or most of the cytosine or thymine residues substituted at the 5-position. These substituents were a proton (PBS1 DNA), a hydroxymethyl group (SP01 DNA), a methyl group (XP12 DNA), a glucosylated hydroxymethyl group (T4 DNA), or a phosphoglucuronated, glucosylated 4,5-dihydroxypentyl group (SP15 DNA). Although PBS1 DNA and SP01 DNA were digested by most of the enzymes, they were cleaved much more slowly than was normal DNA by many of them. 5-Methylcytosine-rich XP12 DNA and the multiply modified T4 and SP15 DNAs were resistant to most of these endonucleases. The only enzyme that cleaved all five of these DNAs was TaqI, which fragmented them extensively.
Cue Integration for Figure/Ground Labeling

We present a model of edge and region grouping using a conditional random field built over a scale-invariant representation of images to integrate multiple cues. Our model includes potentials that capture low-level similarity, mid-level curvilinear continuity and high-level object shape. Maximum likelihood parameters for the model are learned from human labeled groundtruth on a large collection of horse images using belief propagation. Using held out test data, we quantify the information gained by incorporating generic mid-level cues and high-level shape.
Performance characteristics of an induction linac magnetic pulse compression modulator at multi-kilohertz pulse repetition frequencies

The ETA-II linear induction accelerator utilizes four pulse power conditioning chains. Magnetic pulse compression modulators (MAG1-Ds) form the last state of each chain. The upgrading and characterizing of the power conditioning chain on a high-average-power test stand (HAPTS) is reported. On the HAPTS, the pulse-to-pulse amplitude stability has been improved to less than 0.7% (one sigma) and the random jitter to 3-5 about a systematic timing variation. A description is presented of the work to achieve the desired performance level of the MAG1-D to allow high average power operation of ETA-II. >
Optimal Reentry Guidance for Aeroassisted Orbit Transfer Vehicles

A three-state model is presented for analyzing the problem of optimal changes in heading with minimum energy loss for a hypersonic gliding vehicle. A further model order reduction to a single state model is examined using singular perturbation theory. the optimal solution for the reduced problem defines an optimal altitude profile dependent on the current energy of the vehicle. A separate boundary layer analysis is used to account for altitude and flight path angle dynamics, and to obtain lift and bank angle control solutions. By considering alternative approximations to solve the boundary layer problem, three guidance laws are obtained, each having a feedback form. The guidance laws are evaluated for a hypothetical vehicle, and compared to an optimal solution obtained using a multiple shooting algorithm.
Systemic reactions to inhalant immunotherapy using 1:1 target dosing.

Abstract Background The 2007 immunotherapy practice parameters advocate maintenance dosing at 1:1 (1:20 maintenance concentrate). There is limited literature exploring the effect of 1:1 dosing on the rate of systemic reactions to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SRITs). Objective To investigate the effects of 1:1 dosing on SRITs in a large, academic practice. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all nonvenom and noncluster SRITs that occurred between 2005 and 2011. SRITs that occurred from August 2008 through December 2011, postparameter dosing (post-PD) was initiated, were compared to SRITs that occurred from January 2005 to July 2008 with preparameter dosing (pre-PD) using 1:50 as a maintenance concentrate. Results A total of 269 SRITs occurred in a 7-year period. Significantly more post-PD SRITs (131 of 38,548 injections) occurred than pre-PD SRITs (132 of 52,833 injections) (0.34% vs 0.25%, P = .01). However, when excluding 44 SRITs that occurred in established pre-PD patients transitioned to post-PD, there was no significant difference in SRIT rate (0.25% vs 0.22%), World Allergy Organization (WAO) grade, or SRIT time to onset. Nonred (non-1:1) vials accounted for a significantly larger proportion of all post-PD SRITs compared with all pre-PD SRITs (50.7% vs 31.1%, adjusted P = .009). Prior SRITs were reported less frequently among persons with post-PD SRITs (29.2% vs 70.8%, adjusted P = .009). In an adjusted logistic regression model, male sex (odds ratio, 7.9; 95% CI, 2.4-26) and longer time to reaction onset (odds ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.99) were associated with higher WAO severity grade reactions. Conclusion Pre-PD vs post-PD SRIT rates were not significantly different, adjusting for patients transitioned from established pre-PD to post-PD. This finding suggests that post-PD is as safe as pre-PD. Male sex and faster time to reaction onset were associated with higher WAO grade reactions.
Multicultural Assessment: Reexamination, Reconceptualization, and Practical Application

Current suggestions for assessing clients across cultures fail to adequately aid the average practitioner This failure arises from unresolved issues and problems, interfering with the ability of most counselors and therapists to render sound clinical judgments. In response to these issues and problems, a procedure is described that sensitizes counselors to cultural data in assessment and case conceptualization. Grounded in a guiding philosophy of assessment, the Multicultural Assessment Procedure (MAP) was developed in consideration of a number of relevant critical issues. The procedure entails identifying cultural data through multiple methods of data collection, interpreting cultural data to formulate a working hypothesis, incorporating cultural data with other relevant clinical information to test the working hypothesis, and arriving at a sound (i.e., comprehensive and accurate) assessment decision. A case illustration demonstrates how to use the proposed procedure.
What we should teach, but don't: proposal for cross pollinated HCI-SE curriculum

Software engineering (SE) and usability engineering (UE), as disciplines, have reached substantial levels of maturity. Each of these two disciplines is now well represented with respect to most computer science (CS) curricula. However, the two disciplines are practiced almost independently - missing opportunities to collaborate, coordinate and communicate about the overall design - and thereby contributing to system failures. Today, a confluence of several ingredients contribute to these failures: the increasing importance of the user interface (UI) component in the overall system, the independent maturation of the human computer interaction area, and the lack of a cohesive process model to integrate the UI experts usability engineering (UE) development efforts with that of software engineering (SE). This in turn, we believe, is a result of a void in computing curricula: a lack of education and training regarding the importance of communication, collaboration and coordination between the SE and UE processes. In this paper we describe the current approach to teaching SE and UE and its shortcomings. We identify and analyze the barriers and issues involved in developing systems having substantial interactive components. We then propose four major themes of learning for a comprehensive computing curriculum integrating SE, UE, and system architectures in a project environment.
Evaluation of neopentane-deuterium exchange on Pt/Al2O3 as a probe for physical phenomena

The deuterium exchange of neopentane over PtAl2O3 was investigated in a batch recirculation reactor and found to exhibit many characteristics previously found for this reaction over PdSiO2Al2O3. All of the data could be correlated in terms of two parameters—k, the surface rate constant and β, the desorption parameter. The parameter β was less dependent upon k for the Pt catalyst than for Pd catalysts. Specific activity was not influenced by Pt dispersion; whereas selectivity was mildly sensitive to Pt dispersion.
Service Learning as a Transition into Foundation Field

Service learning is a pedagogical method to bridge classroom and community experiences for students. Although social work education has historically emphasized this connection through internship experiences, service learning can fill a different function within the curriculum. This article proposes a service learning experience to assist graduate students with the transition into their foundation field placement. Beneficial outcomes of using service learning as an educational bridge are discussed for students, faculty, and the social work program.
Objective and subjective hearing aid assessment outcomes.

Purpose To determine whether specific sentence recognition assessments were sensitive enough to serve as objective outcome measurements that document subjective improvements in speech understanding...
Mouth Guards for the Prevention of Injuries in Contact Sports

There has been a significant increase in the number of individuals participating in contact sports. As a result, every effort must be made to provide the athletes with protection against mouth injuries. In this review the use, construction and benefits of mouthguards in all sports has been described. There is unanimous opinion attesting to the benefits of such protective drrices and in those sports where the athlete is required to wear a mouth-guard, a dramatic decrease in the number and severity of injuries has been reported. Custom-fitted mouth guards should be used in many sports that do not already have a compulsory rule requiring their use. Physicians, dentists, trainers and coaches need to be educated on the data supporting the benefits described. Studies on performance enhancement as a result of mandibular orthopaedic repositioning appliances have also been reviewed. Long term studies are required to assess the claims of ergogenic enhancement utilising proper study design. Current evidence exists relating to the effects of psychological phenomena on athletic performance, and it is believed the placebo effect contributes to the findings of performance improvement.
On the Coalition-Proofness of the Pareto Frontier of the Set of Nash Equilibria☆

Abstract This article shows that the Pareto efficient frontier of the Nash equilibrium set of games with strategic substitutes is coalition-proof under the following conditions: (1) the game has three players, or, alternatively, a player's payoff depends on her own strategy and on the sum (but not on the composition) of other players' strategies; (2) an increase in a player's strategy either raises all other players' payoffs monotonically or reduces them monotonically; and (3) each player's payoff is strictly concave in her own strategy. Under these conditions, the Pareto dominance refinement is equivalent to the coalition-proof Nash equilibrium refinement. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: C72.
Training and Mentoring of Chemists: A Study of Gender Disparity

This study was conducted to compare women’s and men’s retrospective perceptions of the mentoring they received during their training and career development in chemistry. Participants were 455 graduates (135 women) who received doctoral degrees from 11 top US chemistry programs over a 5-year period (1988–1992). In 2003, graduates completed surveys of undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral, and initial employment experiences. In line with Social Cognitive Career Theory (Lent et al., Journal of Vocational Behavior 45:79–122, 1994), which posits that perceptions of barriers can affect career decisions, results suggest that women perceived that they received less mentoring than men at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral levels of training, likely related to gender differences in eventual career success. Possible interventions at the individual and institutional levels are discussed.
Organizational Capital and Joining-up: Linking the Individual to the Organization and to Society

Do employees ever make efforts on behalf of their employing organization's interests or fellow employees' interests when it is not in their direct self-interest to do so? By drawing on organizational behavior literature relating to the joining-up process, organizational commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior, and integrating these insights with economic theory, this article provides a new explanation of why employees' efforts are typically suboptimal and what organizational activities can resolve this problem. The key variable explaining whether organization members behave responsibly or not is the presence of organizational capital formed either during the joining-up process or in preparation for it.
Analysis of one-buffer deflection routing in ultra-fast optical mesh networks

The steady-state behavior of regular two-connected multihop networks in homogeneous load under hot-potato and single-buffer deflection routing is analyzed for ultra-fast optical applications. The Manhattan street network and ShuffleNet are compared in terms of throughput, delay, and deflection probability both analytically and by simulation. It is analytically verified that single-buffer deflection routing recovers in both networks more than 60% of the throughput loss of hot-potato with respect to store-and-forward when packets are generated with independent destinations. This gain, however, decreases to below 40% when the average message length exceeds 20 packets. >