cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Travel Time Reliability Measures to Improve Regional Transportation Planning and Operations

Estimation of travel time is of increasing importance to travelers and transportation professionals alike as congestion worsens in major urban areas. In fact, the reliability of travel time estimates on a given corridor may be more important for travelers, shippers, and transport managers than the travel time itself. This paper examines the uses of measured travel time reliability indices for improving real-time transportation management and traveler information with the use of archived intelligent transportation system data. A literature review of travel time reliability and its value as a congestion measure is followed by a description of a content analysis of 20 regional transportation plans from across the nation. Results from the content analysis indicate that travel time reliability is not currently used as a congestion measure and that the most common measures of congestion are the volume-to-capacity ratio, vehicle hours of delay, and mean speed. As a case study using data from Portland, Oregon, se...
Two-, three-, and four-photon-pumped stimulated cavityless lasing properties of ten stilbazolium-dyes solutions

Two-, three-, and four-photon-pumped stimulated emission (cavityless lasing) properties of ten novel stilbazolium dyes in solution phase have been comprehensively studied. These newly synthesized multiphoton active dye compounds have the same molecular backbone but differ either in their electron donors or in their electron acceptors and can be utilized to generate highly directional stimulated emissions over a broad visible spectral range (from 490 to 618 nm) under multiphoton-pump conditions. The pump source was a powerful Ti:sapphire oscillator-amplifier system associated with an optical-parametric generator, which could specifically provide ∼160 fs duration and ∼775, 1320, and 1890 nm laser pulses for two-, three-, and four-photon excitation, respectively. The spectral, spatial, and temporal properties as well as the efficiency of multiphoton-pumped lasing output from different dye-solution samples have been studied. Based on the measured results, two salient features have been found: (i) the threshold pump-energy values for two-, three-, and four-photon-pumped lasing were quite close (within a factor of 3-4); and (ii) there was an obvious wavelength difference (10-30 nm) between the forward and backward lasing output under three- and four-photon-pump conditions.
Historical patterns of river stage and fish communities as criteria for operations of dams on the Illinois river

The hydrologic regime of the Illinois River has been altered over the past 100 years. Locks and dams regulate water surface elevations and flow, enabling commercial navigation to continue year round. This study relates changes in water surface elevation to fish abundance in the river, and establishes target criteria for operating locks and dams. Using long-term records of daily river stage, we identified ecologically meaningful hydrological parameters for eight gage locations along the Illinois River. Inter-annual variability of a long-term fisheries dataset beginning in 1957 was related to variability in stage, flood and recession duration, frequency, timing, and rate of change of water levels. Reversals in water surface elevation, maximum stage levels, and length of the spring flood were the most important parameters influencing abundance of age-zero fishes in annual collections. Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunneins), and white bass (Morone chrysops) were most abundant in samples during years that approximated the natural water level regime. Of the 33 hydrologic parameters evaluated for the entire water year from an Illinois River gage site on La Grange Reach, all except average stage in January and Julian date (JD) of maximum stage had moderate or high hydrologic alteration based on the historical range of variation (RVA). The highest degree of hydrologic alteration was for minimum stage levels (1-day, 3-day, and 7-day), rate-of-rise, and rate-of-fall. Other parameters that have been severely altered were 30-day minimum stage, 90-day maximum stage, and the annual number of water level reversals. Operations of the La Grange and Peoria locks and dams could be modified so water level variability would approximate that of the late 1800s, when fish and wildlife resources were abundant. The water regime could be regulated to maintain navigation and improve conditions for native plants and animals without increasing flood damages. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tracking large-scale latitudinal patterns of δ13C and δ15N along the E Pacific using epi-mesopelagic squid as indicators

Because consumers integrate components of their habitat through diet over time and space, stable isotope ratios from animal tissues can track spatial variation in baseline values across marine systems. To understand large-scale geographic patterns in the eastern Pacific ocean, muscle δ13C and δ15N from epi-mesopelagic squid (n = 404) were collected from 39° S to 53° N and analyzed in relation to hemisphere, latitude, geographic area and current systems. Geographic patterns were controlled for effects of secondary factors such as squid size, species (Dosidicus gigas and Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis), tissue and year of collection. Joint latitudinal variation of δ13C and δ15N was also described for the first time. Both δ13C and δ15N, as well as the standardized difference between them, had distinct patterns by latitude. δ13C was the highest at 22°S and decreased north and south of that latitude, with lower values at mid-northern latitudes than near the equator. δ15N had the lowest values near the equator and gradually increased towards mid-latitudes. The standardized difference between δ13C and δ15N was highest (C was higher relative to N) near the equator and declined to mid-latitudes. Overall, the δ13C and δ15N geographic patterns agreed with previous studies for δ15N from surface NO3−, but not for δ13C in plankton, POM and squid. We suggest that the biochemical processes for carbon and nitrogen are spatially more variable than what has previously been reported because squid isotope ratios varied also among current systems and geographic areas. These geographic patterns in δ13C and δ15N, indicated by consumers such as cephalopods, could improve our understanding about the interaction between the carbon and nitrogen cycle and the heterogeneity in biochemical cycling processes in marine systems.
Cognitive Differences Between Procedural Programming and Object Oriented Programming

Software development is moving from procedural programming towards object-oriented programming (OOP). Past studies in cognitive aspects of programming have focused primarily on procedural programming languages. Object-oriented programming is a new paradigm for computing. Industry is finding that programmers are having difficulty shifting to this new programming paradigm. Findings in prior research revealed that procedural programming requires Piaget's formal operation cognitive level. New from this research is that OOP also requires Piaget's formal operation cognitive level. Also new is that OOP appears to be unrelated to hemispheric cognitive style. OOP appears to be hemispheric style friendly, while procedural programming is preferential to left hemispheric cognitive style. The conclusion is that cognitive requirements are not the cause for the difficulty in shifting from procedural to OOP. An alternative possibility to the difficulty is proactive interference of learning procedural programming prior to learning object oriented programming.
Stimulus recognition in aural paired-associate learning

Aural paired-associates were learned by the study-test method. On test trials, the study-trials stimuli were randomly intermixed among new stimuli and the Ss, prior to responding, had to indicate whether the presented stimulus was old or new. It was found that correct responding was contingent upon stimulus recognition, and that correct responding given nonrecognition of the stimulus was at the chance level.
Macromolecular Crystal Annealing: Overcoming Increased Mosaicity Associated with Cryocrystallography

Although cryogenic data collection has become the method of choice for macromolecular crystallography, the flash-cooling step can dramatically increase the mosaicity of some crystals. Macromolecular crystal annealing significantly reduces the mosaicity of flash-cooled crystals without affecting molecular structure. The process, which cycles a flash-cooled crystal to ambient temperature and back to cryogenic temperature, is simple, quick and requires no special equipment. The annealing process has been applied to crystals of several different macromolecules grown from different precipitants and using a variety of cryoprotectants. The protocol for macromolecular crystal annealing also has been applied to restore diffraction from flash-cooled crystals that were mishandled during transfer to or from cryogenic storage. These results will be discussed in relation to crystal mosaicity and effects of radiation damage in flash-cooled crystals.
Cytogeography of achillea millefolium in Western Oregon

A cytogeographic study was made of the tetraploid and hexaploid forms ofAchillea millefolium L. in western Oregon in order to clarify their distributions, to determine whether pentaploid hybrids are present at zones of contact between the two, and to correlate environmental conditions with the presence of the tetraploid in the coastal areas of Coos and Curry Counties, Oregon. The distributional pattern of the two chromosome forms was found to be more complex than previously reported, involving overlapping of ranges, the occurrence of mixed populations, and the presence of disjunct populations of one form in areas occupied by the other. A naturally occurring pentaploid hybrid with meiotic pairing of 18 II’s and 9 I’s was found, which could not be distinguished morphologically from the presumed parents. The coastal tetraploid form in southwestern Oregon is limited to the Siskiyou Mountains. Plants of this area, especially those at its geographical margins, were observed to be producing a large number of viable, unreduced pollen grains. It is suggested that the North American hexaploid form originated by autopolyploidy from earlier existing tetraploids.
Seasonal coupling between ciliate and phytoplankton standing stocks in the South Slough of Coos Bay, Oregon

The standing stocks of ciliates and phytoplankton together with physical variables (temperature and density) were measured biweekly from March 6, 1999, to March 22, 2000, in the marine-dominated region of the South Slough, the southern arm of the Coos Bay estuary (Oregon, United States). The abundance and biomass of naked ciliates correlated significantly with phytoplankton 5 μm phytoplankton fraction from diatoms in the spring-summer period to flagellates during this fall-winter period. Temperature could explain 49% of the variation of ultraphytoplankton and naked ciliate biomass across seasons and may be important in determining the rate of the ciliate numerical response to increases in ultraphytoplankton and its assimilation into ciliate biomass. High standing stocks of ciliates, their strong coupling with ultraphytoplankton across seasons, and the relatively higher contribution of ciliate carbon to the ciliate and >5 μm phytoplankton carbon pool in the October–March period suggest that ciliates are a significant component to the South Slough food web and may be particularly important during seasons of reduced phytoplankton biomass.
“NEUTRAL PHYSIOGNOMY”: THE UNREADABLE FACES OF MIDDLEMARCH

Mr. Brooke himself has already been described by the narrator as having a “neutral physiognomy,” and that neutrality itself identified as one of few “striking points in his appearance” (503). Part of the effigy's menace, clearly, is its uncanny similarity to the original. As described, however, the effigy is unlikely to be a piece of skilled imitative craftsmanship; indeed, it is the very shoddiness of the thing that makes it eerie. Unlike the banality and apparent harmlessness of this vaguely empty caricature, a rag-doll in waistcoat and monocle, the “parrot-like, Punch-voiced echo of [Mr. Brooke's] words” threatens because it offers no legible meaning, instead forcing interpretive agency onto the reader. Indeed, the “neutral physiognomy” must foreground interpretive agency, otherwise it would be impossible for a non-trait such as neutrality, either in Brooke or in his effigy, to be a “striking point” at all.
Neurokinin receptors subserving bronchoconstriction

Les premiers sous-types de recepteurs de tachykinines ont ete definis en utilisant des rapports de puissance d'agonistes pour les ligands endogenes substance P (SP), neurokinine A (NKA) et neurokinine B (NKB). Ceci a permis de suggerer l'existence de trois sous-types de recepteurs de tachykinines, appeles NK 1 , NK 2 et NK 3 . La SP est plus puissante au niveau des recepteurs NK 1 , la NKA au niveau des recepteurs NK 2 et la NKB au niveau des recepteurs NK 3 . Recemment, des analogues des ligands endogenes presentant une plus grande selectivite (s'etablissant autour d'un facteur 1000) pour les differents sous-types de recepteurs ont ete elabores. Des antagonistes selectifs, qui sont soit des non-peptides, soit des peptides modifies, pour les sous-types de recepteurs ont aussi ete elabores. Cette breve revision portera essentiellement sur l'abondance des nouvelles connaissances sur les sous-types de recepteurs de tachykinines favorisant la bronchoconstriction chez plusieurs especes de mammiferes, incluant l'homme, connaissances que l'on doit a l'utilisation de ces agonistes et antagonistes selectifs.
Hydroboration of (m-H)(2)Os(3)(CO)(10): Formation of the Borylidyne Cluster (m-H)(2)Os(3)(CO)(9)(m-H)(2)BH. An Improved Synthesis of (m-H)(3)Os(3)(CO)(9)(m(3)-BCO).

At room temperature, the reaction of (m-H)(2)Os(3)(CO)(10) with BH(3)S(CH(3))(2) produces the new borylidyne cluster (m-H)(2)Os(3)(CO)(9)(m-H)(2)BH, a methylidyne cluster analog. At 65 degrees C the previously reported ketenylidene cluster analog (m-H)(3)Os(3)(CO)(9)(m(3)-BCO) is formed. The complex (m-H)(2)Os(3)(CO)(9)(m-H)(2)BH was characterized by (1)H NMR, (11)B NMR, and infrared spectroscopies as well as mass spectrometry. Its molecular structure was determined from a single-crystal X-ray analysis. The molecule is of approximate C(s)() symmetry. It consists of a tetrahedral Os(3)B core with a terminal B-H bond, two Os-H-B, hydrogen bridge bonds, and three Os(CO)(3) units. A similar structure has been proposed for one of the isomers of a ruthenium analog, (m-H)(2)Ru(3)(CO)(9)(m-H)(2)BH, but it differs from the related iron complex (m-H)Fe(3)(CO)(9)(m-H)(3)BH which has three Fe-H-B bridge bonds. Crystal data for (m-H)(2)Os(3)(CO)(9)(m-H)(2)BH: triclinic space group Po, a = 9.501(4) A, b = 9.525(4) A, c = 10.070(2) A, alpha = 87.72(3) beta = 88.32(3) degrees, gamma = 61.45(3) degrees, Z = 2.
Millimeter- and submillimeter-wave transmission and dielectric properties of radome materials

Transmission, absorption coefficient, refractive index, real and imaginary parts of dielectric permittivity and loss tangent spectra of polytetrafluorethylene (teflon), Gore-Tex and another teflon based radome memebrane materials are presented as a continuous function of frequency over the range 60-2,400 GHz (5 mm-0.125 mm in wavelength). The new data are better resolved and cover a much wider frequency range. The transmission reduces significantly with increasing frequency for most radomes. The absorption coefficient or loss tangent values increase almost exponentially with increasing frequency for all these radome materials. The refractive index or the real part of permittivity values are alomst similar to teflon since these radomes are teflon based.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Predicting smoking status in a college-age population.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that predict smoking group membership in a college-age population. Design: A nonexperimental cross-sectional design was used to examine factors that distinguished among four groups: never established (n = 591), former (n = 41), nondaily (n = 80), and daily (n = 76) cigarette smokers. Sample: A pencil and paper questionnaire was returned by 788 randomly selected college students, 18–24 years of age. Results: Significant differences were found among the groups on their mothers', fathers', siblings', and peers' smoking behaviors and attitudes toward smoking. The nondaily and daily smoking groups reported a greater number of risk behaviors than the never established and former smoking groups. The two groups of current smokers also were more likely to report an increased level of depressive symptoms compared with the nonsmoking groups. The number of high school and college friends who smoke and self-reported high-risk alcohol and drug behaviors predicted smoking group membership in a polytomous logistic regression. Conclusions: Strategies to alter the social environment and decrease the exposure of nonsmoking students to others who model smoking behaviors may help decrease smoking initiation and prevent relapse on college campuses.
Full observation of single-atom dynamics in cavity QED

We report the use of broadband heterodyne spectroscopy to perform continuous measurement of the interaction energy Eint between one atom and a high-finesse optical cavity, during individual transit events of ≈250 μs duration. We achieve a fractional sensitivity ≈4×10-4/ to variations in Eint/? within a measurement bandwidth that covers 2.5 decades of frequency (1–300 kHz). Our basic procedure is to drop cold cesium atoms into the cavity from a magnetooptic trap while monitoring the cavity’s complex optical susceptibility with a weak probe laser. The instantaneous value of the atom–cavity interaction energy, which in turn determines the coupled system’s optical susceptibility, depends on both the atomic position and (Zeeman) internal state. Measurements over a wide range of atom–cavity detunings reveal the transition from resonant to dispersive coupling, via the transfer of atom-induced signals from the amplitude to the phase of light transmitted through the cavity. By suppressing all sources of excess technical noise, we approach a measurement regime in which the broadband photocurrent may be interpreted as a classical record of conditional quantum evolution in the sense of recently developed quantum trajectory theories.
Improvement of Gastric Motility with Gastric Electrical Stimulation in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats

Aims: The aims of this study were to observe whether gastric motility was impaired in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and whether gastric electrical stimulation was able to restore the impaired motility. Methods: Ten control rats and 30 STZ-induced diabetic rats were used in this study. Gastric slow waves were recorded at baseline and 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the injection of STZ or vehicle. Gastric emptying with (long or short pulses) or without gastric electrical stimulation was measured 6 weeks after STZ injection in a group of 10 diabetic rats each. Results: (1) STZ injection resulted in hyperglycemia and weight loss. (2) Gastric motility was impaired in the diabetic rats. The percentage of normal slow waves was progressively reduced 2 weeks after STZ injection. Compared with the control rats, gastric emptying in the diabetic rats was significantly delayed 6 weeks after STZ injection (60 ± 3 vs. 79 ± 2%, p Conclusion: Our data show that gastric motility is impaired in STZ-induced diabetic rats as reflected by a progressive reduction in the percentage of normal gastric slow waves and delayed gastric emptying. Moreover, here we show that gastric electrical stimulation normalizes delayed gastric emptying in diabetic rats and this normalization is not attributed to the effect of gastric electrical stimulation on gastric slow waves.
Heterologous HA DNA vaccine prime - inactivated influenza vaccine boost is more effective than using DNA or inactivated vaccine alone in eliciting antibody responses against H1 or H3 serotype influenza viruses

The trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV) is used to prevent seasonal influenza virus infection in humans, however, the immunogenicity of this vaccine may be influenced by the priming effect of previous influenza vaccinations or exposure to antigenically related influenza viruses. The current study examines the immunogenicity of a clinically licensed TIV in rabbits naive to influenza antigens. Animals were immunized with either the licensed TIV, a bivalent (H1 and H3) HA DNA vaccine or the combination of both. Temporal and peak level serum anti-influenza virus IgG responses were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Functional antibody responses were measured by hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization against either A/NewCaledonia//20/99 (H1N1) or A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2) influenza viruses. Our results demonstrate that the immunogenicity of the TIV is low in sero-negative animals. More significantly, the heterologous DNA prime-TIV boost regimen was more immunogenic than the homologous prime-boost using either TIV or DNA vaccines alone. This finding justifies further investigation of HA DNA vaccines as a priming immunogen for the next generation of vaccines against seasonal or pandemic influenza virus infections.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE: MIXED LOGIT APPROACH

A mixed logit approach was used to investigate the relationship between routine maintenance and pavement performance. A discrete model was developed to examine how pavement performance levels affect the probability of performing maintenance on pavement sections. Another continuous model was formulated to investigate the effect of maintenance on the level of pavement performance. Maintenance was considered a discrete event representing a binary choice of its being performed on a pavement section or not. Pavement performance levels were represented by roughness numbers. Other variables included were pavement thickness, pavement loading, and a regional factor. Pavement thickness was assumed to represent initial construction, and traffic loadings were in the form of equivalent single-axle loads. The regional factor represented the weather and climatic differences between the northern and southern regions. A two-stage procedure was applied to evaluate the mixed logit approach. The data from the Interstate highways in Indiana for 1984 to 1985 were used for model estimation. The mixed logit approach produced much better results than the single-equation method in specifying the models in terms of coefficient signs and their significances. The results confirmed that pavement roughness was affected by maintenance and that the decision to undertake maintenance was influenced by the expected level of pavement roughness.
Flow and Heat Transfer Measurements Along a Cooled Supersonic Diffuser

An experimental investigtion was conducted to ascertain the mean flowfield, including shock wave structure, separated flow regions, turbulent boundary-layer growth, static pressure variations, wall heat transfer, and shear stresses in a second-throat, axisymmetric, supersonic diffuser with wall cooling. The diffuser inlet Mach number of the heated air flow was 3.76, the stagnation pressure was 6.8 atm, the ratio of wall to total gas temperature was 0.44, and the diffuser discharged to the atmosphere. The complex flowfield involved deceleration and acceleration regions, supersonic and embedded subsonic regions, and strong viscous regions with relatively large radial and axial variations. The heat transfer and wall static pressure distributions were remarkably similar, and heat transfer rates were high locally at oblique shock/turbulent boundary-layer interactions, in the pseudoshock region, and in the separation region in the diffuser outlet section.
Fire effects on the spatial patterning of soil properties in sagebrush steppe, USA: a meta-analysis

Understanding effects of changes in ecological disturbance regimes on soil properties, and capacity of soil properties to resist disturbance, is important for assessing ecological condition. In this meta-analysis, we examined the resilienceofsurfacesoilpropertiesandtheirspatialpatterningtodisturbancebyfireinsagebrushsteppeofNorthAmerica- a biome currently experiencing increases in wildfire due to climate change. We reviewed 39 studies that reported on soil properties forsagebrush steppewith distinctmicrosite (undershruband interspace) patterning that was or was not recently burned. We estimated microsite effects for 21 soil properties and examined the effect of burning on microsite effects during the first year post-fire, before the re-establishment of vegetation. Results indicated that the spatial patterning of biogeochemical resources, in which soil surfaces beneath shrubs are enriched, is resilient to burning. However, microsite effects for soil-surface hydrologic, temperature and erosion characteristics appeared to shift following burning. These shifts appear to create a negative feedback for the spatial patterning of soil properties before vegetation recovery. Relatively long (decades-centuries) historic fire intervals in sagebrush steppe ecosystems likely reinforce spatial patterning of soil resources. However, increased fire frequency might affect the ability for soil resources to withstand change. Additional keywords: Artemisia tridentata, cold desert, microsite, resilience, resistance, review, shrub, wildfire.
Neutron driven fusion

Abstract In the present work, we examine a beam of neutrons incident on a layered array of single-crystal Li 6 D , for possible fusion interactions. Two processes are examined: relatively high-energy neutron processes and low energy, ‘ 1 / v ’ neutron processes. The yield of the low energy ‘ 1 / v ’ neutron process gives the output power W ≳ 1.1 MW . A method for moderating the output as well as a technique of extracting energy from the device are described as well. A discussion is included on effects due to neutron reflection in the spaces between slabs.
High efficiency midrange wireless power transfer system

Wireless power transfer systems using near-field magnetic coupling are attractive as they allow power transfer with high efficiency and do not require an unobstructed path between transmitter and receiver. In this work a two coil wireless power transmission system is analyzed, including the driving amplifier, and a demonstration system is built and characterized. The system achieves 76% efficiency for a distance of 1 meter for 40W transferred power. The effects of changes to the geometry of the system (pitch angle of coils, separation distance) are also examined, and the effect on amplifier topologies analyzed.
Stomatal conductance and transpirational responses of field-grown cotton to ozone

Abstract Stomatal conductance and transpiration were measured on normally-irrigated (NI) and water-stressed (WS) field-grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) exposed throughout the growing season to a gradient of ozone (O3) concentrations. Environmental conditions during the growing season strongly affected stomatal responses and yield reductions due to O3 exposure. Maximum stomatal conductance and transpiration decreased with increased O3 concentration both in NI and WS treatments. Maximum conductance in severely O3-stressed plants averaged 30% lower than charcoal-filtered (control) plants, but maximum transpiration was only 17% lower. Conductance in WS plots averaged 22% lower than in NI plots but transpiration rates were the same in both treatments. Yield reductions induced by O3 were highly correlated (r2= 0.84) with daily transpiration. Stomata of O3-stressed plants opened and closed at the same rate as control plants in response to changes in light intensity, suggesting that the mechanism of stomatal movement had not been impaired by exposure to O3. Reductions in conductance and transpiration in O3-stressed plants were attributed to inhibition of photosynthesis by O3, leading to accumulation of CO2 in intercellular spaces.
The dynamic capability equations: a new tool for analyzing robotic manipulator performance

Dynamic capability equations (DCE) provide a new description of robot acceleration and force capabilities. These refer to a manipulator's ability to accelerate its end-effector and to apply forces to the environment at the end-effector. The key features in the development of these equations are that they combine the analysis of end-effector accelerations, velocities, and forces, while addressing the difference in units between translational and rotational quantities. The equations describe the magnitudes of translational and rotational acceleration and force guaranteed to be achievable in every direction, from a particular configuration, given the limitations on the manipulator's motor torques. They also describe the effect of velocities on these capabilities contributed by the Coriolis and centrifugal forces, as well as the reduction of actuator torque capacity due to motor speed. This article focuses on nonredundant manipulators with as many actuators as degrees of freedom.
Determination of Doxorubicin in Plasma and Urine by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Electrochemical Detection (HPLC-EC). Application to the Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Doxorubicin in Patients with Osteogenic Sarcoma

Abstract A simple and rapid method for the determination of doxorubicin in plasma and urine by HPLC-EC is described. The method is accurate and precise and the limits of detection are 1 ng/ml for plasma and 10 ng/ml for urine. The method requires only l Ml of sample which is important in its application to clinical studies in infants and adolescents, since the amount of plasma is limited and a large number of samples are needed to define the pharmacokinetic parameters accurately. Both coulometric and amperometric were evaluated and the latter was preferred on the basis of detector selectivity. The methodology was applied to a pharmacokinetic study of doxorubicin given to patinets with osteogenic sarcoma. This study revealed that the disposition of doxorubicin in plasma and urine changes with repetitive dosing. Epidoxorubicin was used as an internal standard and the technique should be equally applicable to the analysis of this drug since the detector response and limits of detection were the same for both...
Mutations in LAMB2 causing a severe form of synaptic congenital myasthenic syndrome.

Background: We describe a severe form of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) associated with congenital nephrosis and ocular malformations caused by two truncating mutations in the gene encoding the laminin β2 subunit ( LAMB2 ). Methods and results: Mutational analysis in the affected patient, who has a history of a serious untoward reaction to treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibition, revealed two frame-shifting heteroallelic mutations, a maternally inherited 1478delG and a paternally inherited 4804delC . An anconeus muscle biopsy demonstrated a profound distortion of the architecture and function of the neuromuscular junction, which was strikingly similar to that seen in mice lacking laminin β2 subunit. The findings included: pronounced reduction of the axon terminal size with encasement of the nerve endings by Schwann cells, severe widening of the primary synaptic cleft and invasion of the synaptic space by the processes of Schwann cells, and moderate simplification of postsynaptic folds and intact expression of the endplate acetylcholinesterase. The endplate potential quantal content was notably reduced, while the frequencies and amplitudes of miniature endplate potentials were only moderately diminished and the decay phases of miniature endplate potentials were normal. Western blot analysis of muscle and kidney tissue and immunohistochemistry of kidney tissue showed no laminin β2 expression. Conclusion: This case, which represents a new type of synaptic CMS, exemplifies the wide variability of phenotypes associated with LAMB2 mutations and underscores the fundamental role that laminin β2 plays in the development of the human neuromuscular junction.
Antiviral resistance: mechanisms, clinical significance, and future implications

The increased awareness of antiviral resistance over the past decade has paralleled the development of new antiviral agents. While such resistant viral isolates are of clinical significance primarily in immunocompromised individuals, the development and transmission of such mutants have been reported in immunocompetent persons as well. As antiviral agents are increasingly utilised by the clinician, the incidence of such occurrences is likely to increase. Issues relating to mechanisms of antiviral resistance, clinical manifestations and significance of resistance, and implications for future antiviral development and utilisation are reviewed in this article. Viruses that are discussed include herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, influenza A virus, and human immunodeficiency virus.
Two approaches for the improvement in testability of communication protocols

Protocols have grown larger and more complex with the advent of computer and communication technologies. As a result, the task of conformance testing of protocol implementation has also become more complex. The study of design for testability (DFT) is a research area in which researchers investigate design principles that will help to overcome the ever increasing complexity of testing distributed systems. Testability metrics are essential for evaluating and comparing designs. In a previous paper, we introduce a new metric for testability of communication protocols, based on the detection probability of a default. We demonstrate the usefulness of the metric for identifying faults there are more difficult to detect. In this paper, we present two approaches for improved testing of a protocol implementation once those faults that are difficult to detect are identified.
Expression of CD44, E-cadherin, and antimetastatic protein nm23-H1 in complete hydatidiform moles

Abstract Introduction. There is scant information about the expression of CD44 and E-cadherin, two cell adhesion molecules, and the antimetastatic protein nm23-H1, in complete hydatidiform moles. We measured the expression of these markers to determine their usefulness in predicting the development of invasive disease. Materials and methods. We performed a retrospective study of 27 patients with complete hydatidiform moles, collecting clinical information including the patient's age, pre-evacuation hCG level, pathology, hCG monitoring, and the development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Immunohistochemical staining for CD44, E-cadherin, and nm23-H1 was performed. CD44 expression was classified as positive or negative. For E-cadherin and nm23-H1, the intensity of expression was graded on a 0 to 3 scale. Chi-square or Fisher's exact testing was used to evaluate the relationship between these markers and the development of invasive disease. Results. CD44 was expressed in 26% of cases. E-cadherin expression was 1+, 2+, and 3+in 8%, 33%, and 59% of cases, respectively. Nm23-H1 expression was 1+, 2+, and 3+in 4%, 11%, and 85% of cases. The risk of developing invasive disease did not correlate with the expression of CD44, E-cadherin, or nm23-H1. Conclusion. In this preliminary study, there is no relationship between CD44, E-cadherin, and nm23-H1 expression in complete hydatidiform moles and the risk of invasive disease. Other molecular markers predictive of invasive disease should be sought to limit hCG surveillance to those at risk.
Workers' compensation: Poor quality health care and the growing disability problem in the United States

The proportion of working age citizens permanently removed from the workforce has dramatically increased over the past 30 years, straining both Federal and State disability systems designed as a safety net to protect them. Almost one-third of these rapidly emerging disabilities are related to musculoskeletal disorders, and three of the top five diagnoses associated with the longest Years Lived with Disability are back, neck and other musculoskeletal disorders. The failure of Federal and state workers' compensation systems to provide effective health care to treat non-catastrophic injuries has been largely overlooked as a principal source of permanent disablement and corresponding reduced labor force participation. Innovations in workers' compensation health care delivery, and in use of evidence-based coverage methods such as prospective utilization review, are effective secondary prevention efforts that, if more widely adopted, could substantially prevent avoidable disability and provide more financial stability for disability safety net programs.
Clinical Characteristics, Comorbidities, and Response to Treatment of Veterans With Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 2005-2007

Polysomnography demonstrated OSA in 76% of patients; 30% had mild OSA, 23% moderate OSA, and 47% severe OSA. Increasing body mass index, neck circumference, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and type 2 diabetes correlated with increasing OSA severity. Positive airway pressure treatment was initiated in 81% of veterans with OSA, but only 59% reported good adherence to this treatment method. Of the patients reporting good adherence, a greater proportion of those with severe OSA (27%) than with mild or moderate disease (0%-12%) reported an excellent response to treatment. Conclusion The prevalence of metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities increased with increasing OSA severity. Only 59% of treated patients reported good adherence to treatment with positive airway pressure, and response to treatment correlated with OSA severity.
Magnetic-field fluctuations from 0 to 26 Hz observed from a polar-orbiting satellite

Data from the Viking magnetic-field experiment are described which demonstrate the diverse types of magnetic fluctuations which may be observed from a polar-orbiting satellite. The Viking observations provide an opportunity to observe Pc 1 waves at middle-latitudes above the ionosphere and to determine the spectral structure and polarization of the waves. ULF/ELF broadband noise represents a second type of magnetic fluctuation measured by Viking. This type of magnetic fluctuation was observed at high latitudes near the polar cusp and may be useful in the identification of polar-cusp boundaries. Thirdly, electromagnetic ion-cyclotron waves have also been observed in the polar-cusp region. These waves occur only during an unusually high level of magnetic activity and appear toe be generated locally. >
Disaggregating The Indo- and African-Caribbean Migration and Settlement Experience in Canada

AbstractUsing the 1996 Public Use Microfiche files of the Canadian Census and life story data from 30 cases collected from a 1998 CERIS-funded research project, this article disaggregates the migration and settlement story for Indo- and African-Caribbean migrants living in Canada. Findings from this research suggest that a significant difference exists in the immigration pattern, living arrangements, family structures, and material values for Indo- and African- Caribbeans resident in Canada. Much of the previous research has neglected this significant heterogeneity within the Caribbean immigrant community in Canada. As a result, Caribbean migration to Canada since the late 1960s tends to only be known from an African-Caribbean perspective.
A fine-grained MIMD architecture based upon register channels

This paper discusses the use of shared register channels as a data exchange mechanism among processors in a fine-grained MIMD system with a load/store architecture. A register channel is provided with a synchronization bit that is used to ensure that a processor succeeds in reading a channel only after a value has been written to the channel. The instructions supported by this load/store architecture allow both registers and register channels to be used as operand sources and result destinations. Conditional load, store, and move instructions are provided to allow processors to exchange values through channels in presence of aliasing caused by array references. Compiler support required to take proper advantage of channels is briefly discussed. In contrast to a VLIW machine a system with channels does not require strict lockstep operation of its processors. This reduces the delays caused by unpredictable events such as memory bank conflicts. >
Spatial autocorrelation in biology: 1. Methodology

Spatial autocorrelation analysis tests whether the observed value of a nominal, ordinal, or interval variable at one locality is independent of values of the variable at neighbouring localities. The computation of autocorrelation coefficients for nominal, ordinal, and for interval data is illustrated, together with appropriate significance tests. The method is extended to include the computation of correlograms for spatial autocorrelation. These show the autocorrelation coefficient as a function of distance between pairs of localities being considered, and summarize the patterns of geographic variation exhibited by the response surface of any given variable. Autocorrelation analysis is applied to microgeographic variation of allozyme frequencies in the snail Helix aspersa. Differences in variational patterns in two city blocks are interpreted. The inferences that can be drawn from correlograms are discussed and illustrated with the aid of some artificially generated patterns. Computational formulae, expected values and standard errors are furnished in two appendices.
A Gap Analysis of a CPA Tax Service and the Implications for Enhancing Service Quality

ABSTRACT Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firms are “pure” services where the customer is buying the knowledge and expertise of the accounting professional. Marketing the “expertise” of certified public accounting firms is challenging because the client's expected and perceived levels of service quality is not clearly understood. This article presents a service blueprint of an income tax service and highlights potential failure points that can impact process and outcome qualities. Some recommendations are made for improving the tax service to achieve higher levels of service quality.
Delinquency, Social Skills and the Structure of Peer Relations: Assessing Criminological Theories by Social Network Theory

This article explores the plausibility of the conflicting theoretical assumptions underlying the main criminological perspectives on juvenile delinquents, their peer relations and social skills: the social ability model, represented by Sutherland's theory of differential associations, and the social disability model, represented by Hirschi's control theory. It does so by applying the principles associated with Granovetter's theory of strong and weak ties, drawing out its theoretical implications for the criminological theories and deriving a number of hypotheses. The article uses "strategic research materials" in the form of a data set strongly biased towards the social disability model and containing information on co-offending relations among a population (N = 580) of juveniles in a Swedish town during a three-year period. Results from cross-sectional empirical analyses using, among other things, the Quadratic Assignment Procedure, clearly support the social ability model. The robustness of the initial analyses is checked through longitudinal analyses applying actor-oriented statistical models for network evolution. The article's implications for criminological, as well as multidisciplinary, research are discussed.
Psychological and Physiological Responses to Acute Laboratory Stressors in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Adolescents and Nondiabetic Controls

Thirty 11- to 18-year old adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) of at least 1-year duration and 15 nondiabetic controls were subjected to three laboratory stressors: a venipuncture and two public-speaking tasks. Half of the IDDM participants were in good metabolic control prior to the inception of the experiment and half were in poor control. The IDDM adolescents in poor control and the nondiabetics were matched to the well-controlled IDDM group on the basis of age, sex, and race. The two IDDM groups were also matched on disease duration. Self-report, behavioral, and physiological measures of anxiety or arousal were monitored during the stress.
Creeping flow of power‐law fluid over newtonian fluid sphere

A technique which is a combination of Galerkin's method and variational principle was developed and used for the approximate solution of creeping flow of power-law fluid over a Newtonian fluid sphere. The stream functions (both internal and external) and drag coefficient are expressed in terms of three parameters: the flow behavior index of the power law fluid, the external Reynolds number, and a viscosity ratio parameter . Comparisons with existing experimental data are also given.
Bisphosphonates are not associated with vertebral osteonecrosis.

Intravertebral clefts are considered markers for osteonecrosis. We tested the hypothesis that bisphosphonate therapy was associated with vertebral osteonecrosis. A retrospective review of a vertebroplasty database was performed. Exposure to, duration of, and type of bisphosphonate therapy was documented. Radiographs were reviewed to identify intravertebral gas-filled or fluid-filled clefts, which are considered a marker for vertebral osteonecrosis. Proportion of patients with and without clefts was compared between the group exposed to bisphosphonates and the unexposed group using Chi-squared test. Duration of bisphosphonate exposure was compared between patients with and without clefts using Student's t-test. After exclusion of 16 patients with malignancy and 21 with chronic steroid therapy 237 patients were identified. Sixty-seven (28%) of the total cohort of patients were prescribed bisphosphonate therapy. Overall, clefts were present in 68 (29%) of the 237 patients. Among the 67 patients exposed to bisphosphonate therapy, 15 patients (22%) had clefts. Among the 170 patients not exposed to bisphosphonate therapy, 53 patients (31%) had clefts (P = 0.17 compared to bisphosphonate therapy group). Mean duration of bisphosphonate therapy among patients with clefts was 52 ± 63 weeks and among patients without clefts was 57 ± 79 weeks (P = 0.80). Intravertebral clefts are not associated with bisphosphonate therapy. If these clefts indicate osteonecrosis, then bisphosphonate therapy does not appear to be associated with vertebral osteonecrosis.
La2MO4+δ (M=Cu, Ni, Co): Phase Separation and Superconductivity Resulting from Excess Oxygen Defects

The structural, superconducting and normal-state properties of La2MO4+δ (M=Cu, Ni, Co) were studied by neutron powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and resistivity measurements. La2CuO4+δ was found to undergo phase separation near room temperature into antiferromagnetic La2CuO4 and superconducting La2CuO4.08. Single-phase, metallic, superconducting La2CuO4.08 was prepared under 25 kbar of O2 at 500 °C. The excess oxygen present as O= ions provides a doping mechanism analogous to alkaline-earth metal ion substitution.
Microcomputer-based data collection system for electrophysicilogical experiments on epithelia

The "personal computers" designed for home use can be quite satisfactory for on-line laboratory data collection and analysis, if proper peripherals are available. A minor amount of circuit construction, and a considerable investment in programing results in a usable computer system. A case study is presented, with emphasis on the criteria for selection of a system and some of the pitfalls to be avoided. The overall cost may be less than that of the conventional recorders which it replaces, while the saving in effort is considerable.