cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Facteurs associés à une rapide évolution vers une arthroplastie du genou : analyse complète des données à trois ans de l’« Osteoarthritis Initiative »

Resume Objectifs Seul un petit nombre d’etudes ont identifie les facteurs pronostiques indiquant un risque de future arthroplastie du genou chez les patients souffrant d’arthrose (OA) du genou. L’« Osteoarthritis Initiative » (OAI) est l’etude d’une cohorte de 4796 personnes atteintes ou a haut risque d’OA du genou, organisee par l’Institut national de la sante (NIH), grâce a des fonds prives. L’OAI est parfaitement adaptee a une etude, plus approfondie que cela ne l’a deja ete entrepris, des facteurs pronostiques de l’arthroplastie du genou. Le but de notre etude etait d’identifier les facteurs relatifs au patient, et predictifs d’une evolution rapide vers une arthroplastie du genou, definie par la realisation d’une arthroplastie dans les trois ans suivant la collecte des donnees d’inclusion. Methodes Nous avons utilise des modeles alternatifs de regression logistique pour analyser les donnees du suivi complet a trois ans issues de l’OAI, portant sur 4670 personnes atteintes ou a haut risque d’OA du genou, âgees de 45 a 79 ans, pendant la periode de 2004 a 2008. Resultats Une arthroplastie a ete realisee sur un total de 128 genoux (116 personnes) durant la periode d’etude. Apres ajustement sur les facteurs pronostiques connus, plusieurs facteurs predictifs d’une future arthroplastie du genou, non identifies auparavant, ont ete mis en evidence, parmi lesquels les antecedents de chirurgie du genou (RR = 2,04, IC 95 % = 1,33, 3,13), le degre de contracture du genou en flexion (RR = 1,06, IC 95 % = 1,02, 1,11) et la douleur, sur une echelle de 0 a 10, lors de la flexion active du genou (RR = 1,58, IC 95 % = 1,04, 2,39). Discussion/conclusions Cette etude identifie de nouvelles variables cliniques faciles a recueillir, associees a une evolution plus rapide vers une arthroplastie. Ces donnees peuvent aider a informer a la fois les medecins et les patients sur les antecedents medicaux et les resultats d’examen clinique les plus frequemment associes a la realisation d’une arthroplastie a court terme.
Hydrodynamic stability of thermocapillary convection in liquid bridges

Energy stability theory is applied to investigate the stability properties of thermocapillary convection in a half-zone model of the float-zone crystal-growth process. This analysis identifies regions of guaranteed stability with respect to disturbances of arbitrary amplitude. While earlier computations were aimed at producing numbers that could be compared to model experiments, here results will be presented for various Prandtl numbers and aspect ratios.
On allocations attainable through Nash equilibria

The purpose of this paper is to show that there are severe limitations on allocations attainable through mechanisms which can be viewed as Nash noncooperative games in which the agents’ messages constitute their strategies. In such mechanisms, the designer chooses the individual agents’ message sets and the rule (called outcomefunctionl) specifying the resource allocation resulting from the agents’ message choices. The messages chosen by agents constitute a Nash (noncooperative) equilibrium if no agent can unilaterally improve his situation as long as others do not change their messages. Clearly the equilibrium messages will depend on the agents’ characteristics (initial endowments, preferences, technology) and, hence, so will the allocations corresponding to these messages. We shall refer to the totality of all the agents’ characteristics as the environment and we shall call the allocations generated by Nash equilibrium messages Nash allocations. The relationship between environments and the corresponding Nash allocation sets specified by an outcome function constitutes the (Nash) performance correspondencea associated with that outcome function. The designer of the mechanism is assumed to be interested in the performance correspondence, but he can only control it indirectly by choosing the outcome function and the message sets. This paper shows that such indirect control is quite limited: only certain types of performance correspondences can be generated by a Nash equilibrium mechanism even if the designer has great freedom in selecting outcome functions and message sets. The economist’s interest in the design of resource allocating mechanisms
Superconductivity in Au/Cr/Au epitaxial metal film sandwiches (EMFS)

Abstract Epitaxial metal film sandwiches (EMFS) of Au/Cr/Au have been used to prepare fcc Cr. The EMFS are found to be superconducting and/or to exhibit some local moment behavior. T c 's up to 3.00 K have been observed, with an orbital contribution as large as 42 k0e/K. Estimates of the resistivity and density of states for pure fcc Cr are used to calculate an orbital contribution in reasonable agreement with the measured values.
Enhancement of Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol and Chlorophenols by Ultrasound

The synergistic effect due to the application of ultrasound on the photocatalytic degradation of phenol and chlorophenols was demonstrated in the presence of Hombikat TiO2 suspensions in our sonophotocatalytic reactor. A noticeable enhancement of the reaction rate was found when ultrasound was combined with the photocatalysis of phenol in a volume of 100 mL as compared with UV light photocatalysis alone. By reducing the reaction volume or increasing the average ultrasonic power density within a reasonable range, the enhancement could be intensified considerably. The average ultrasonic power density of around 0.7 W/mL seemed to be the optimal usage of ultrasonic energy in our system for achieving efficient sonophotocatalytic degradation of phenol. The influence of ionic strength and anions on sonophotocatalysis was evaluated. Our results show that chloride anions (Cl-) inhibit the action of sonophotocatalysis at low pH values. Chlorophenols, namely, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 2,4,6-trichloroph...
A study of the moderating effects of firm age at internationalization on firm survival and short-term growth

Research on firm internationalization has focused primarily on the antecedents, rather than outcomes, of the strategic decision to enter foreign markets. In addition, factors moderating the outcomes of internationalization have not received systematic analysis. Aiming to fill these gaps in the literature, the current study examines the moderating effects of firm age on postinternationalization survival and growth. Consistent with the liabilities of newness perspective, we suggest that firm age will have a positive moderating effect on postinternationalization survival. Building from the liabilities of aging perspective, we propose that firm age will have a negative moderating effect on postinternationalization short-term growth. We test these arguments using a longitudinal sample of 787 firms. Results showed that, postinternationalization, younger firms experienced significantly higher rates of short-term growth than older firms. Findings regarding firm age and survival, postinternationalization, were, however, not conclusive. Overall, our findings indicate that the timing of internationalization has important implications with regard to the short-term growth of firms. Copyright © 2010 Strategic Management Society.
Sixteenth-Century St. Augustine: The People and Their Homes

In this companion volume to The Houses of St. Augustine, 1565 to 1821, Albert Manucy goes back in time to detail the first years of St. Augustine's settlement, from 1565 to 1700. Focusing on how the first Spanish colonists lived, Manucy describes the buildings and backyards of the early settlers and illustrates how the architecture of the Timucua Indians of Florida influenced Spanish colonial culture. Though the description of early St. Augustine is necessarily hypothetical, since all of the early structures were burned by Sir Thomas Moore in 1702, Manucy incorporates a broad range of scholarship in architecture, art, history, and ethnohistory to establish a provocative and convincing model of early colonial life. For years the leading architectural interpreter of St. Augustine and formerly a historian of the Castillo de San Marcos, a Fulbright scholar in Spain, and a member of the St. Augustine 1580 research team, Albert Manucy combines his expertise with a true gift for story telling.
Extension theorems for linear lattices with positive algebraic basis

An ordered linear spaceV with positive wedgeK is said to satisfy extension property (E1) if for every subspaceL0 ofV such thatL0 ∩K is reproducing inL0, and every monotone linear functionalf0 defined onL0,f0 has a monotone linear extension to all ofV.
The interaction of manganese(II) with the surface of calcite in dilute solutions and seawater

Abstract The interaction of Mn2+ with the surface of calcite in aqueous solutions is complex. In dilute solutions the Mn2+ is rapidly absorbed, MnCO33 nucleates on the calcite surface and then grows by a first order reaction with respect to the initial Mn2+ concentration. At higher ionic strengths in NaCl solutions, the rate of these processes is slower, but the same general pattern persists. In solutions containing Mg2+, at the concentration of seawater and in seawater, the nucleation phase of the uptake process does not appear to occur. The long-term uptake rate of Mn2+ on the surface of calcite in seawater is first order with respect to the dissolved Mn2+ concentration. The rate constant is over three orders of magnitude smaller than that found in dilute Mg2+-free solutions. A probable explanation for the slower growth rate in seawater is that MnCO3 is not nucleated on the calcite surface due to the presence of high Mg2+ concentrations. The Mg2+, through site competition, prevents enough Mn2+ from being adsorbed to reach a critical concentration for MnCO3 nucleation. This behavior is similar to that found for orthophosphate with calcite surfaces in dilute solutions and seawater. It indicates that rhodochrosite cannot nucleate in carbonate-rich recent sediments unless the Mg2+ concentration is lowered below that of seawater. Measurements of the solubility of rhodochrosite in seawater gave results from an undersaturation approach to equilibrium in excellent agreement with those found in previous studies in dilute solutions. When equilibrium was approached from supersaturation, approximately fifty times more calcium was precipitated than Mn2+. The measured solubility was over twice that determined from undersaturation. It is possible that a Mn—calcite containing 25 to 30 mol% MnCO3 formed on the rhodochrosite from the supersaturated solutions. Consequently, it is doubtful that pure rhodochrosite controls the concentration of Mn2+ even in calcium carbonate-poor marine environments.
Coal gasification waste disposal - the impact of regulation

The study reported in this paper was designed to assess the impact of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) on high-Btu coal gasification. The study has three objectives: first, to characterize solid wastes from synfuel technologies, by evaluating data on their chemical composition and biological characteristics; second, to review RCRA regulations, with emphasis on solid-waste treatment and disposal requirements specified under the Act; third, to assess the costs of disposal of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes generated from selected commercial-scale high-Btu gasification facilities. 15 references, 3 tables.
Steepest Descent and the Least C for Sobolev's Inequality

On etablit un theoreme concernant l'application de la descente suivant la plus grande pente dans l'espace de Sobolev pour la resolution des equations differentielles avec des conditions aux limites non lineaires. On determine la valeur de la plus petite constante Cn pour le plongement de H n (0,1] dans C[0,1]
Optically enhanced high-field NMR of GaAs.

The $^{69}\mathrm{Ga}$ NMR signals of differently doped GaAs samples were directly observed under optical pumping conditions in high magnetic field (4.2 T). This technique greatly enhances the sensitivity of the NMR signals and allowed us to study the effect of optical pumping on the nuclear polarization under conditions very different from optically detected NMR. The strongest NMR signals were observed when pumping with a light energy below the band gap, suggesting the involvement of impurities and defects for the most efficient polarization transfer. Inversion of the helicity of the pumping light at the lowest temperatures results in a phase inversion of the NMR signal of a bulk-GaAs and a Si-doped sample, but no phase inversion was observed for a Be-doped sample. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Effects of starter culture and storage on the flavor of liquid whey.

: The primary off flavors in dried whey proteins have been attributed to lipid oxidation products. A deeper understanding of lipid oxidation in fluid whey is crucial to understand how to minimize off flavors in dried whey protein. The objectives of this study were to further elucidate the role of storage and starter cultures as sources of lipid oxidation in whey. Fluid Cheddar, Mozzarella, and rennet-set wheys were manufactured from skim and whole milk. Liquid wheys and milks were evaluated by descriptive sensory and volatile instrumental analysis within 2 h of manufacture and following storage for 3 d at 4 °C. Culture type greatly influenced the oxidative stability of liquid whey, with Cheddar and Mozzarella whey differing not only in sensory profile, but also in volatile compounds. The type of starter culture (Mozzarella compared with Cheddar) had more influence on flavor than the set type (acid compared with culture). Milks had lower relative abundances of volatile free fatty acids than their liquid whey counterparts. Volatile lipid oxidation products in wheys were higher than in their respective milks, but oxidation in both milks and wheys increased with storage time. Wheys from Cheddar starters displayed more oxidation products than wheys from Mozzarella starters. Starter media did not have an effect on the flavor or oxidative stability of liquid whey, however, culture strain influenced lipid oxidation of fluid whey. Practical Application: Lipid oxidation products are primary contributors to whey ingredient off-flavors. Flavor plays a critical and limiting role in widespread use of dried whey ingredients, and enhanced understanding of flavor and flavor formation in fluid whey are industrially relevant. Results from this study demonstrate that oxidation occurs in milk prior to cheesemaking but that starter type and starter strain influence also oxidative stability and lipid oxidation off flavors in fluid whey.
“That land of flowers, swamps and alligators”: S. B. Buckley’s 1843 trip up the St. Johns River, Florida

In 1843 S. B. Buckley (1809–1884) traveled up the St. Johns River, Florida in search of plants, shells, and possibly other natural history objects. Buckley encountered many difficulties in interior Florida and his trip did not live up to his original expectations. It was unfortunate that the took years to distribute his plant specimens, since few botanists or naturalists had preceded him into that poorly explored region.
Iron deficiency anemia related to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: response to treatment with bevacizumab.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare au- tosomal dominant condition associated with arteriovenous malforma- tions (AVMs) or telangiectasias of the pulmonary, gastrointestinal or hepatic circulations. The authors present a case of a 52-year-old woman with a known diagnosis of HHT who presented for evaluation of anemia. She had an extensive history of iron sucrose infusions, frequent blood transfusions and hospitalizations for anemia related to gastroin- testinal bleeding and epistaxis. The patient was treated with bevaci- zumab at a dose of 5 mg/kg infusion every 2 weeks for 4 cycles. In the next 4 months, her hemoglobin improved to 13.7g/dL and she did not require iron or packed red blood cell transfusions for the next 8 months. Abnormal angiogenesis primarily due to mutations in the transforming growth factor receptor endoglin and the activin receptor-like kinases is a central contributor to the formation of AVMs in HHT. Bevaci- zumab is a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor and therefore may be a useful treatment against AVM formation in patients with HHT. The authors do caution that therapy has to be individualized as there are no randomized trials regarding its usage in patients with HHT. Key Indexing Terms: Iron deficiency anemia; Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia; Bevacizumab. (Am J Med Sci 2012;343(3):249-251.)
Tracheostomy in ventilator dependent trauma patients: a prospective, randomized intention-to-treat study

Background:Tracheostomy is a commonly performed procedure in ventilator dependent patients. Many critical care practitioners believe that performing a tracheostomy early in the postinjury period decreases the length of ventilator dependence as well as having other benefits such as better patient tol
Distinct Beliefs, Attitudes, and Experiences of Latino Smokers: Relevance for Cessation Interventions

Purpose. Determine the extent to which Latino smokers are using effective interventions for smoking cessation, with particular focus on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Related aims were to explore cultural, attitudinal, knowledge, and socioeconomic variables associated with treatment use. Design. Cross-sectional telephone survey of two groups of Colorado adult smokers: Latinos (n = 1010) and non-Latino whites (n = 519). Setting. Colorado. Methods. Computer-assisted telephone survey in either Spanish or English. Survey addressed sociodemographic variables; smoking and cessation history; knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about smoking and quitting; and experiences in and attitudes toward the health care setting. Participants. Latino and non-Latino white adult Colorado residents who reported being regular smokers. Results. Colorado Latinos report using NRT substantially less often than do non-Latino whites residing in the state. This and other differences in the study were more pronounced in Latinos characterized as low acculturation on the basis of a language preference variable. Latinos smoke somewhat less than non-Latino whites and report lower levels of dependence. They appear to be motivated to quit but endorse attitudes and beliefs antithetical to NRT use. Health care access was lower among Latinos, and this was related to lower reports of lifetime NRT use. Receipt of recommended practitioner intervention (the “five As”) did not differ by ethnicity. Conclusions. Results suggested that use of effective cessation interventions among Latinos may be enhanced by education about nicotine addiction and NRT. Policy change to increase health care access also showed promise.
Interviewing young children with props: prior experience matters

This study investigated the effects of prior experience with props used during an interview on young children's recall of an event. In a one-way design, we interviewed 4-year-old children 1 to 2 days after they participated in a staged event. One group of children played with toy replicas of items from the event prior to an interview with the toy props. Another group matched toy replicas to real items from the event prior to an interview with the toy props. A third group coloured before an interview with the toy props, and a fourth coloured before an interview with the real items. Finally, a fifth group coloured before an interview with no props, only verbal cues about the items that had been present. Results indicated that the condition in which children played with toy props prior to the interview had the lowest verbal accuracy during the interview. Children who saw toys for the first time during the interview behaviourally enacted the highest volume of correct information about the event. Implications for interviewing children are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A subspace approach to blind coil sensitivity estimation in parallel MRI

Background In parallel MRI, subsampled k-space data are simultaneously collected by multiple coils. Each coil introduces a sensitivity map (CSM) that is multiplied pointwise with the single image to be reconstructed. In ESPIRiT [1], for each pixel location in each coil, an eigen-decomposition is applied to small matrices to obtain CSMs. However, this approach can be time-consuming for larger imaging problems. Here, we exploit smoothness of the coil sensitivities in the image domain to model them as small finite impulse response (FIR) filters in k-space as in PRUNO [2]. Since pointwise-multiplication in image domain corresponds to convolution in k-space, parallel MRI problem can be expressed as a blind image deconvolution problem; consequently, a subspace approach [3] can be used to estimate the k-space coefficients of the CSMs. Methods
Commercial Baby Food Consumption and Dietary Variety in a Statewide Sample of Infants Receiving Benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

Dietary variety and exposure to fruits and vegetables in infancy have been associated with nutritional benefits and later acceptance of these foods. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of fruit and vegetable commercial baby food consumption and its relation to dietary variety during infancy. A cross-sectional statewide telephone survey of 733 Maryland mothers and infants receiving benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was conducted between July 2004 and July 2005. A 24-hour dietary recall was examined to assess infant dietary variety. Among infants from birth to age 5 months, 54% had consumed complementary foods in the past 24 hours; 60% received commercial baby foods. Among infants aged 6 to 12 months, 98% had consumed complementary foods in the past 24 hours; 81% received commercial baby foods. In the latter age range, the average daily number of different types of fruits and vegetables consumed was 1.5±1.2, range 0 to 6). In a multivariate model, infants aged 6 to 12 months who received commercial baby foods consumed a greater variety of fruits and vegetables (β=.54, 95% confidence interval 0.26-0.84; P<0.001) than infants who did not, characterized by a diet that was lower in white potatoes (14% vs 22%) and higher in dark-green (6% vs 5%) and deep-yellow (35% vs 10%) vegetables. Commercial baby food is consumed by a majority of WIC infants, although many mothers introduce it before the recommended age of 6 months. Among infants aged 6 to 12 months, commercial baby food is associated with dietary variety in fruits and vegetables. By encouraging consumption of fruits and vegetables after 6 months of age, either through the provision of commercial baby foods and/or education and resources related to the preparation of fruits and vegetables for infants, WIC can increase dietary variety and appropriate introduction of complementary foods among infants.
GAUGE INVARIANT SUPERSTRING FIELD THEORY

Gauge invariant actions are constructed for the free open superstring usingthe BRST operator. The Neveu-Schwarz sector is algebraically equivalent to the bosonic string. In the Ramond sector the existence of commuting zero mode ghosts leads to complications. It is shown that there is no BRST invariant measure that leads to the full gauge invariance expected when one expands in zero modes. The gauge invariant action is derived by resorting to the Noether procedure; an alternative derivation is given starting from ∫Φ†QΦ, by defining an integration measure and consistently redefining fields. There does not appear to be a further projection of the fields in our action analogous to the SU(1,1) singlet projection in the bosonic string. The G-parity truncation is required in order that the fields have the correct statistics. The m2 = 1 level component lagrangian in the Ramond sector is computed and is shown to have the correct Stueckelberg fields.
Repairing an implant titanium milled framework using laser welding technology: a clinical report.

The application of laser welding technology allows titanium to be welded predictably and precisely to achieve accurate fit of a milled framework. Laser energy results in localized heat production, thereby reducing thermal expansion. Unlike soldering, laser energy can be directed to a small area, making it possible to laser weld close to acrylic resin or ceramic. This article describes the use of laser welding to repair an implant titanium milled fixed denture. A quick, cost-effective, accurate repair was accomplished, and the repaired framework possessed adequate strength and the same precise fit as the original framework. (J Prosthet Dent 2009;101:221-225)
Applications of bispectral index monitoring in the pediatric intensive care unit.

The bispectral index (BIS) monitor is an electroencephalographic recording device that generates a single numeric value. It has traditionally been used to measure anesthetic depth and avoid awareness in the operating room setting. In this report, the authors present different scenarios in the pediatric intensive care unit that demonstrate the potential applications of the BIS monitor outside of the operating room setting. The scenarios presented include use of the BIS monitor during titration of barbiturate coma, procedural sedation, sedation assessment during mechanical ventilation, and sedation while administering potentially confounding medications. Previous reports regarding the use of the BIS monitor in such scenarios and potential future applications are reviewed.
Comparative Neuroscience Holds Promise for Quiet Revolutions

The brain has diversified and advanced in evolution more than any other organ; the variety of nervous systems and behaviors among animal species is thus available for our exploitation. Comparative neuroscience is likely to reach insights so novel as to constitute revolutions in understanding the structure, functions, ontogeny, and evolution of nervous systems. This promise requires pursuit on a wide front, in respect to disciplines and in respect to the species, stages, and states compared. It also requires deliberate concentration on the differences among animals, in addition to the prevailing concern for the basic and common. Neglect of these challenges would be costly. Without due consideration of the neural and behavioral correlates of differences between higher taxa and between closely related families, species, sexes, and stages, we cannot expect to understand our nervous systems or ourselves.
Transmural saturation transfer analysis of the creatine kinase system in the mammalian heart

31P NMR spatial localization and saturation transfer techniques were combined to enable the transmural measurement of the forward creatine kinase (CK) rate (ATP:creatine N-phos-photransferase, EC 2.7.3.2.) in the in vivo canine myocardium. Five epicardial towards endocardial regions of the left ventricle (LV) were simultaneously examined using spatially localized voxels. Although intralefl ventricular CP/ATP ratios were constant, the pseudo first order rate constant (K′) and the forward creatine kinase rate (Rt) displayed a 61% variation across the LV wall. Because CK levels and calculated [ADP], [CP]and pH are transmurally invariant in the normal left ventricle, the observed changes in the Rt could not be explained by changes in the absolute levels of these substrates and of creatine kinase. In addition, because myocardial oxygen consumption rates are known to be higher in the endocardium, these results imply that forward creatine kinase rates are not directly related to oxidative phosphorylation rates.
The description of scenes over time and space

Most pattern recognition research has been concerned with the assignment of a single name to an input field. But rarely do we find single, isolated objects in the real world.
Family Of Calibrated Stereometric Cameras For Direct Intraoral Use

In order to study empirically the relative efficiencies of different types of orthodontic appliances in repositioning teeth in vivo, we have designed and constructed a pair of fixed-focus, normal case, fully-calibrated stereometric cameras. One is used to obtain stereo photography of single teeth, at a scale of approximately 2:1, and the other is designed for stereo imaging of the entire dentition, study casts, facial structures, and other related objects at a scale of approximately 1:8. Twin lenses simultaneously expose adjacent frames on a single roll of 70 mm film. Physical flatness of the film is ensured by the use of a spring-loaded metal pressure plate. The film is forced against a 3/16" optical glass plate upon which is etched an array of 16 fiducial marks which divide the film format into 9 rectangular regions. Using this approach, it has been possible to produce photographs which are undistorted for qualitative viewing and from which quantitative data can be acquired by direct digitization of conventional photographic enlargements. We are in the process of designing additional members of this family of cameras. All calibration and data acquisition and analysis techniques previously developed will be directly applicable to these new cameras.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Survival in patients with brain metastases from breast cancer: the importance of HER-2 status.

BACKGROUND Brain metastases (BM) are the most common intracranial tumors in adults. To the authors' knowledge, established prognostic factors for survival after the diagnosis of BM in breast cancer patients do not take into account HER–2 status, which may have increasing relevance in the trastuzumab therapy era. METHODS The authors identified 83 patients with breast cancer and new parenchymal BM diagnosed between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2005 who were treated at Massachusetts General Hospital. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and curves were compared using the log-rank test. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine independent predictors of survival. RESULTS The median overall survival from the time of BM was 8.3 months. On univariate analysis, HER-2-positive patients were found to have prolonged survival after BM compared with HER-2-negative patients (17.1 months vs 5.2 months). Patients with triple negative disease had a median survival of 4.0 months, compared with 11.2 months for all other patients. Additional predictors of improved survival on univariate analysis included ≤3 BM, controlled or absent systemic disease, and controlled local disease. On multivariate analysis, only HER-2 status, number of BM, and local disease status remained independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS HER-2 status is a strong predictor of survival after the diagnosis of BM. The survival of breast cancer patients with BM appears to be improving, but a better understanding of both the predictors of brain recurrence and the delayed effects of treatment is needed to properly counsel patients regarding the risk-benefit ratio of various treatment modalities. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Approaching English composition as a peer-group learning experience: A case study

With frequent voicing of concern by the popular press that Johnny can neither read nor write, the present article describes a successful experiment in the teaching and learning of expository writing. Based on the peer learning model, the experiment, originally conducted over a four-year period at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, has been used with apparent success at both the secondary and graduate levels as well as in regular college composition courses. The chief aspects of the approach include (1) mastery learning, (2) a consciously informal atmosphere, (3) a product orientation, whereby the class as a whole produces a final written work, where possible of some social usefulness, and (4) the careful development of the willingness and ability to learn and work cooperatively rather than as individual competitors.
Representing Men with HIV/AIDS in American Movies

This content-analytic study explores representations of male characters with HIV/AIDS in nearly four dozen feature-length narrative movies produced and released in the United States during the first two decades of the AIDS pandemic. It offers insight into the cumulative messages communicated in these works about men in relation to HIV/AIDS and the influence of such messages on the social construction of HIV/AIDS during the 1980s and 1990s. Problematic effects pertaining to gay men as well as members of various other demographic groups in American society are addressed.
Hidden CD errors due to reticle imperfection

The impact of reticle imperfections on resist critical dimension (CD) variation has greatly increased as design rules shrink to smaller than exposure wavelength. Resolution enhancement techniques, such as optical proximity correction (OPC) and phase-shift mask (PSM), add a great deal of complexity to the mask manufacturing process. Stringent requirements in wafer processing make reticles a crucial factor in CD control. However, making a perfect reticle is a significant challenge for mask manufacturers. In this paper, the strong correlation between reticle and resist CD variation is reported. Multiple sources of hidden CD errors due to imperfect reticles are discussed. Examples include butting errors, grid snapping, OPC model incompatible among reticles with same design rule but with different mask processes, phase-angle and transmission variations in PSM, undetectable reticle defects from reticle inspection, and small reticle defects that are often classified as 'false' defects. Root causes are analyzed and procedures to minimize hidden CD errors are proposed.
Further remarks upon the influence of altitude on the annual course of air‐pressure

In an earlier paper [see 1 of “References” at end of paper] the influence of altitude on the annual course of air-pressure was examined. The annual and semiannual waves were considered. It was shown that the annual wave is a thermal wave, the amplitude of which increases with altitude above sea-level in a strictly linear way. The semiannual wave resulted as a pressure-wave and seems to be a forced wave because the amplitude is invariant with altitude. It was stated that the Fourier series which represents the annual variation did not converge well, so that it was necessary to consider also the third wave.
Asymptotic optimality results for controlled sequential estimation

We consider the problem of sequential estimation of a random parameter under a controlled setting. Unlike traditional estimation problems, the collected observations depend on the used actions, which control the quality of the sensing process. At each time step, the decision maker chooses a control from a finite set of controls or decides to stop collecting measurements. The goal is to design an efficient causal control policy and a stopping rule and the efficiency is captured using the notion of asymptotic pointwise optimality (APO). This setup, in the context of sequential estimation for controlled parameter estimation was first considered in [1] for a special case where the distributions corresponding to different controls depend on uncommon parameters. In this paper, we extend the results in [1] to a more general case wherein the observation models under different controls could depend on common parameters. For this general setting, we propose a procedure consisting of a control policy and stopping rule, which is shown to be APO. In the process we identify and point out several applications, particularly in the area of active learning.
Scattering of Vibrationally Excited NO off LiF and Ca F 2 Surfaces

The scattering of a pulsed supersonic beam of vibrationally excited ${v}^{\ensuremath{'}}=1$, ${J}^{\ensuremath{'}}=\frac{3}{2}$ nitric oxide molecules, prepared by tunable ir laser excitation, off LiF and Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ surfaces has been investigated by resonantly enhanced two-photon ionization. A survivial probability of less than 2.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ has been found. Similarly, an upper limit of less than 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ can be given for an energy transfer into other rotational states of ${v}^{\ensuremath{'}}=1$ or high ${J}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}$ of ${v}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=0$. The present results will be compared with the predictions of a recent theoretical model calculation.
Reduction-based control of branched chains: Application to three-dimensional bipedal torso robots

This paper revisits the concept of controlled reduction, a symmetry-based method of decomposing the control of mechanical systems into lower-dimensional problems. Founded on a geometric property of serial kinematic chains termed recursive cyclicity, the present work extends this property to branched chains by defining the minimal irreducible tree structure. We then generalize the Subrobot Theorem to branched chains, showing that we can use control to reduce any robot's dimensionality to that of its irreducible tree structure. This method is applied to a 5-DOF bipedal robot with a hip and torso - we construct stable straight-ahead and turning gaits in 3-D space based on known sagittal-plane limit cycles.
The Great and Terrible Oz

Our present world is full of Dorothys, scarecrows, lions, tin men-and yes, humbugs-all on a quest of simply living. And yet, in our increasingly computing-haunted world, a curtain exists between the general public and computer technology. For the most part, the public is amazed by and warms itself by the glow that arises from behind that curtain but is also content to leave said curtain closed. Similarly, we geeks labor behind our curtains, mostly remaining content in advancing the machinery of our inner sanctum to some perceived good. I say this not to disparage the innocence of the public or the technical focus of the geeks.
Prevention of Hyperacute Kidney Rejection by Decomplementation Using Purified Cobra Venom Factor

Clinical hyperacute kidney rejection (HKR) was first described by KissmyerNeilsen et al. in 1966 [I 11. Starzl et al. described a high rate of HKR in transplants done across major ABO incompatibilities [ 181. Williams and co-workers demonstrated the relationship of this phenomenon to humoral antibodies directed against donor kidney antigens [26], and Terasaki and Singal showed the relationship of HKR to a positive donor-recipient cross match [ 191. With the development of more sensitive cross-matching techniques, the incidence of HKR has declined markedly [19] although HKR still continues to occur in l12% of renal transplants. This rejection phenomenon is vexing because of a rather high rate of occurrence in presensitized patients and in patients requiring secondary transplantation [23]. In addition, there is currently no effective treatment for HKR. At least one group has attempted unsuccessfully to prevent HKR in sensitized patients using infusions of F(ab’), antibodies and citrate pretreatment [7]. HKR is known to involve a complementfixing antibody [ 1 l] whereas recent work has suggested that some antibodies which do not fix complement may produce a state of enhancement favoring allograft prolongation [27]. This work suggests conceptually that HKR might be abrogated and a system
Transcriptome profiling of human hippocampus dentate gyrus granule cells in mental illness

This study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first application of whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) to cells isolated from postmortem human brain by laser capture microdissection. We investigated the transcriptome of dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells in postmortem human hippocampus in 79 subjects with mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression) and nonpsychiatric controls. We show that the choice of normalization approach for analysis of RNA-seq data had a strong effect on results; under our experimental conditions a nonstandard normalization method gave superior results. We found evidence of disrupted signaling by miR-182 in mental illness. This was confirmed using a novel method of leveraging microRNA genetic variant information to indicate active targeting. In healthy subjects and those with bipolar disorder, carriers of a high- vs those with a low-expressing genotype of miR-182 had different levels of miR-182 target gene expression, indicating an active role of miR-182 in shaping the DG transcriptome for those subject groups. By contrast, comparing the transcriptome between carriers of different genotypes among subjects with major depression and schizophrenia suggested a loss of DG miR-182 signaling in these conditions.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator with Controllable Pulse Parameters

The characteristics of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pulses influence the physiological effect of TMS. However, available TMS devices allow very limited adjustment of the pulse parameters. We describe a novel TMS device that uses a circuit topology incorporating two energy storage capacitors and two insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules to generate near-rectangular electric field pulses with adjustable number, polarity, duration, and amplitude of the pulse phases. This controllable pulse parameter TMS (cTMS) device can induce electric field pulses with phase widths of 10-310 µs and positive/negative phase amplitude ratio of 1-56. Compared to conventional monophasic and biphasic TMS, cTMS reduces energy dissipation up to 82% and 57% and decreases coil heating up to 33% and 41%, respectively. We demonstrate repetitive TMS trains of 3000 pulses at frequencies up to 50 Hz with electric field pulse amplitude and width variability less than the measurement resolution (1.7% and 1%, respectively). Offering flexible pulse parameter adjustment and reduced power consumption and coil heating, cTMS enhances existing TMS paradigms, enables novel research applications and could lead to clinical applications with potentially enhanced potency.
Early experience with the laparoscopic boari flap at a single institution.

ABSTRACTPurpose:: We present our initial experience with the laparoscopic Boari flap for long ureteral strictures.Materials and Methods:: Nine patients underwent a laparoscopic Boari flap procedure at our institution. Eight patients had 4 to 7 cm distal ureteral strictures on excretory urogram and retrograde pyelogram, and 1 had transitional cell carcinoma in the distal right ureter. We analyzed our intraoperative parameters with regard to operative time and intraoperative complications. The operative results assessed were hospital stay, renal function, symptomatic improvement and radiological studies. The patient with ureteral transitional cell carcinoma was excluded from analysis because ureteral stricture etiology differed from that in the other 8.Results:: Mean operative time was 156.6 minutes. Mean estimated blood loss was 124 cc. There were no intraoperative complications. Mean hospital stay was 3 days. At a mean followup of 17.6 months all patients were symptom-free and had an unobstructed ureterov...
An inventory to improve clinical teaching in the general internal medicine clinic.

Summary. The increasing occurrence of outpatient medical care has led to the need for more and better medical education in the clinic. The Wisconsin Inventory of Clinic Teaching (WICT) was developed to improve the teaching of attending doctors in a general internal medicine clinic. The items on the inventory were derived from interviews with residents and attending doctors. The inventory was shown to have validity, and to be reliable with internal consistency correlations. We found an interesting disparity between attending doctors’ and residents’ expectations concerning clinical teaching. The instrument is in use as part of a teaching improvement programme for attending doctors in a general internal medicine clinic.
Differential Inelastic Scattering of Relativistic Charged Particles

The angular distribution of inelastic scattering, given by the M\o{}ller-Bethe formulas, is presented explicitly and analyzed in terms of longitudinal and transverse interactions which are incoherent because of different parity. Its connection with the \ifmmode \check{C}\else \v{C}\fi{}erenkov radiation and its conceivable experimental observation are indicated.
The mechanics of dual-control above-elbow prostheses.

A computer model of a cable-operated dual-control above-elbow prosthesis is presented and used to show the effect of certain geometric parameters on the force and excursion characteristics of the limb. The resulting data can be used to fabricate a prosthesis with operating characteristics which match an individual amputee's capabilities.
LABORATORY-SCALE MIRRORS FOR SUBMILLIMETER WAVELENGTHS

A machining procedure based on an elementary concept has been applied successfully to produce metal mirrors suitable for submillimeter wavelengths. Ninety-degree off-axis paraboloidal or ellipsoidal mirror sections may be cut from brass or aluminum by means of a series of predetermined increments on a conventional laboratory lathe. Paraboloidal mirrors with low f-numbers (f/2) made by this technique have been used with good results as part of the collecting optics of a submillimeter-wave heterodyne radiometer.
Secondary tumors of penis

The penis, despite its rich vascular supply, is a very uncommon site of metastatic tumor. When present, the prognosis is extremely poor. Four cases of secondary tumors of the penis are presented and the literature reviewed.
Repeated anticonvulsant testing: contingent tolerance to diazepam and clobazam in kindled rats.

The acute anticonvulsant efficacy of diazepam (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was evaluated by repeated test injection in kindled rats subcutaneously implanted with diazepam-filled or empty silastic tubes for 3 weeks. Tolerance developed to acute test injections in both diazepam- and sham-implanted rats. Tolerance developed to a lesser extent in another group of diazepam-implanted rats which did not receive acute intermittent anticonvulsant tests. The hypothesis that contingent tolerance had developed to the anticonvulsant actions of benzodiazepines (diazepam, 1.5 mg/kg, i.p. and clobazam, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) in kindled rats given acute intermittent injections was investigated using a 'before-after' design. Significant contingent tolerance developed in rats which received intermittent benzodiazepine treatment before, but not after, amygdala stimulation. Tolerance developed to different extents depending on the seizure measure evaluated (forelimb clonus duration, amygdala afterdischarge duration, motor seizure latency and duration, and seizure stage). Contingent tolerance to both benzodiazepines developed at a similar rate. The findings suggest that contingent tolerance may contribute a sizeable component to the overall functional benzodiazepine tolerance measured in long-term anticonvulsant drug studies in kindled rats. Several questions regarding contingent tolerance phenomena are posed and the implications of these findings for studies using repeated anticonvulsant testing are discussed.
African malaria control programs deliver ITNs and achieve what the clinical trials predicted.

Thomas Eisele and Richard Steketee discuss new research in PLoS Medicine by Stephen Lim and colleagues that examined the association of insecticide-treated nets with the reduction of P. falciparum prevalence in children under 5 and all-cause post-neonatal mortality.