cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of the T tube after orthotopic liver transplantation

An end-to-end choledochocholedochostomy (CD) over a T tube or a Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (CDJ) have been the standard method of biliary reconstruction following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx). The objective of this study was to assess whether or not use of the T tube leads to increased biliary tract complications. Biliary tract complications were categorized as bile leak, stenosis, or obstruction that required therapeutic intervention. OLTx was performed in 161 patients over an 18-month period. Fifty-one patients were excluded from the study leaving a total of 110 patients for evaluation. Fifty-nine had their bile duct reconstructed over a T tube (CD T tube, group I) while the remaining 51 patients underwent bile duct reconstruction without a T tube (CD, group II). No difference was noted between groups I and II in their survival rate, rate of conversion to Roux-en-Y CDJ, or biliary complication rates. Our results indicate that CD (i.e., without a T tube) is both a safe and effective technique to reconstruct the biliary tract following hepatic transplantation. Routine use of a T tube with a CD anastomosis is unnecessary in most liver transplant patients. In addition, the omission of a T tube has reduced the number of radiological procedures performed at our center.
Electronic structure of Mott insulators

Abstract Mott insulators are identified here with ordinary magnetic insulators. The insulating gap, local moment, and effective spin hamiltonian aspects are qualitatively explained by means of a novel set of solutions of the Hartree-Fock equations. The apparent conflict between Bloch's theorem and localized-electron phenomenology is thereby resolved in an elementary manner. This Hartree-Fock approach also sheds considerable light on the physical mechanisms responsible for the associated metal-insulator (Mott) and other related phase transitions, as observed in V2O3 and several other materials. With some generalizations and refinements, this theoretical picture is shown to also account semiquantitatively for a number of detailed properties of NiO and CoO, two of the most extensively studied Mott insulator materials. A wide variety of experimental data for NiO is surveyed in order to determine reasonable values for its effective Hubbard hamiltonian parameters, suitably generalized for the 3d electrons. The ...
A morphological study of the anterior nervous system of the praesoma of Neoechinorhynchus cylindratus (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae).

The nerve pathways in the praesoma, based on light microscopy of serial transverse, sagittal, and longitudinal sections stained with Ehrlich's acid hematoxylin are described for the first time for a memeber of Neoechinorhynchus. The route from the cerebral ganglion to the musculature and sense organs of the proboscis and body wall for 11 nerves, five pair and one single, the presence and structure of the Stutzzelle (support cell) and its association with the neck sense organs are described. A comparison with the nervous system in the praesoma of Paulisentis fractus is discussed.
Cancer of tongue in Connecticut, 1935-1959.

A study was carried out for cancer of the tongue based on Connecticut Tumor Registry records covering 1935 through 1959. Among the 973 patients 83% were men and most of the lesions were squamous cell carcinoma. More than one half of the tumors of specified location involved the anterior two thirds of the tongue without inclusion of the base. In about one half of all patients the tumor was localized to the structure of origin whereas one third had initial regional node involvement. Treatment during the period covered was predominantly by irradiation. The crude 5-year survival was 23%. The prognosis among women was consistently better than among men within all subgroups for those variables investigated in this study.
Localization and Cell Association of C1q in Alzheimer's Disease Brain

Abstract The complement protein, C1q, has been shown to bind to fibrillar β-amyloid, resulting in the activation of the classical complement pathway. C1q has also been found associated with most but not all amyloid deposits in brain. To determine whether C1q is exclusively associated with plaques containing the fibrillar form of β-amyloid, normal and Alzheimer brain were immunohistochemically double labeled using thioflavine, which specifically stains β-amyloid in a β-sheet conformation, and an affinity-purified antibody to human C1q. C1q immunostaining was colocalized with nearly all thioflavine-positive plaques, while C1q was not detected in β-amyloid immunopositive plaques which were thioflavine-negative. β-amyloid plaques in nondemented controls (which are typically thioflavine-negative) were also negative for C1q. Microglia and astrocytes of reactive morphology were also associated with C1q-positive plaques and neurons. Interestingly, many neuronal cells in the AD brain, but not microglia or astrocytes, stained prominently with anti-C1q. Neurons in control brain were not C1q positive. Our data suggest that some of these C1q-positive structures were neurofibrillary tangles immunoreactive for hyperphosphorylated tau, which may be binding extracellular C1q. However, a large number of the C1q-positive neurons had intact cell morphology, suggesting that these cells may be synthesizing this critical complement component. Since the presence of C1q suggests the activation of complement and/or the activation of proinflammatory events, and the specific class of plaques that contain C1q are the type that corresponds to observed clinical dementia, these findings further support the hypothesis that complement plays a role in the pathogenesis of AD.
MICROBIAL PRODUCTION OF L-LYSINE

Mutants sensitive to fairly low concentration of threonine or methionine were derived from Brevibacterium flavum No. 2247 (ATCC 14067). These mutants were classified into three by the growth inhibition by threonine or methionine; type A was inhibited only by threonine, type B only by methionine, and type C by both threonine and methionine. Further, every type of mutants was divided into two subtypes by their growth response; one whose growth was inhibited by threonine (or methionine) was to be recovered in the coexistence of methionine (or threonine), and the other could not be recovered.Among these six types of mutants, one whose growth was inhibited by either methionine or threonine but could be recovered by threonine or methionine, respectively, was found to produce much lysine. This character is similar to that of the threonine-sensitive and methionine-sensitive revertant derived from a homoserine auxotroph lacking homoserine dehydrogenase activity. Homoserine dehydrogenase level of these revertants and the above-mentioned lysine-producing mutants were similar, being about 3% of the original strain, No. 2247, but a little difference was observed in the minimal inhibiting concentration of threonine or methionine and the kind of agents diminishing the inhibition by threonine or methionine.Furthermore, about one-half of threonine auxotrophs which were derived from the above-mentioned lysine-producing mutants sensitive to either threonine or methionine were found to produce larger amounts of lysine than the above parental mutants.A modified microbiological assay procedure using lysine auxotroph was introduced to isolate non-auxotrophic lysine-producing mutants directly from No. 2247. However, no mutants other than the two known types of lysine- producer (threonine- sensitive, methionine-sensitive mutants and S-(2-aminoethyl)- L-cysteine-resistant mutants) were found through this procedure.
An Empirical Study of the Effects of Small Datasets and Varying Prior Variances on Item Parameter Estimation in BILOG

Long-standing difficulties in estimating item parameters in item response theory (IRT) have been addressed recently with the application of Bayesian estimation models. The potential of these method...
Project Trafficking: Global Unity in Addressing a Universal Challenge?

Trafficking in persons is often referred to as a global problem that can only be resolved through collaborative action involving the entire global community. Since the early 2000s, the United Nations (UN) has spearheaded efforts to lead the global anti-trafficking campaign and advocate for the humane treatment of trafficked persons. This paper examines the effects of various legal documents and advocacy campaigns to argue that, for the present moment, the UN-led anti-trafficking collaboration fails on both counts—end trafficking and provide protection and support to trafficked persons. It further argues that the global anti-trafficking unity is maintained at the expense of solving the actual problem: identifying someone to blame and criminalize takes precedence over resolving socio-economic conditions, which are often at the root cause of trafficking. An extreme emphasis on criminality and morality, while well aligned with states’ anti-immigration objectives and public outcries against illegal migration and prostitution, also leads to further ostracization of those in need of protection and options for reintegration.
Vanishing Boundaries: When Teaching About Religion Becomes Spiritual Guidance in the Classroom

Abstract. This article revisits the pedagogical dilemma of maintaining neutrality in the religious studies/theology classroom. I argue that if the boundary between teaching about religion and actually teaching spirituality seems to be vanishing, it is because the boundary was inappropriately constructed in the first place. To the extent that the religious concepts, even when compressed into religious studies categories, inherently inspire personal transformation, how can a boundary exist between the ideas students encounter and the power of those ideas to transform? Spiritual guidance emerges naturally in the academic study of religion, and those of us who teach in the field might as well get used to it. In explaining my position, I draw on my experience as a teaching assistant in Professor Walter Capps's course, “Religion and the Impact of the Vietnam War.” I, then, develop a pragmatic teaching strategy, neutral enthusiasm, which preserves the important neutrality of classroom presentation in religious studies courses, yet recognizes the unavoidable evocative power present in the intellectual territory that is religion. Neutral enthusiasm allows the content to do the work.
Gender, Sex Role, and Career Decision Making of Certified Management Accountants.

The relationships of gender and sex role with career decision making of Certified Management Accountants (CMAs) were investigated. A questionnaire that included the Bem Sex Role Inventory was mailed to a matched group of women and men CMAs. The responses of 87 women CMAs and 87 men CMAs indicated that both gender and sex role were significantly related to various aspects of career decision making. Implications of this study are discussed.
Continuity of care: a casualty of the 80-hour work week.

Abstract The controversy concerning the limit of residents’ work time to 80 hours a week has generated unprecedented dismay for many involved in graduate medical education, particularly surgeons. The author maintains that 80 hours a week is too short a time for surgery residents to provide excellent care and that this new rule undercuts the importance of continuity of care, a principle highly valued by surgeons. General surgeons and those specialty surgeons most closely associated with them think of themselves as the last “compleat physicians,” who should and can take care of the entire patient, and that when difficulties arise, they should not transfer the patient to another physician but instead ask someone else to help them continue to care for the patient. The author traces the arbitrary choice of an 80-hour work week (instead of a 92-hour one) to several sources, including the leadership of internal medicine, which he feels has largely de-emphasized patient contact for many years and has become focused on research and/or administration. He also maintains that the issue of moonlighting has also driven the push for an 80-hour work week, and that the view of moonlighting by surgical residencies (i.e., that it is almost always counterproductive) is different from that of other residencies. He concludes by acknowledging that the 80-hour work week and the abandonment of the principle of continuity of care are societal decisions, and have occurred because surgeons and other physicians did not make their case strongly enough or in time.
Explaining the rise in antebellum pauperism, 1850–1860: New evidence

Abstract Between 1850 and 1860 the total “pauper rate”-the number of individuals receiving public assistance per 1,000 population-increased from 5.8 to 10.2. We explore the determinants of the rise in antebellum pauperism using previously enexploited archival data. Changing labor market conditions, urbanization, and immigration led to a marked increase in the demand for public assistance. Antebellum taxpayers, however, were unwilling to maintain the generosity of relief at existing levels in the face of the rise in demand.
Characterizing heterogeneous permeable media with spatial statistics and tracer data using sequential simulated annealing

Characterizing heterogeneous permeable media using flow and transport data typically requires solution of an inverse problem. Such inverse problems are intensive computationally and may involve iterative procedures requiring many forward simulations of the flow and transport problem. Previous attempts have been limited mostly to flow data such as pressure transient (interference) tests using multiple observation wells. This paper discusses an approach to generating stochastic permeability fields conditioned to geologic data in the form of a vertical variogram derived from cores and logs as well as fluid flow and transport data, such as tracer concentration history, by sequential application of simulated annealing (SA). Thus, the method incorporates elements of geostatistics within the framework of inverse modeling. For tracer-transport calculations, we have used a semianalytic transit-time algorithm which is fast, accurate, and free of numerical dispersion. For steady velocity fields, we introduce a “transit-time function” which demonstrates the relative importance of data from different sources. The approach is illustrated by application to a set of spatial permeability measurements and tracer data from an experiment in the Antolini Sandstone, an eolian outcrop from northern Arizona. The results clearly reveal the importance of tracer data in reproducing the correlated features (channels) of the permeability field and the scale effects of heterogeneity.
Effect of dislocation substructures on fatigue fracture

The effect of dislocation substructures on fatigue is explored within the following categories: a) the dislocation substructures produced by cycling in annealed material and the effect of cycling on substructures introduced extraneously before cycling; b) hight and low strain fatigue fracture, expressed in terms of Coffin-manson or stress-life plots; and c) the effect of substructure on the mechanisms of crack nucleation and propagation. Usually, cycling is very effective in rearranging substructures introduced extraneously, especially at high strains. Consequently, there is little effect of the substructures on fatigue fracture except under some circumstances at low strains, and also if the agent of introducing the initial substructures has had an effect on the fracture process, for example, by opening cracks at inclusions. Dislocation substructure, however formed, is not significant,per se, to fatigue fracture except in acting as a source of plastic deformation.
258. CNS-Directed Antioxidant Enzyme Delivery: Protecting Neurons from Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis Induced by HIV-1

Oxidant stress-induced neuron apoptosis is a feature of many diseases affecting the CNS, including stroke, Alzheimer's disease and others. HIV-1 Tat is a soluble protein that induces neuronal apoptosis and is felt to play a critical role in HIV-1 induced CNS disease. Tat causes disruption of calcium homeostasis, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with consequent oxidative stress and apoptosis.
The Kinetics of Rectal Absorption III. *: The Absorption of Undissociated Molecules

A study of the rectal absorption of iodide-131 tagged iodoform and 2,4,6-triiodo-phenol, at pH's where the drug is undissociated, was carried out in liquid semi-aqueous isotonic vehicles containing the drug in suspension, in true solution, and in solution in surfactant micelles. First order analysis of the results indicated that the drugs are best absorbed from true solutions in water, or from water suspensions of the drug. Surface-active agents and polyoxyethylene polymers markedly retard the rate of absorption. The relative particle size of the suspended drug influenced the absorption rate. Solution of the drugs in solid polyethylene glycol and oleaginous bases resulted in very prolonged absorption times. Head count studies (simulating continuous blood level studies) and the data on the tissue distribution of the compounds are also presented.
Amino acid limitation and flow to the duodenum at four stages of lactation. 2. Extent of lysine limitation.

Abstract Four multiparous Holstein cows with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were assigned to 4 × 4 Latin squares at peak (wk 4), early (wk 14 to 16), mid (wk 21 to 23), and late (wk 29 to 31) lactation to determine, in the presence of supplemental Met, the extent of Lys limitation and its required contribution to total essential AA in duodenal digesta. Treatments were duodenal infusions of 1) water alone or water with 2) 10 g/d of DL-Met plus 10 g/d of L-Lys, 3) 10 g/d of Met plus 20 g/d of Lys, and 4) 10 g/d of Met plus 30 g/d of Lys; quantities were reduced by 20% in late lactation. Rations were corn-based (corn and grass-legume silages, corn meal, wheat middlings, soybean meal, and distillers dried grains with solubles) and most limiting in Lys and Met. Intakes of ruminally degraded and undegraded intake protein (percentage of NRC requirements) were (peak) 115, 97; (early) 112, 83; (mid) 113, 87; and (late) 127, 96. Contribution of Lys to passage of total essential AA to the duodenum without infusions were 13.2, 12.4, 13.8, and 14.8% at the four respective stages of lactation. Extent of Lys limitation determined from responses in content and yield of milk protein approximated 25, 20, and 10 g/d during peak, early, and midlactation. Using measurements of AA flow to the duodenum and assumed intestinal availabilities of 100% for infusate Lys and 80% for microbial and ruminally undegraded intake protein AA, calculated required contributions of Lys to total essential AA passing to the duodenum were 15.2, 13.9, and 14.5% for peak, early, and midlactation, respectively.
Antioxidative properties of glutaredoxin 2 in the lens

Glutaredoxin (Grx) belongs to the oxidoreductase family that controls cellular redox homeostasis. The glutathione-dependent Grx has a typical CXXC motif at its active site for efficient antioxidative function, and contains cytosolic Grx1 and mitochondrial Grx2 isoforms found in the lens and other ocular tissues. Both Grx1 and Grx2 have dethiolase activity that can reduce oxidized thiols in proteins/enzymes and restore enzymes/proteins activities/functions. Grx2 has additional peroxidase activity that can eliminate reactive oxygen species to maintain redox balance in cells. Its ability to protect the mitochondrial function makes it an effective molecule in preventing cell apoptosis. Our studies have shown that knockout (KO) Grx2 gene in lens epithelial cells causes the cells to be less viable with high sensitivity to oxidative stress, leakage in mitochondrial membrane, low ability to detoxify H2O2, and apoptotic. Enrich Grx2 KO cells with native recombinant Grx2 protein can rescue the cells from oxidative damage and apoptosis. Grx2 KO cells show impaired complex I and complex IV functions with low ATP pool. Mice with Grx2 gene deletion develop age-related cataract much faster than that of the wild type control mice.
Synthesis of 4-Fluoro-β-(4-fluorophenyl)-l-phenylalanine by an Asymmetric Phase-Transfer Catalyzed Alkylation: Synthesis on Scale and Catalyst Stability

4-Fluoro-β-(4-fluorophenyl)-l-phenylalanine 1 was synthesized by the asymmetric phase-transfer catalyzed alkylation of tert-butyl glycinate-benzophenone Schiff base using the cinchona alkaloid derived catalyst 6. Upon scaling, it was observed that to achieve high levels of enantioselectivity, it was necessary to add the catalyst or base last. From these studies, insight into the stability of the catalyst 6 under the reaction conditions was gained.
Surface roughness and size effects in quantized films

The effect of random surface roughness on quantum size effects in thin films is discussed. The conductivity of quantized metal films is analyzed for different types of experimentally identified correlation functions of surface inhomogeneities including the Gaussian, exponential, power-law correlators, and correlators with a power-law decay of the power density spectral function. The dependence of the conductivity \ensuremath{\sigma} on the film thickness L, correlation radius of inhomogeneities R, and the fermion density is investigated. The goal is to help in extracting surface parameters from transport measurements and to determine the importance of the choice of the proper surface correlator for transport theory. A peculiar size effect is predicted for quantized films with large correlation radius of random surface corrugation. The effect exists for inhomogeneities with Gaussian and exponential power spectrum; if the decay of power spectrum is slow, the films exhibit usual quantum size effect. The conductivity $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ exhibits well-pronounced oscillations as a function of channel width L or density of fermions, and large steps as a function of the correlation radius R. These oscillations and steps are explained and their positions identified. This phenomenon, which is reminiscent of magnetic breakthrough, can allow direct observation of the quantum size effect in conductivity of nanoscale metal films. The only region with a nearly universal behavior of transport is the region in which particle wavelength is close to the correlation radius of surface inhomogeneities.
Phase Separation and Crystallization of Hemoglobin C in Transgenic Mouse and Human Erythrocytes

Individuals expressing hemoglobin C (β6 Glu→Lys) present red blood cells (RBC) with intraerythrocytic crystals that form when hemoglobin (Hb) is oxygenated. Our earlier in vitro liquid-liquid (L-L) phase separation studies demonstrated that liganded HbC exhibits a stronger net intermolecular attraction with a longer range than liganded HbS or HbA, and that L-L phase separation preceded and enhanced crystallization. We now present evidence for the role of phase separation in HbC crystallization in the RBC, and the role of the RBC membrane as a nucleation center. RBC obtained from both human homozygous HbC patients and transgenic mice expressing only human HbC were studied by bright-field and differential interference contrast video-enhanced microscopy. RBC were exposed to hypertonic NaCl solution (1.5–3%) to induce crystallization within an appropriate experimental time frame. L-L phase separation occurred inside the RBC, which in turn enhanced the formation of intraerythrocytic crystals. RBC L-L phase separation and crystallization comply with the thermodynamic and kinetics laws established through in vitro studies of phase transformations. This is the first report, to the best of our knowledge, to capture a temporal view of intraerythrocytic HbC phase separation, crystal formation, and dissolution.
Thermally stimulated currents in trigonal selenium

Abstract Upon u.v. irradiation of trigonal selenium, thermally stimulated currents have been observed between 100°K and 320°K, from which two trapping levels. 0.45 and 0.54°V below the conduction band, have been derived.
The Human Dimensions of Chronic Wasting Disease: Introduction to the Special Issue

This is the third special issue devoted to the human dimensions of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Several of the articles were presented at the Third International Symposium on Chronic Wasting Dise...
Smart skin spiral antenna with chiral absorber

Recently there has been considerable interest toward designing 'smart skins' for aircraft. The smart skin is a composite layer which may contain conformal radars, conformal microstrip antennas or spiral antennas for electromagnetic applications. These embedded antennas will give rise to very low radar cross section (RCS) or can be completely 'hidden' to tracking radar. In addition, they can be used to detect, monitor or even jam other unwanted electromagnetic field signatures. This paper is designed to address some technical advances made to reduce the size of spiral antennas using tunable dielectric materials and chiral absorbers. The purpose is to design, develop and fabricate a thin, wideband, conformal spiral antenna architecture that is structurally integrable and which uses advanced Penn State dielectric and absorber materials to achieve wideband ground planes, and together with low RCS. Traditional practice has been to design radome and antenna as separate entities and then resolve any interface problems during an integration phase. A structurally integrable conformal antenna, however, demands that the functional components be highly integrated both conceptually and in practice. Our concept is to use the lower skin of the radome as a substrate on which the radiator can be made using standard photolithography, thick film or LTCC techniques.
Developing Evolving Machines for Creative Customers

Realizing good quality as a final product has been our traditional approach to machine design. Therefore, current machines are provided with a wide range of full fledged functions. But the higher the function levels become and the more complex a machine becomes, the more our customers feel uneasy. Traditional reliability deals with the issue of verification. i.e., “Are we making the product right?” But what we should ask ourselves in this age of frequent and extensive changes is “Are we making the right product?” This is the issue of validation. We have to consider how we can satisfy our customers’ expectations to really gain their trust. Machines become too much complex so our customers do not know what to expect. We have to give a clear message to our customers what to expect and how their expectation will be satisfied. If we could evolve our machines’ functions step by step just as in software, our creative customers would become happier because they would know what to expect so that they can enjoy “customizing” their products to their current needs and to their tastes. Our customers could share their experience and share their stories with their friends. Such adaptive maintenance will satisfy the human needs pointed out by Maslow and would produce a greater life time value than a one time value we produce as a final product.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Formation of Copper (II) Arene Complexes on the Interlamellar Surfaces of Montmorillonite

Infrared spectroscopy has shown that two distinct types of copper (II) arene complexes can be formed by binding to dehydrated clay minerals.
The Relationship Between Electromigration-Induced Short-Circuit and Open-Circuit Failure Times in Multi-Layer VLSI Technologies

A comparison between the electromigration lifetime, defined as open circuits and short circuits in Cr/Al-Cu conductor stripes undergoing high current density stress, was made. The lifetime, if defined by open-circuit failure time, is much longer with a larger standard deviation than that defined by short-circuit failure time. The implications for reliability predictions are discussed.
Can state medical boards adequately respond to reports that physicians are inappropriately prescribing opioids

In this issue, Reidenberg and Willis share results of a 2-year study of cases in which physicians were criminally prosecuted for their prescribing of opioids “outside the bounds of proper medical practice.”1 They found that in only two of 32 such cases had a state medical board reviewed the case before indictment. In many of the cases, the authors argue that the prosecutors overreached and that these kinds of cases could be better handled by referral to state medical boards. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2007) 81, 799–801. doi:10.1038/sj.clpt.6100209
Very-high-resolution time-lapse photography for plant and ecosystems research.

Premise of the study: Traditional photography is a compromise between image detail and area covered. We report a new method for creating time-lapse sequences of very-high-resolution photographs to produce zoomable images that facilitate observation across a range of spatial and temporal scales. Methods and Results: A robotic camera mount and software were used to capture images of the growth and movement in Brassica rapa every 15 s in the laboratory. The resultant time-lapse sequence (http://timemachine.gigapan.org/wiki/Plant_Growth) captures growth detail such as circumnutation. A modified, solar-powered system was deployed at a remote field site in southern Arizona. Images were collected every 2 h over a 3-mo period to capture the response of vegetation to monsoon season rainfall (http://timemachine.gigapan.org/wiki/Arizona_Grasslands). Conclusions: A technique for observing time sequences of both individual plant and ecosystem response at a range of spatial scales is available for use in the laboratory...
Massively parallel image reconstruction for the BNL breast scanner PET tomograph using CUDA

We describe the implementation of an image reconstruction algorithm using the parallel processing capabilities of graphics processors. We are designing a new breast scanner which will allow simultaneous acquisition of PET and MRI images. The breast scanner is based on the technology of the much smaller RatCAP PET detector. The image reconstruction of the breast scanner poses a significant computing challenge, which we hope to alleviate with the processing power of modern GPUs. We describe the status of the reconstruction and discuss goals and future possible improvements.
Multichannel and block based precoding methods for fixed point equalization of nonlinear communication channels

Substantial power efficiency improvements are possible in communication systems if a moderate amount of nonlinearity is permitted at the transmitter amplifier and corrected for at the receiver. The Volterra series is a suitable model for many power amplifiers, and is readily incorporated into bandpass and multipath communication channel models. Existing fixed point equalization algorithms for Volterra channels place restrictive conditions on the locations of the zeros of the first-order kernel. In this paper we show that multichannel and block based precoding linear equalization techniques can be combined with the fixed point equalizer to allow for exact (zero forcing) equalization of Volterra systems with mixed-phase first-order kernels. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed equalizers.
Getting Diagnostic Reasoning off the Ground: Maturing Technology with TacSat-3

Space missions face unique challenges in planning, monitoring, and executing because of their complexity, the difficulty of anticipating problems once launched, and the high cost of failure. One technology field with the potential to solve this problem is reasoning technologies-that is, embedded intelligence. NASA has invested heavily in reasoning technologies for space missions, reaching an early zenith with the DS-1 Remote Agent experiment in 1998. However, acceptance of these technologies remains elusive.
A 3-d broadband dual-layer multiaperture microstrip directional coupler

A three-dimensional (3-D) broadband dual-layer multiaperature microstrip directional coupler is presented in this paper. The dual-layer, multiaperature directional coupler consists of two-layer back-to-back substrates with 15 small coupling apertures on the center ground plane. A novel rectangular multiaperature coupling structure with very small width is used to greatly extend the bandwidth and operating frequency of the coupler. The /spl plusmn/2.4 dB coupling variation bandwidth of the couplers is more than 1.5 octaves from 9.79 to 29.55 GHz. The insertion losses, return losses at all ports and directivities, are better than 1.7 dB, 10.26 dB, and 10.3 dB over the bandwidth, respectively. The measurements agree well with the simulations.
Self-evaluation of unintended biases and prejudices

A scale for measuring self-assessment of factors, which might lead to unintended biases and prejudices, was tested with 39 professionals working with adolescents on probation. The scale has 10 items (e.g., "Would feel comfortable providing clinical services to [e.g., African Americans]." Each item was rated on a 3-point scale so as summated scores increase across items the probability of unintended biases and prejudices against five culturally diverse groups (African American, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic, and White) would also increase. The coefficient alpha was .87. Participants' mean unintended bias and prejudices across items were always lower toward clients from their own racial or ethnic group. For example, Hispanic and White participants tended to be more prompt to display these attitudes against African Americans, relative to African-American participants. White participants, however, reported lower scores leading to unintended biases in the case of White clients, relative to African-American and Hispanic participants. Overall, participants' mean unintended bias and prejudices against American Indian and Asian clients tended to be higher with these groups, relative to clients from the African-American, Hispanic, and White communities. Results are discussed in terms of further development of the scale in the design of cross-cultural training in various working environments with culturally diverse clients.
Effective Family-Based Interventions for Adolescents With Substance Use Problems: A Systematic Review:

Objective: This article is a systematic review identifying effective family-based interventions for adolescent substance use problems. Method: A substantive review of each intervention is conducted using guidelines for effective treatment for substance use problems. Additionally, a methodological review of each study is done using criteria for empirically validated treatments. Results: Treatment components of five interventions—Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT), Family Behavior Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), and Multisystemic Treatment—were consistent with a majority of guidelines for effective treatment. Notable exceptions include no aftercare and poor treatment retention. MDFT and BSFT met criteria of probably efficacious treatment, whereas the other interventions represented promising treatments. Moreover, MDFT demonstrated clinically significant changes in substance use and large effect sizes at posttreatment and follow-up. Conclusion: To increase provi...
Syria's intervention in the Lebanese civil war, 1976: a domestic conflict explanation

Syria's intervention in the Lebanese civil war in the late spring of 1976 has usually been explained in either structural or perceptual terms. Neither kind of account does a very good job of explaining the character and timing of this military operation. But relating the intervention to changes in Syria's domestic political situation accounts for it much more satisfactorily. Specifically, Syria's ruling social coalition found itself confronted with a substantial threat to its political position in the country from small farmers, craftspeople, and workers in the north-central provinces during the first months of 1976. In response to this threat, each member of the ruling coalition adopted a program that would insure its own dominance, but only at the expense of its domestic political allies. Under these circumstances, these social forces moved into Lebanon in an attempt to secure the capital, manufactured goods, and port facilities that would enable them to suppress their domestic political opponents while maintaining their own alliance. Domestic political struggles thus provide a more plausible explanation for Syria's intervention than either of the other two arguments can.
Formalism for traveltime inversion with finite frequency effects

SUMMARY A simple modification of the waveform inversion formula, based on the normal mode perturbation theory, is shown to lead to a formula for traveltime anomalies. The kernel which is derived can be used for traveltime inversion with automatic inclusion of finite frequency effects. Inversion for Earth structure with such kernels will lead to better resolution estimates than ray-theoretical traveltime inversion. Examples of kernels for transverse component seismograms are shown for direct S waves, ScS, Love waves and diffracted S waves. A measure of finite frequency effects is also proposed by comparing our formula with the one from ray theory. A quantity which should be 1 in the case of ray theory is computed for the finite frequency kernels and is shown to have deviations up to about 30 per cent from 1. Therefore, the use of ray theory for long-period body waves applies incorrect weight along a ray path and may introduce a small bias to an earth model.
Myc proteins as therapeutic targets

Myc proteins (c-myc, Mycn and Mycl) target proliferative and apoptotic pathways vital for progression in cancer. Amplification of the MYCN gene has emerged as one of the clearest indicators of aggressive and chemotherapy-refractory disease in children with neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. Phosphorylation and ubiquitin-mediated modulation of Myc protein influence stability and represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Phosphorylation of Myc proteins is controlled in-part by the receptor tyrosine kinase/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mTOR signaling, with additional contributions from Aurora A kinase. Myc proteins regulate apoptosis in part through interactions with the p53/Mdm2/Arf signaling pathway. Mutation in p53 is commonly observed in patients with relapsed neuroblastoma, contributing to both biology and therapeutic resistance. This review examines Myc function and regulation in neuroblastoma, and discusses emerging therapies that target Mycn.
A Skeletochronological Assessment of Age–Parasitism Relationships in Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus)

Abstract Amphibian parasite communities are often suggested to be dependent on host size. However, age-related differences in parasite exposure and susceptibility could lead to differences in parasitism unaccounted for by host size. To address these hypotheses, we determined the ages of Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) using skeletochronology and assessed the relationships of host age and size with helminth infections. Neither age nor size was significantly related to helminth species richness. Total infection intensity increased with female age and generally increased with age and size in males. However, these overall measures may mask more complex dynamics with individual helminth species. Although the intensity of Alaria spp. increased in males initially, both the intensity and prevalence of Alaria spp. ultimately decreased with male age. The prevalence of both Fibricola sp. and Echinoparyphium rubrum increased with female age. The abundance of Fibricola sp. also increased with female age, whereas Fi...
Postexercise electrocardiography: correlations with coronary arteriography and left ventricular hemodynamics.

Abstract Postexercise electrocardiograms were related to coronary arteriograms in 100 cases and were correlated with left ventricular hemodynamics at rest and during mild exercise in 78 of these cases. The incidence and degree of exercise-induced “ischemie” S-T segment depression increased significantly with increasing extent of coronary artery disease. A criterion for abnormality of 0.5 mm or greater S-T depression offered a specificity of true negative responses of 83 percent and a sensitivity of true positive responses of 63 percent. A criterion of 1.0 mm or greater S-T depression produced a specificity of 100 percent but at the expense of a reduced sensitivity of 35 percent true positive responses. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was the only hemodynamic index that correlated with either the extent of coronary artery disease or the degree of exercise-induced S-T segment depression. Patients with S-T segment depression of 1.0 mm or greater had significantly greater values for left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, both at rest and during exercise, than did patients with lesser degrees of S-T depression. The “2-step” exercise test provides an imperfect though independent means for predicting the presence and extent of significant coronary artery disease in the individual patient, and abnormal results on this test may suggest an associated abnormal rise in left ventricular filling pressure during exercise.
Alternative Splicing of cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinase I in Angiotensin-Hypertension: Novel Mechanism for Nitrate Tolerance in Vascular Smooth Muscle

Nitrate tolerance (NT) in hypertension is attributed to reduced activity of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC). We examined NT in basilar artery vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from control rats, rats infused with angiotensin II (Ang; 240 microg/kg per hour for 4 days), which were normotensive, and Ang-hypertensive rats (AHR; 240 microg/kg per hour for 28 days). Ca2+-activated K+ (Maxi-K) channels in VSMCs from AHR showed reduced activation by NO donor, consistent with NT. The concentration-response relationship for 8-Br-cGMP was shifted 2.5-fold to the right, indicating that abnormal sGC alone could not account for NT. Inside-out patches from AHR showed normal activation with exogenous cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (cGKI), suggesting no abnormality downstream of cGKI. We hypothesized that the reduction in apparent affinity of 8-Br-cGMP for cGKI in AHR might be due to a change in relative amounts of cGKIalpha versus cGKIbeta, since cGKIbeta is less sensitive to cGMP activators than cGKIalpha. This was substantiated by showing the following in AHR: (1) reduced effect of the cGKIalpha-selective activator 8-APT-cGMP; (2) reduced total cGKI protein (both isoforms), but an increase in cGKIbeta protein in quantitative immunofluorescence and Western blots; (3) similar changes in cGKI isoforms immunoisolated with Maxi-K channels; and (4) a large increase in cGKIbeta mRNA and a decrease in cGKIalpha mRNA in real-time PCR and Northern blots. Upregulation of cytosolic cGKIbeta was evident 4 days after Ang infusion, before development of hypertension. Our data identify a functional role for cGKIbeta in VSMCs previously ascribed exclusively to cGKIalpha. Ang-induced alternative splicing of cGKI represents a novel mechanism for reducing sensitivity to NO/cGMP.
Supervision With Marian Tolpin: The Total Transference

The following case illustrates the conceptual framework Marian Tolpin used with me in a 2½-year supervision—namely, the distinct transferences of pathology and remaining health. Taken together, Marian Tolpin called these the total transference. I came to see that these two dimensions of the transference were often intertwined. It was important to be cognizant when I was responding to one dimension or both in the interpretation. This case shows how Tolpin's conceptual framework not only can help to heal psychopathology, but also can foster the development of psychological capacities and resources. In the course of treatment, the analysand developed a newfound sense of self-esteem, a capacity to tolerate a wide range of affects, and to understand himself and others with a greater capacity to appreciate complexity. All of this contributed to his goal of achieving a far more fulfilling relationship than he had imagined possible.
Loss of Bacterial Diversity during Antibiotic Treatment of Intubated Patients Colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Management of airway infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious clinical challenge, but little is known about the microbial ecology of airway infections in intubated patients. We analyzed bacterial diversity in endotracheal aspirates obtained from intubated patients colonized by P. aeruginosa by using 16S rRNA clone libraries and microarrays (PhyloChip) to determine changes in bacterial community compositions during antibiotic treatment. Bacterial 16S rRNA genes were absent from aspirates obtained from patients briefly intubated for elective surgery but were detected by PCR in samples from all patients intubated for longer periods. Sequencing of 16S rRNA clone libraries demonstrated the presence of many orally, nasally, and gastrointestinally associated bacteria, including known pathogens, in the lungs of patients colonized with P. aeruginosa. PhyloChip analysis detected the same organisms and many additional bacterial groups present at low abundance that were not detected in clone libraries. For each patient, both culture-independent methods showed that bacterial diversity decreased following the administration of antibiotics, and communities became dominated by a pulmonary pathogen. P. aeruginosa became the dominant species in six of seven patients studied, despite treatment of five of these six with antibiotics to which it was sensitive in vitro. Our data demonstrate that the loss of bacterial diversity under antibiotic selection is highly associated with the development of pneumonia in ventilated patients colonized with P. aeruginosa. Interestingly, PhyloChip analysis demonstrated reciprocal changes in abundance between P. aeruginosa and the class Bacilli, suggesting that these groups may compete for a similar ecological niche and suggesting possible mechanisms through which the loss of microbial diversity may directly contribute to pathogen selection and persistence.
Running Away from Home Incidence and Correlates among Children and Youth Referred for Mental Health Services

PARENTratings of the behavior of 2,967 children aged 4-16 who had been referred for mental health services and 1,300 nonreferred children were analyzed with the goal of determining the incidence and correlates of running away from home. Running away was from 5-30 times more frequent among referred children than among normal children. Several behavioral problems were significantly associated with running away among referred children, including truancy, bad friends, poor relations with parents, disobedience, stealing, use of alcohol and drugs, lying, suicidal threats and gestures, cruelty, and destructiveness. Results suggest that for a substantial portion of runaway youth, the act of running away may be symptomatic of broader syndromes of psychopathology and patterns of maladaption, and that programs for runaways should be linked more directly to mental health services for disturbed children and their families.