cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oncologic Outcomes Following Partial Nephrectomy and Percutaneous Ablation for cT1 Renal Masses.

Abstract Background Long-term data comparing partial nephrectomy (PN) and thermal ablation are lacking. Objective To update our experience with PN, percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and percutaneous cryoablation for cT1 renal masses. Design, setting, and participants A total of 1798 patients with primary cT1N0M0 renal masses treated between 2000 and 2011 at Mayo Clinic were identified. Intervention Percutaneous ablation versus PN. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Cancer-specific survival (CSS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Local recurrence, metastases, and death from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were compared with propensity-score–adjusted Cox models. Results and limitations Among 1422 cT1a patients, 1055, 180, and 187 underwent PN, RFA, and cryoablation with median clinical follow-up of 9.4, 7.5, and 6.3 yr, respectively. Comparisons of RFA with PN resulted in hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–4.04, p = 0.4), 1.46 (95% CI 0.41–5.19, p = 0.6), and 1.99 (95% CI 0.29–13.56, p = 0.5) for local recurrence, metastases, and death from RCC. Comparisons of cryoablation to PN resulted in HRs of 1.88 (95% CI 0.76–4.66, p = 0.18), 0.23 (95% CI 0.03–1.72, p = 0.15), and 0.29 (95% CI 0.01–6.11, p = 0.4) for these same outcomes. Five-year CSS was 99%, 96%, and 100% for PN, RFA, and cryoablation, respectively. Among 376 cT1b patients, 324 and 52 underwent PN and cryoablation with median clinical follow-up of 8.7 and 6.0 yr, respectively. Comparisons of cryoablation with PN resulted in HRs of 1.22 (95% CI 0.33–4.48, p = 0.8), 0.95 (95% CI 0.21–4.38, p > 0.9), and 1.94 (95% CI 0.42–8.96, p = 0.4) for local recurrence, metastases, and death from RCC, respectively. Five-year CSS was 98% and 91% for PN and cryoablation, respectively. Limitations include retrospective review and selection bias. Conclusions With mature follow-up at a single institution, percutaneous ablation appears to have acceptable results for cT1 renal tumors and is appropriate for patients with a contraindication for surgery. For cT1a patients, clinically relevant differences between PN and ablation are unlikely, and treatment choice should involve shared decision making. For cT1b patients, death from RCC was more common with cryoablation, and large differences in this outcome cannot be ruled out. Further research is needed to confirm the oncologic effectiveness of cryoablation in the cT1b setting. Patient summary With appropriate patient triage, partial nephrectomy and percutaneous ablation can be used to treat cT1 renal masses, although additional follow-up and further study are still needed.
Multiplexed dissection of a model human transcription factor binding site architecture

Abstract In eukaryotes, transcription factors orchestrate gene expression by binding to TF-Binding Sites (TFBSs) and localizing transcriptional co-regulators and RNA Polymerase II to cis-regulatory elements. The strength and regulation of transcription can be modulated by a variety of factors including TFBS composition, TFBS affinity and number, distance between TFBSs, distance of TFBSs to transcription start sites, and epigenetic modifications. We still lack a basic comprehension of how such variables shaping cis-regulatory architecture culminate in quantitative transcriptional responses. Here we explored how such factors determine the transcriptional activity of a model transcription factor, the c-AMP Response Element (CRE) binding protein. We measured expression driven by 4,602 synthetic regulatory elements in a massively parallel reporter assay (MPRA) exploring the impact of CRE number, affinity, distance to the promoter, and spacing between multiple CREs. We found the number and affinity of CREs within regulatory elements largely determines overall expression, and this relationship is shaped by the proximity of each CRE to the downstream promoter. In addition, while we observed expression periodicity as the CRE distance to the promoter varied, the spacing between multiple CREs altered this periodicity. Finally, we compare library expression between an episomal MPRA and a new, genomically-integrated MPRA in which a single synthetic regulatory element is present per cell at a defined locus. We observe that these largely recapitulate each other although weaker, non-canonical CREs exhibited greater activity in the genomic context.
A CRISPR Way to Identify Cancer Targets.

Lethal Strategies against Tumor Cells Two sets of investigators inactivated, one at a time, about 18,000 genes in hundreds of cancer cell lines. They thereby identified specific genes that certain ...
Rovibrationally Resolved Photodissociation of HeH

Accurate photodissociation cross sections have been obtained for the A1Σ+ ← X1Σ+ electronic transition of HeH+ using ab initio potential curves and dipole transition moments. Partial cross sections have been evaluated for all rotational transitions from the vibrational levels v'' = 0-11 and over the entire accessible wavelength range λλ100-1129. Assuming a Boltzmann distribution of the rovibrational levels of the X1Σ+ state, photodissociation cross sections are presented for temperatures between 500 and 12,000 K. A similar set of calculations was performed for the pure rovibrational photodissociation in the X1Σ+ electronic ground state, but covering photon wavelengths into the far-infrared. Applications of the cross sections to the destruction of HeH+ in the early universe and in UV-irradiated environments such as primordial halos and protoplanetary disks are briefly discussed.
How Does the Rule of Law Impact the FDI Attraction?A Panel Study on Chinese Municipal Governments (2013-2017)

This study focuses on the impact of the rule of law on FDI attraction in Chinese cities from 2013 to 2017. I divide nomocracy into four aspects and measure their different effects on FDI inflows. Furthermore, I present credible evidence that economic backgrounds influence the rule of law's marginal effects. My research will provide reasonable conclusions that rule of law, both general measurements, and its sub-indicators, has a significant influence on FDI inflows. In addition, their impacts are conditional on the cities’ performance in economic development.
Enduring effects of adolescent ketamine exposure on cocaine- and sucrose-induced reward in male and female C57BL/6 mice.

Ketamine has shown promising antidepressant efficacy for adolescent treatment-resistant depression. However, the potential enduring consequences of ketamine exposure have not been thoroughly evaluated. Thus, we examined if juvenile ketamine treatment results in long-lasting changes for the rewarding properties of sucrose and cocaine in adulthood, across three separate experiments. In Experiment 1, adolescent male and female C57BL/6 mice received ketamine (20 mg/kg) for 15 consecutive days (Postnatal Day [PD] 35–49). Twenty-one days later (PD70; adulthood) we examined their behavioral responsivity to sucrose (1%) on a two-bottle choice design, or cocaine (0, 5, 10 mg/kg) using the conditioned place preference (CPP) test. We found that juvenile ketamine-pretreatment increased preference for sucrose and environments paired with cocaine in male, but not female, adult mice. This long-term outcome was not observed when male and female mice received ketamine as adults (PD70-84) and tested for sucrose and cocaine preference 21-days later (Experiment 2). Similarly, in Experiment 3, no long-lasting differences in these measures were observed when adolescent male mice were exposed to concomitant ketamine and social stressors (PD35-44), namely the social defeat or vicarious defeat stress paradigms—procedures that mediated a depression-related phenotype (along with a ketamine antidepressant-like response). Collectively, we demonstrate that in the absence of physical or psychological stress, adolescent ketamine exposure increases later life preference for the rewarding properties of sucrose and cocaine in a sex- and age-specific manner. As such, this preclinical work provides awareness for the potential long-term behavioral consequences associated with juvenile ketamine exposure.
The Paradigm Shifting Role of Solar Powered DC Nano-Grids in New Electrification and Replacement for Traditional Grid Distribution

Recent advancements in photovoltaic (PV) systems and batteries are changing the paradigm of electricity generation and distribution. In this paper, an extensive investigation has been done on the benefits of PV powered DC based nano-grid over the traditional way of AC consumption. PV is no longer a niche application, rather it can compete as the mainstream energy source without any subsidies. The improvements and volume manufacturing of Li-ion battery has lowered the price and made it suitable for storing PV generated electricity. Thus, PV generation and local storage can provide a much better choice when it comes to new electrification. In many cases, establishing a PV based DC nano-grid can be much simpler than expanding or installing a traditional grid. With the change of electricity consumption mode from AC to DC, many benefits can be reaped. Going all DC can save energy and capital expenditure by eliminating DC-AC and AC-DC conversion losses. Eventually, the traditional grid distribution can be replaced with PV powered DC nano-grids.
Japan and National Anthropology: A Critique

Acknowledgement Notes to the Reader Introduction 1. Anthropology and the War 2. Benedictian Myth 3. Occupation Anthropology 4. Locating Japanese Kinship 5. The Emergence of National Anthropology 6. Japanese Self Afterword Notes Bibliography Index
Molecular Interactions Between Hb α-G Philadelphia, HbC, and HbS: Phenotypic Implications for SC α-G Philadelphia Disease

We show here that αG-Phila. 2βC 2 has an increased rate of crystal nucleation compared to α2 βC 2 (HbC). We conclude from this finding that position α68, the mutation site of αG-Phila. 2 β2 (HbGPhiladelphia), is a contact site in the crystal of HbC. In addition, that HbS enhances HbC crystallization (additive to the effect of αG-Phila, as shown here) and that αG-Phila. inhibits polymerization of HbS are pathogenically relevant previously known facts. All of these findings help explain the phenotype of an individual simultaneously heterozygous for the βS, βC, and the αG-Phila. genes (SCα-G Philadelphia disease). This disease is characterized by a mild clinical course, abundant circulating intraerythrocytic crystals, and increased folded red cells. This phenotype seems to be the result of increased crystallization and decreased polymerization brought about by the opposite effects of the gene product of the αG-Phila. gene on the βC and βS gene products. Some of the intraerythrocytic crystals in this syndrome are unusually long and thin, resembling sugar canes, unlike those seen in SC disease. The mild clinical course associated with increased crystallization implies that, in SC disease, polymerization of HbS is pathogenically more important than the crystallization induced by βC chains. The SCα-G Philadelphia disease is an example of multiple hemoglobin chain interactions (epistatic effect among globin genes) creating a unique phenotype.
Diuretic pattern in adults with nocturnal polyuria: the possible contribution of blood pressure to the worsening of nocturnal polyuria.

Aim: The present study was undertaken to investigate diuresis rate determinants of nocturnal polyuria (NP) in adults. Subjects and Methods: A total of 33 patients aged 50–87 years (mean: 68.6), with nocturnal urine volumes exceeding 10 mL per kg body weight based on records of a frequency-volume chart, were enrolled to evaluate the relationships between diuresis rates and related variables. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify diuresis rate determinants, including brain natriuretic peptide. Furthermore, a hypertonic saline infusion test was conducted to examine the arginine vasopressin (AVP) response to plasma osmotic change. Results: Nocturnal voids correlated negatively with the daytime diuresis rate (P = 0.019). Despite a similar total urine volume per kg body weight (TUV/kgBw), systolic and mean blood pressure (MBP) significantly correlated with the nocturnal diuresis rate positively and the daytime diuresis rate negatively. The MBP, which was selected as a representative variable for blood pressure, was found to be an independent determinant for the nocturnal. The MBP and TUV/kgBw were independent determinants for the daytime diuresis rate on multiple regression analyses. Neither age, AVP, nor brain natriuretic peptide were determinants for them. When divided into two groups using their median nocturnal diuresis rates (0.023 mL/kg/min), there was no difference in the prevalence of stroke and the taking of hypnotics between the groups. Overall, a hypervolemic condition or increased sympathetic nerve activity in NP was suggested using the hypertonic saline infusion test. Conclusions: These results indicate that blood pressure might play an important role as a determinant of increasing nocturnal diuresis in NP.
Hey Big Spender: Testing Alternate Theories on Variance in Welfare "National Effort"

Industrialization made possible not only the unprecedented flow of goods and services, but also the mobilization of citizens to change government policy. The countries we know today as the Advanced Industrial Democracies all responded with a 'new reciprocity' toward their citizens, meaning that the national governments took on the additional responsibility of providing for the general welfare of their people. While capitalism and democracy remained the norm in all of these countries, their welfare programs expanded in terms of people served and benefits given. Thus, each of these countries developed into a "welfare state." What started out as an economic revolution ended up having a profound effect on social policy in the Advanced Industrials.
Experimental Design: Compliance

This article is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 8, pp. 5081–5086, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
Changing Minds: The Work of Mediators and Empirical Studies of Persuasion

The use of mediation has grown exponentially in recent years in courts, agencies, and community settings. Yet the field of mediation still operates to a considerable extent on folklore and opinion, rather than reliable knowledge. Mediator attempts at persuasion are pervasive in a wide variety of mediation contexts, yet "persuasion" is, for some, a pejorative word and a contested norm in the field. Perhaps as a result, there has been little, if any, evidence-based writing about what kinds of persuasive appeals might be effective in mediation, how they might operate, and how they might be experienced by disputants.In an effort to begin to fill that void, this article examines empirical research findings on persuasion from such diverse fields as advertising, public health, communications, politics and race relations. It focuses on studies of both indirect or behavioral approaches to persuasion (role reversal, apology, group brainstorming) and different types of direct persuasive appeals (questions vs. statements, more vs. less explicit statements, use of "negative" emotions such as fear and guilt, and sequential vs. straightforward requests for concessions). As almost none of the empirical work on persuasion has involved dispute resolution, the article raises questions about how these social science findings might apply to the work of mediators. Some of the research findings described in this article are unsurprising, while others may challenge common assumptions. Where the research appears at odds with conventional mediation wisdom, the authors discuss its potential implications for ongoing philosophical and skills-based debates in the field. Of particular note, the literature canvassed in this article may cast new light on old debates about facilitative versus evaluative mediation, and the importance of mediators having substantive, as well as process, expertise.
The European Court of Human Rights and the Freedom of Expression

Both the doctrine and the judges of the European Court of Human Rights (the “Strasbourg Court” or “court”) seem to derive pleasure from the complexity inherent in the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (“Convention”). This complexity stems from several factors, including the text of Article 10 itself. The text defines several components of the “right to freedom of expression,” including the freedom to express one’s opinion, the freedom to communicate information, and the freedom to receive information. In
Properties of rhodopsin dependent on associated phospholipid.

Abstract Rhodopsin prepared from frozen bovine retinal tissue by washing the visual cell outer segment fraction with Tergitol XH and solubilizing in Triton X-100 contains approximately 91 µmoles of phospholipid per µmole of rhodopsin and shows spectral ratios (A278:A498 = 1.85;A400:A498 = 0.183) approaching those of the best preparations obtainable by chromatographic procedures. Removal of most of the phospholipid associated with the protein results in a decrease in the molar extinction coefficient at 498 mµ, an increase in the reactivity of sulfhydryl groups, and an inability of the visual pigment to be regenerated after bleaching. Regenerability after bleaching and the original pattern of sulfhydryl group reactivity are restored by addition of phosphatidylethanolamine to approximately 30 µmoles of phosphatidylethanolamine per µmole of rhodopsin. It is concluded that the properties of rhodopsin are sufficiently dependent upon associated phospholipid to support the view that rhodopsin is a lipoprotein.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE THERMAL ENVIRONMENT UPON THE SURVIVAL OF NEWLY BORN PREMATURE INFANTS

The influence of two contrasting environmental temperatures upon time survival rates of premature infants in the first 5 days of life was studied. Infants who were placed in incubators with an air tamperature of 31.7°C (89°F) had a higher survival rate than controls who were in incubators maintained at 28.9°C (84°F). In this clinical trial a sequential, matched-pairs plan was used to evaluate the differences in survival under the two study conditions.
Socio‐Cognitive Model of Trust: Basic Ingredients

This chapter contains sections titled: A Five‐Part Relation and a Layered Model Trust as Mental Attitude: a Belief‐Based and Goal‐Based Model Expectations: Their Nature and Cognitive Anatomy ‘No Danger’: Negative or Passive or Defensive Trust Weakening the Belief‐Base: Implicit Beliefs, Acceptances, and Trust by‐Default From Disposition to Action Can we Decide to Trust? Risk, Investment and Bet Trust and Delegation The Other Parts of the Relation: the Delegated Task and the Context Genuine Social Trust: Trust and Adoption Resuming the Model References
On the Computational Power of Limited Precision Weights Neutral Networks in Classification Problems: How to Calculate the Weight Range so that a Solution Will Exist

This paper analyzes some aspects of the computational power of neural networks using integer weights in a very restricted range. Using limited range integer values opens the road for efficient VLSI implementations because i) a limited range for the weights can be translated into reduced storage requirements and ii) integer computation can be implemented in a more efficient way than the floating point one. The paper concentrates on classification problems and shows that, if the weights are restricted in a drastic way (both range and precision), the existence of a solution is not to be taken for granted anymore. We show that, if the weight range is not chosen carefully, the network will not be able to implement a solution independently on the number of units available on the first hidden layer. The paper presents an existence result which relates the difficulty of the problem as characterized by the minimum distance between patterns of different classes to the weight range necessary to ensure that a solution exists. This result allows us to calculate a weight range for a given category of problems and be confident that the network has the capability to solve the given problems with integer weights in that range.
Efficient coherent detector VLSI design for continuous phase modulation

This paper presents a continuous phase modulation (CPM) coherent detector design suitable for high throughput, low power VLSI implementations. The key component of CPM coherent detector is the trellis decoder. Compared with the Viterbi algorithm, the sub-optimum T-algorithm significantly reduces computation complexity and provides great potential to realize low power trellis decoding. But it is not suitable for VLSI implementations because it contains search-the-best-metric operation as a throughput bottleneck and suffers from unstructured data manipulation. We propose an algorithm level technique to eliminate the throughput bottleneck in the original T-algorithm, leading to a new SPEC-T algorithm. A VLSI architecture for implementing the SPEC-T algorithm is developed, in which a token bus structure is used to solve the unstructured data manipulation problem.
Necessary and sufficient conditions under which an H/sub 2/-optimal control problem has a unique solution

A set of necessary and sufficient conditions under which a general H/sub 2/-optimal control problem has a unique solution is derived. It is shown that the solution for an H/sub 2/-optimal control problem, if existent, is unique if and only if the transfer function from the control input to the controlled output is left invertible, and the transfer function form the disturbance to the measurement output is right invertible. >
Multicore Programming Challenges

The computer industry is facing fundamental challenges that are driving a major change in the design of computer processors. Due to restrictions imposed by quantum physics, one historical path to higher computer processor performance - by increased clock frequency - has come to an end. Increasing clock frequency now leads to power consumption costs that are too high to justify. As a result, we have seen in recent years that the processor frequencies have peaked and are receding from their high point. At the same time, competitive market conditions are giving business advantage to those companies that can field new streaming applications, handle larger data sets, and update their models to market conditions faster. The desire for newer, faster and larger is driving continued demand for higher computer performance. The industry's response to address these challenges has been to embrace "multicore" technology by designing processors that have multiple processing cores on each silicon chip. Increasing the number of cores per chip has enable processor peak performance to double with each doubling of the number of cores. With performance doubling occurring at approximately constant clock frequency so that energy costs can be controlled, multicore technology is poised to deliver the performance users need for their next generation applications while at the same time reducing total cost of ownership per FLOP. The multicore solution to the clock frequency problem comes at a cost: Performance scaling on multicore is generally sub-linear and frequently decreases beyond some number of cores. For a variety of technical reasons, off-chip bandwidth is not increasing as fast as the number of cores per chip which is making memory and communication bottlenecks the main barrier to improved performance. What these bottlenecks mean to multicore users is that precise and flexible control of data flows will be crucial to achieving high performance. Simple mappings of their existing algorithms to multicore will not result in the naive performance scaling one might expect from increasing the number of cores per chip. Algorithmic changes, in many cases major, will have to be made to get value out of multicore. Multicore users will have to re-think and in many cases re-write their applications if they want to achieve high performance. Multicore forces each programmer to become a parallel programmer; to think of their chips as clusters; and to deal with the issues of communication, synchronization, data transfer and nondeterminism as integral elements of their algorithms. And for those already familiar with parallel programming, multicore processors add a new level of parallelism and additional layers of complexity. This talk will highlight some of the challenges that need to be overcome in order to get better performance scaling on multicore, and will suggest some solutions.
Implementation of a Biomarker into Drug Development: Example of Identifying the Right Imaging “Tool” for an Oncology Study:

The development and validation of biomarkers can often follow well-established principles of scientific investigation, but implementation of biomarkers into drug development requires careful consideration of many other practical issues. During the study planning process, careful consideration must be given to the suitability of the biomarker for the specific needs and objectives of the drug development team, performance of the biomarker at the specific sites, standardization and data transmittal, potential use of the biomarker at other stages in the life cycle of the compound, and a clear understanding of how the results will be used to make decisions about the compound. A close collaboration between the biomarker expert and the drug development team is needed maximize the likelihood that the full value of the biomarker will be realized.
Nutritional regulation of leptin in humans

Although leptin was first discussed as an "adipostat" that regulated food intake in accordance with triglyceride stores, it has become clear that leptin's role is much more complex and that a great many unanswered questions persist. Human studies have not shown that serum leptin concentrations can be changed rapidly by meals. Insulin seems to have a modest but immediate effect in attenuating the morning nadir of serum leptin as well as a greater effect manifested after 4-6 h. These changes in serum leptin, like the decreases that occur with fasting, are not accompanied by corresponding changes in adipose leptin mRNA, suggesting regulation by translational control or changes in the rate of leptin degradation, secretion or clearance. There is convincing evidence that insulin increases leptin synthesis and secretion, probably through an insulin-dependent effect on glucose metabolism. This effect of insulin is possibly mediated by the hexosamine pathway. What adipocytes seem to be communicating to the brain is not how much triglyceride they contain but whether they are currently synthesizing or hydrolysing triglyceride. Confounding many studies is the problem of leptin's diurnal rhythm. Because many studies only measured leptin during its morning nadir or examined the effects of insulin or specific nutrients provided after an overnight fast, important information on regulation may have been lost.
Keratocytes Derived from Spheroid Culture of Corneal Stromal Cells Resemble Tissue Resident Keratocytes

Purpose Corneal stromal cells transform to precursor cells in spheroid culture. We determined whether keratocytes derived from spheroid culture of murine corneal stromal cells resemble tissue resident keratocytes. Methods Spheroid culture was performed by seeding dissociated stromal cells onto ultra-low attachment plates containing serum-free mesenchymal stem cell culture medium. Spheroids were characterized with phenotype specific markers and stemness transcription factor genes. Spheroids and adherent cells in culture were induced to differentiate to keratocytes using keratocyte induction medium (KIM) and compared with tissue resident keratocytes. Results Stromal cells formed spheroids in ultra-low attachment plates, but not in polystyrene tissue culture dishes. Keratocan expression and abundance was significantly higher in spheroids as compared to adherent cells whereas alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was significantly lower. As compared to adherent culture-derived cells, the expressions of keratocan, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH3A1) and α-SMA in spheroid-derived cells approximated much more closely the levels of these genes in tissue resident keratocytes. Of the stemness genes, Nanog and Oct4 were upregulated in the spheroids. Conclusion Stemness transcription factor genes are upregulated in spheroids. Keratocytes derived from spheroids resemble tissue resident keratocytes, thus increasing manifolds the quantity of these cells for in-vitro experiments.
Virtual reality head-tracking observation system for mobile robot

Previously, Hybrid-Routing Algorithm Model was proposed by the Structures, Pointing, and Control Engineering (SPACE) University Research Center 1 at California State University of Los Angeles (CSULA). The Hybrid-Routing Algorithm Model utilizes semi-autonomous control during robotic operations in unknown, remote, hazardous, or otherwise inaccessible terrains. In order to observe and monitor mobile robot's surroundings, an onboard virtual reality system has been designed and implemented. It operates by remotely following the commanded movement of the robotic mission operator's headset. The proposed design features the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) chip secured to the center of the iTV-goggles unit., which is worn by the robotic mission operator. Direction cosine matrix algorithm is used to update the body coordinates of the IMU chip to the global reference system. Euler angles are computed based on the angular orientation of the mission operator's headset and are transmitted to the mobile robot. The observation system contains multiple servo motors that rotate onboard camera based on the received pitch roll, and yaw information. The observation system transmits compressed visual information of robot's surroundings to the Host Computing Station. This video is rendered via iTV-goggles display to the mission operator.
Challenge quizzes: A unique tool for motivation and assessment

We present a blended formative/summative assessment tool – ‘challenge quiz’ – developed to support mastery learning by students without placing undue burden on instructors. The formative nature of the challenge quiz motivates students to modify study behaviors while the summative component encourages students take responsibility for knowledge acquisition. This mastery-based testing approach serves to bring the student's objective of a quality grade in line with the instructor's objective of quality learning. Using a student survey administered to Principles of Microeconomics students at two US institutions, the characteristics and motivations of students are quantified, providing insight into student learning behaviors and outcomes. Empirical analysis indicates that students taking challenge quizzes tend to engage in more study methods and perform better than their initial in-class quiz, despite the increased rigor of the assessment. Changing study behaviors in advance of the challenge quiz had a signific...
Organ Donation: The Gift, the Weight and the Tyranny of Good Acts

There is a legal maxim that bad cases make bad law. Nancy Scheper-Hughes’ article (1) gives us a relentless and eclectic series of what she feels are very bad cases indeed. Not far beneath the surface of her essay is a burning anger at cases of real abuse. There is no doubt that real abuse occurs in organ donation, but small anecdotes at one end of a complex spectrum do not make cause for generalized conclusions. Her premise seems to rest that with each gift, a complex obligation is set in motion, for which we have no quarrel as this is the nature of our often complex human interactions. However, as opposed to acknowledging this complexity of human behavior, we are met with general and sweeping conclusions.
Distributed, Physics-Based Control of Swarms of Vehicles

We introduce a framework, called “physicomimetics,” that provides distributed control of large collections of mobile physical agents in sensor networks. The agents sense and react to virtual forces, which are motivated by natural physics laws. Thus, physicomimetics is founded upon solid scientific principles. Furthermore, this framework provides an effective basis for self-organization, fault-tolerance, and self-repair. Three primary factors distinguish our framework from others that are related: an emphasis on minimality (e.g., cost effectiveness of large numbers of agents implies a need for expendable platforms with few sensors), ease of implementation, and run-time efficiency. Examples are shown of how this framework has been applied to construct various regular geometric lattice configurations (distributed sensing grids), as well as dynamic behavior for perimeter defense and surveillance. Analyses are provided that facilitate system understanding and predictability, including both qualitative and quantitative analyses of potential energy and a system phase transition. Physicomimetics has been implemented both in simulation and on a team of seven mobile robots. Specifics of the robotic embodiment are presented in the paper.
Psychologic and Psychosocial Factors Contributing to Chronic Pain

This article explores psychologic and psychosocial factors contributing to chronic pain including depression, seasonal affective disorder, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and anger.Also included are alexithymia and somatothymia, which are perhaps less easily identified but can have a negative impact on treatment outcome. Psychosocial factors such as family influence and litigation or compensation are also reviewed.
Stability theorem for linear discrete systems

A stability theorem is arrived at and is shown to lead to coefficient conditions that serve as useful inspection tests in the determination of the stability of linear discrete systems. Examples are included to support this statement.
Improved x-ray CCD response at very low x-ray energies

We report laboratory measurements of the response of a back-illuminated, X-ray photon-counting charge-coupled device at X-ray energies between 80 and 500 eV. The detector tested, which is similar to one currently in orbit aboard the Suzaku X-ray Imaging Spectrometer, has been treated with the chemisorption charging process developed by Lesser and colleagues. We report energy scale linearity and spectral resolution measurements in this energy band, which spans the silicon LII,III absorption edge, and demonstrate useful spectral resolution at energies as low as 83 eV with our single-read-per-pixel system. We discuss the factors currently limiting device performance and briefly consider the challenges of exploiting this capability in future astronomical instruments.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Menorrhagia and abnormal bleeding before the menopause.

Abstract Abnormal uterine bleeding before the menopause accounts for 20% of visits to the gynaecology clinic and almost 25% of gynaecological operations. The patient who presents with such bleeding presents two distinct but important challenges for the clinician. The first is the exclusion of cancer or hyperplasia; the second is dealing with the annoyance as well as the fear that the bleeding engenders in the patient. Any attempt at appropriate therapy—whether surgical, hormonal or expectant—begins with an accurate diagnosis. Transvaginal ultrasound with saline infusion sonohysterography for selective patients has emerged as a safe, non-invasive and, inexpensive method of triaging patients with abnormal uterine bleeding in order to determine which patients require no further evaluation, blind endometrial sampling for a global endometrial process or visually directed endometrial sampling when pathology is thought to be focal.
Fluctuating charge force fields for aqueous solutions

Abstract A new molecular dynamics model in which the point charges on atomic sites are allowed to fluctuate in response to the environment has been developed in a previous work (J. Chem. Phys., 101:6151 (1994)). The model and its application to liquid water are briefly reviewed. Various properties of the model are calculated, with emphasis on the bonding characteristics. The water model is also used to investigate the aqueous solvation of formaldehyde.
EFFECTS OF UNIFORMS ON PERCEPTIONS OF PICTURES OF ATHLETES

Four pairs of pictures of female athletes in or out of uniform were rated on a 7-point scale by 271 female high school students and 26 female high school teachers on the dimensions of professionali...
High-Field EPR Study of Carotenoid and Chlorophyll Cation Radicals in Photosystem II

In photosystem II (PS II), chlorophyll, β-carotene, and cytochrome b559 are alternate electron donors that may be involved in a photoprotection mechanism. The present study describes the use of high-field EPR spectroscopy to characterize the low-temperature photooxidation of ChlZ and Car cofactors in PS II. The EPR signals of the individual species, previously not resolved at X-band frequency (9 GHz), are resolved at higher D-band frequency (130 GHz) in deuterated Synechococcus lividus PS II. Deuteration of PS II results in significant narrowing of the EPR lines, yielding well-resolved EPR spectra of the Car+ and ChlZ+ radicals at 130 GHz. The g tensors of the individual species were determined by EPR spectral simulations. The g tensor determined for the Car+ radical (gxx = 2.00335, gyy = 2.00251, gzz = 2.00227) is similar to that previously observed for a canthaxanthin cation radical but with a slightly rhombic tensor. The ChlZ+ g tensor (gxx = 2.00312, gyy = 2.00263, gzz = 2.00202) is similar to that of...
SU‐GG‐T‐81: Issues in Image‐Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) and Re‐Planning with Megavoltage Cone Beam CT (MVCT)

Purpose: In this study, the MVCT dose and its distributions are determined with ion chamber and film measurements in phantom. The effect of the imagingdose for a number of disease sites is investigated. The application of MVCT in re‐planning is also addressed. Method and Materials: A solid water phantom is CT scanned and the arc rotation of MVCT is simulated in the Pinnacle planning system. A 0.6cc ion chamber is used to measure the MVCT dose at the center of the phantom. Dose distributions are determined with Kodak XV films and compared with calculation. To investigate the effect of imagingdose, DVHs for the target and critical organs are compared with and without correcting for the MVCT dose for four diseases sites (lung, H&N, mediastinum and prostate). To assess the potential application of MVCT in re‐planning, dose distributions on the planning CT of a Rando phantom are compared with those calculated on the MVCT image set. Image fusion is also performed between the CT study and its MVCT image set. Results: MVCT dose varies linearly with MU. The imagingdose cannot be completely corrected for in practice. For example in an H&N case, the dose/fraction may be adjusted to account for the MVCT dose. 3–5% additional doses to the left eye and the left parotid are still resulted. In IGRT and re‐planning applications, distributions calculated on both the planning CT and the MVCT agree to within 1%. However, erroneous contours occur on the MVCT image set because of the difference in slice thickness between the two studies. Conclusion: While the imagingdose can be determined easily for MVCT, it cannot be corrected completely in treatment planning. For re‐planning application, the MVCT slice thickness should be the same as the planning CT.Conflict of Interest: Research supported partially by Siemens.
The characterization of calcium iridium oxides

Abstract Several calcium iridium oxides were prepared by solid state reactions and by a hydroxide precipitation technique. These phases were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction data, electrical and magnetic properties. The calcium-rich phase, Ca4IrO6, was an insulator exhibiting Curie-Weiss behavior above 77°K with a Weiss constant of −47°K and a magnetic moment of 1.76 μB. Ca2IrO4 is a semiconductor and the temperature-dependent susceptibility above 77°K was analyzed in terms of one-dimensional linear chains of octahedrally coordinated Ir4+ ions. Two CaIrO3 phases were isolated, but only the orthorhombic perovskite modification was sufficiently pure for magnetic studies. It was Pauli paramagnetic with metallic conductivity.
Femtosecond studies of electron tunneling at metal-dielectric interfaces

Abstract Femtosecond time-resolved two-photon photoemission spectrocopy (TPPE) has been used to measure the lifetimes of image potential electrons at alkane mono- and bilayers on Ag(111). The n = 1 lifetimes for zero, one, and two layers of n-heptane on Ag(111) are 32 ± 10 fs, 155 ± 20 fs, and 1580 ± 200 fs, respectively. This approximately exponential increase in lifetime is consistent with a tunneling picture in which the adlayer forms a barrier that slows the decay of an image potential electron back into the metal. The existence of the tunneling barrier is consistent with the repulsive electron affinity of the longer chain n-alkanes in the condensed phase. The lifetimes of the higher quantum states indicate that the presence of the monolayer significantly reduces coupling of the image states to the bulk band structure, so that further changes in lifetime are determined by the adlayer barrier and an attempt rate related to the classical oscillation time in the modified image potential well. These results are compared with quantitative predictions of a model by Cole which considers the tunneling barrier presented by the layer and the effect of the layer on the attempt rate. These results are considered in the context of previous TPPE studies of metal-insulator interfaces.
Advances in EMI and GPR algorithms in discrimination mode processing for handheld landmine detectors

This paper presents some advancement in the detection algorithms using EMI sensor, GPR sensor and their fusion. In the EMI algorithm, we propose the application of the weighted distributed density (WDD) functions on the wavelet domain and the time domain of the EMI data for feature based detection. A multilayer perceptron technique is then applied to discriminate between mine and clutter objects based on the wavelet domain and time domain features separately. When the results from the two domains are fused together, the probability of false alarms is reduced by a factor of two. The enhancement in the GPR algorithm includes the depth processing which selects a certain data segment below the ground surface for detection, as well as utilizing the phase variation of the signal return across a mine to achieve better detection. Finally, we present fusion results from EMI and GPR sensors to demonstrate that the two sensors provide complementary information and when they are properly fused together the probability of false alarm can be reduced significantly.
Ion transport across the skin of a larval salamander

Abstract The transport characteristics of the skin of neotenic Ambystoma tigrinum were investigated using ion substitution and circuit analysis. When bathed with sodium Ringer solution on both sides, a transepithelial potential of up to 50 mV (inside positive) and a short-circuit current ( I sc ) of up to 10 μA/cm 2 were observed. When amiloride was added or Na + was replaced by tetramethylammonium in the apical solution, I sc was decreased from 3.7 ± 0.4 to 1.5 ± 0.2 μ A/cm 2 ( n = 10). When K + replaced Na + , there was a smaller change in I sc from 5.8 ± 0.6 to 3.7 ± 0.5 μ A/cm 2 ( n = 10). Although barium had no effect when added to 100 K Ringer on normal skin, it inhibited I sc on skins taken from K + -loaded animals. Nystatin caused substantial increases in I sc with either Na + or K + as the dominant cation in the apical solution. Current voltage analysis using amiloride was used to estimate the resistances and electromotive forces (EMF) associated with ion transport. The EMF for ion transport was partially dependent on K + in the basolateral solution and it was similar to that observed in other epithelia. The resistance of the transport pathway was high, consistent with the low I sc . These results suggest that there is an amiloride-sensitive Na + channel in parallel with a small K + conductance in the apical membrane of this preparation.
THE MALL IS MY FACTORY: REFLECTIONS OF A SERVICE JUNKIE

This paper presents a personal perspective on the history, current research, and emerging topics in the field of Service Operations Management. I see research in the field evolving from a focus on classifications and operations research models in the 1970s and 1980s, to a current focus on laboratory studies, and survey- and case-based research. Selected current research is presented under the following headings: Service encounter design, service quality, drivers of service competitiveness, yield management, and the information revolution and the globalization of services. Examples of creativity in service delivery and some whimsical characteristics of service junkies are also presented.
The agenda-setting dilemma in a constructivist staff development process

Abstract This article reports a study that examined the discourse of a staff development process designed to help teachers examine their beliefs and practical reasoning, and introduce them to new premises and practices based on current research. The discourse analysis was designed to shed light on the agenda-setting dilemma faced by educators who attempt to develop constructivist environments while introducing new content. The study suggests that the dilemma, in this case, existed at the beginning of the process but not at the end; and was affected by school context.
EDRF generation and release from perfused bovine pulmonary artery and vein.

Abstract A bioassay cascade superfusion procedure was utilized to study the release and effects of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from isolated bovine pulmonary artery and vein. Three precontracted, endothelium-denuded strips of pulmonary artery or vein mounted in series served as the detector of EDRF. Perfusion of artery with acetylcholine, bradykinin or A23187, in the presence of indomethacin, caused the release of EDRF ( t 1 2 = 3−5 s ) which relaxed superfused strips of both artery and vein. Similarly, perfusion of vein with bradykinin or A23187, but not acetylcholine, caused the release of EDRF ( t 1 2 = 3−5 s ) which relaxed superfused strips of both vein and artery. EDRF-elicited vascular smooth muscle relaxation was associated with cyclic GMP accumulation in the superfused strips. EDRF activity was increased and its duration prolonged by superoxide dismutase or low oxygen tension, whereas oxyhemoglobin and methylene blue were markedly inhibitory. The similar patterns of release, instability, and properties of EDRF from intact artery and vein suggest that arterial and venous EDRF are closely similar.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 52

Abstract Level schemes and decay characteristics are presented for all nuclei with mass number A = 52. Experimental data, adopted values, comparisons with theory, and arguments for spin and parity assignments are given. Inconsistencies and discrepancies in the level schemes are discussed. The adopted level and decay properties are based on data received before January 1970.