cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating the Strength of Jointed Rock Masses

Determination of the strength of jointed rock masses is an important and challenging task in rock mechanics and rock engineering. In this article, the existing empirical methods for estimating the unconfined compressive strength of jointed rock masses are reviewed and evaluated, including the jointing index methods, the joint factor methods, and the methods based on rock mass classification. The review shows that different empirical methods may produce very different estimates. Since in many cases, rock quality designation (RQD) is the only information available for describing rock discontinuities, a new empirical relation is developed for estimating rock mass strength based on RQD. The newly developed empirical relation is applied to estimate the unconfined compressive strength of rock masses at six sites and the results are compared with those from the empirical methods based on rock mass classification. The estimated unconfined compressive strength values from the new empirical relation are essentially in the middle of the estimated values from the different empirical methods based on rock mass classification. Similar to the existing empirical methods, the newly developed relation is only approximate and should be used, with care, only for a first estimate of the unconfined compressive strength of rock masses. Recommendations are provided on how to apply the newly developed relation in combination with the existing empirical methods for estimating rock mass strength in practice.
Resolving Relationship Problems in Communication Disorders Treatment: A Systems Approach

A good working relationship is critical to successful treatment in communication disorders and other helping professions. Professionals need to be able to examine and modify problematic relationshi...
Investigation of the polymorphs of dimethyl-3,6-dichloro-2,5-dihydroxyterephthalate by (13)C solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Two of the three conformational polymorphs of dimethyl-3,6-dichloro-2,5-dihydroxyterephthalate are studied by solid-state NMR techniques. The structural differences between the polymorphs have prev...
Stacked Microstrip-Patch Arrays as Alternative Feeds for Spaceborne Reflector Antennas

The feasibility of using stacked microstrip-patch arrays as feeds for offset reflector antennas is investigated in this paper. It is shown that patch arrays can be used as alternatives to the conventionally used horn feeds, which tend to be bulky. In particular, patch arrays can be of interest for spacecraft applications where reduced size and light-weight feeds are highly desirable. In this paper, patch arrays were tailored to provide radiation characteristics similar to those of horn feeds by varying the element spacing and excitation. A reduction in weight was mainly realized by the planar construction of the patch arrays. A full-wave analysis of the feed array, using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) and PO-based UCLA reflector-analysis codes, was used to test the results of the proposed feed, operating at 1.413 GHz for radiometer applications, and 1.26 GHz for radar applications. A dual-polarized and dual-frequency stacked microstrip-patch element was fabricated and tested. It was then demonstrated that a seven-element hexagonal array design seemed to be the best match to the horn feeds for a 12 m offset-reflector antenna.
Cold Spark Discharge Plasma Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in an Animal Model of Ulcerative Colitis

Cold plasma discharges have been shown to have medically-relevant thera- peutic effects when applied to living tissues, including blood coagulation and wound healing; thus, plasma treatment of infl amed tissues in ulcerative colitis disease may be an effective ap- proach to reduce adverse consequences if not cure the disease. Here we discuss results of the fi rst experimental study of cold plasma treatment of ulcerative colitis in a mouse model. As a plasma source, a cold spark discharge has been used. The results show that plasma treatment of experimental model of ulcerative colitis in mice has some benefi cial effects by suppressing the progression of the disease while no damage to colon tissues is observed; and these effects are comparable to standard therapy.
Mammographic screening of women with increased risk of breast cancer

Five hundred one women from Dallas County, Texas who participated in the American Cancer Society 1987 Texas Breast Screening Project were selected because of a self-reported family history of breast cancer (cases). They were matched with 501 randomly selected women from the same county with no family history (controls). Although there was a statistically significant trend with age for an increasing proportion of women to report having undergone mammography, there was no significant difference when comparing mammographic histories of cases with controls after controlling for age (31.5% versus 35.1%, P = 0.33). Significantly more cases (79%) perceived their risk for breast cancer to be moderate or greater compared with controls (54%, P less than 0.0001), but mammographic histories were not different when controlling for perceived risk. Both cases and controls cited lack of physician referral and cost as their reasons for not having undergone mammography. Women at increased risk for breast cancer (because of their family history) are not undergoing regular mammographic screening despite their self-awareness of the increase in their risk.
Role of computed tomography and perfusion imaging in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.

We reviewed some of the potentially useful applications of CCT, as well as some of its pitfalls. Whereas physiologic imaging with MPI and stress echocardiography has surely contributed to the ongoing decrease in the age-adjusted CAD mortality rate, a new anatomic test, CCT, provides further opportunity to decrease the CAD mortality rate.
Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania in a young child: possible relation to ipsilateral occipital infarction.

We report a child with chronic paroxysmal hemicrania beginning at 3 years of age with more than 2 years of daily episodes. Indomethacin produced total relief. An ipsilateral, occipital hemorrhagic ...
Biological evaluation of crambe meals detoxified by water extraction on a continuous filter

Crambe meals prepared by water extraction on a continuous filter when fed to rats gave protein efficiency ratios that were equal to or higher than the casein control, indicating that the water washing produced a palatable, nutritious meal. In a 4-week chick-feeding study, crambe was fed at 20% of the total diet. The diets containing crambe had somewhat lower gains (83-87% of control) and feed efficiency (94-95%) compared to the basal control group. Livers and kidneys appeared normal for all groups. There was some very slight gizzard erosion in the crambefed group. In a 90-day rat-feeding study, water-washed crambe was fed at 30% of the total diet, and body and organ weights were determined. Growth was slightly less than with the 30% soy control. There were no significant differences among relative organ weights for all groups. Results of feeding studies in rats and chicks indicate that the process of water extraction on a continuous filter can successfully prepare crambe meals with greatly reduced toxicity.
A Comparison of Case Definitions of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

We compared three case definitions of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) applied to patients followed in CFS clinics at two institutions. All patients had debilitating fatigue without apparent etiology; patients with medical conditions associated with chronic fatigue and with major psychiatric disorders were stratified and presented separately. Patients were classified according to whether they met case definitions developed by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Working Group, a British group, or an Australian group. When findings for 805 patients followed at the two clinics were combined, 61% met the CDC criteria, 55% met the British criteria, and 56% met the Australian criteria; these proportions were relatively similar at both sites
Field studies of atmospheric particulate concentration changes during precipitation

The effect of rain on changes in the atmospheric particulate concentration was evaluated, and these measurements were compared with theoretical calculations of particle washout coefficients. Cumulative particle number distributions in two size subranges, around 0.01 and 1 μm, were measured at two different times during three separate precipitation events to establish apparent washout coefficients. Raindrop size distributions and precipitation intensity measurements were also obtained to estimate the theoretical washout coefficients. The experimental washout coefficients were between 2 × 10−5s−1and 1 × 10−4s−1, depending on the raindrop size distribution and precipitation intensity. These values were one to two orders of magnitude greater than theoretical estimates that considered the known single droplet collection mechanisms of inertial impaction, interception, Brownian diffusion, thermophoresis, diffusiophoresis, and electrostatic charge effects. Based on these results, it appears that these mechanisms cannot adequately explain the observed decreases in particle number density during a precipitation event.
Opioid analgesia and assessment of the sonographic Murphy sign

Administration of intravenous opioid analgesia to patients with undifferentiated abdominal pain remains a controversial topic in many emergency departments. To determine whether opioid analgesia impacts assessment of the sonographic Murphy sign (SM) in evaluating acute gallbladder disease (GBD), a retrospective chart review was undertaken. The chart review encompassed 119 patients, 21% of whom, having received opioid analgesia before ultrasound, constituted the opioid group. Between the opioid and control (i.e., no opioid analgesia) groups, there were no significant differences in SM sensitivity (48.2%; CI 28.7-68.1% vs. 68.8%; CI 41.3-89%, respectively) or specificity (92.5%; CI 83.4-97.5% vs. 88.9%; CI 51.8-99.7%, respectively) for GBD. There was no association between opioid analgesia and false-positive SM (OR 0.74, CI 0.08-6.65), or false-negative SM (OR 1.42, CI 0.46-4.43). We conclude that the test characteristics of SM are unaffected by opioid analgesia.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitalized children: correlation of molecular analysis with clinical presentation and antibiotic susceptibility testing (ABST) results

The molecular analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from 98 children admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, with serious MRSA infections during 2006–2007 was correlated with risk factors, clinical features, and antibiotic susceptibility testing (ABST) results. Isolates were characterized by staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec type, the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes, repetitive sequence (rep) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), requirement for surgical intervention, antibiograms, and response to therapy. rep-PCR was more rapid than PFGE typing and correlated well. SCCmec type IV-containing isolates caused 92.8% of all infections, but the demographics and diseases associated with subtypes IVa and IVd differed. Subtype IVa (all PFGE type USA300 and PVL-positive) was identified in 81/93 (87.1%) of patients with community-onset (CO) MRSA, including 21/35 of those with risk factors for health care-associated (HA) infection. All other clones were PVL-negative. Subtype IVd (10 isolates; 9 USA800 and 1 eMRSA15) caused mainly HA-MRSA and no skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Seven classic HA-MRSA strains (SCCmec types II [6; 3 USA100 and 3 USA600] and III [1; USA200]) caused HA and hospital-onset (HO) infections. Surgical intervention was required in 68/81 patients infected with USA300 and 8/17 of the others. Most USA300 were susceptible (S) to clindamycin (CD) and patients were treated with CD alone or in combination. The other isolates were generally treated with vancomycin (VA) alone or in combination.
Behaviors in type II diabetes during contingency contracting.

The purpose of this study was to use existing data to describe the behaviors performed by 117 subjects with Type II diabetes who wrote contingency contracts with nurses. Data were analyzed from a larger, randomized clinical trial of contingency contracting to improve clinical outcomes. Subjects had a high rate of completion of behaviors in contingency contracts ( M = 90.9%). Subjects performed a median of six behaviors overall and up to a median of three behaviors of each of the diabetic regimen behaviors. The majority performed diet ( n = 68, 58.1%) and exercise ( n = 69, 58.9%) behaviors, with only one third performing both behaviors ( n = 40, 34.2%). The most frequent behavioral strategies used were breaking the behavior into steps and self-monitoring the behavior. The contingency contracting intervention should be modified to be more comprehensive with increased recognition of the time and effort required for concurrently changing diet and exercise.
Particle filtering for high-dimensional systems

Particle filtering methods aim at tracking probability distributions sequentially in time. One of the main challenges of these methods is their accuracy in high-dimensional state spaces. Namely, it can be shown that if the dimensions of these spaces are sufficiently high, the obtained results by particle filtering are practically useless. In this paper, we propose an approach for addressing this problem. It is based on breaking the high-dimensional distribution of the complete state into smaller dimensional (marginalized) distributions and attempting to track these distributions in a novel way as accurately as possible. We demonstrate the proposed approach with computer simulations.
OPTIMAL PLATE SHAPE AND ENTRANCE PRICE OF ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT RESTAURANTS

In determining the optimal price to charge and in managing costs, operators of restaurants with all-you-can-eat buffets face many issues unique to this form of restaurant service. The current study investigates how to determine the optimal entrance price to charge. In addition, it analyzes one key aspect of operating costs: a way to minimize breakage by determining the optimal plate size hence shape that will minimize the amount of handling required. For each of these, several assumptions are given followed by the development of mathematical models. The result is that a plate with maximum loading area is optimal. In practice, a circular plate provides the maximum loading area hence is recommended. In addition, a formula is given for determining the optimal price. This is followed by a discussion of the managerial implications of the findings.
Physiological concentrations of purines and pyrimidines.

The concentrations of bases, nucleosides, and nucleosides mono-, di- and tri-phosphate are compared for about 600 published values. The data are predominantly from mammalian cells and fluids. For the most important ribonucleotides average concentrations ±SD (μM) are: ATP, 3,152±1,698; GTP, 468±224; UTP, 567±460 and CTP, 278±242. For deoxynucleosidestriphosphate (dNTP), the concentrations in dividing cells are: dATP, 24±22; dGTP, 5.2±4.5; dCTP, 29±19 and dTTP 37±30. By comparison, dUTP is usually about 0.2 μM. For, the 4 dNTPs, tumor cells have concentrations of 6–11 fold over normal cells, and for the 4 NTPs, tumor cells also have concentrations 1.2–5 fold over the normal cells. By comparison, the concentrations of NTPs are significantly lower in various types of blood cells. The average concentration of bases and nucleosides in plasma and other extracellular fluids is generally in the range of 0.4–6 μM; these values are usually lower than corresponding intracellular concentrations. For phosphate compounds, average cellular concentrations are: Pi, 4400; ribose-1-P, 55; ribose-5-P, 70 and P-ribose-PP, 9.0. The metal ion magnesium, important for coordinating phosphates in nucleotides, has values (mM) of: free Mg2+, 1.1; complexed-Mg, 8.0. Consideration of experiments on the intracellular compartmentation of nucleotides shows support for this process between the cytoplasm and mitochondria, but not between the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
Knowledge-intensive collaborative decision support for design processes: A hybrid decision support model and agent

This paper proposes a hybrid decision support model within a multi-agent framework to facilitate integration and collaboration for design decisions. The hybrid decision model integrates the compromise decision support problem technique (cDSP) and the fuzzy synthetic decision model (FSD) to quantitatively incorporate qualitative design knowledge and preferences of designers for multiple, conflicting attributes stored in a knowledge repository so that a better understanding of the consequences of design decisions can be achieved from a more comprehensive perspective. The focus of this work is on the provision of a hybrid decision model and framework for improved cooperative design decision support. The novelty of the work is in combination of different models or methods, algorithms for making collaborative design decisions in both objective and subjective natures, in particular the fuzzy negotiation mechanism using the hybrid decision model. The developed hybrid decision model and framework are generic and flexible enough to be used in a variety of decision problems. Finally, the proposed hybrid decision model and framework are illustrated with applications in collaborative concept evaluation and selection in product family design for mass customization.
Antimonide interband and intersubband mid-IR and terahertz lasers

Abstract Antimonide semiconductor lasers for the mid-infrared and terahertz spectral regions are considered. It is predicted that optically pumped interband type-II lasers will be advantageous at long wavelengths, out to λ≈100 μm . In the mid-IR, antimonide intersubband lasers should have higher gains and longer carrier lifetimes than InGaAs/InAlAs quantum cascade lasers, and hence have prospects for room-temperature cw operation. Spin-polarized antimonide intersubband lasers with applied magnetic fields are projected to display room-temperature cw emission at λ=16 μm .
Portland General Electric (PGE): Clean Power Generation Wind Project in Biglow Canyon & Boardman Coal Plant

This article consists of presentation slides on the following subject. This study looks at technology assessment regarding clean power generation for a Northwest utility company. Two types of technology assessments are considered: , one is for a renewable energy source (wind) and the other is for a traditional, fossil-fuel based energy source (coal). Both possess unique, non-overlapping criteria and issues that are considered in the technology selection. Both are part of the company's energy portfolio. AHP is used to assess the feasibility of both the wind energy and clean burning coal energy technologies. AHP is a decision-making tool in which criteria is ranked and weighted so that a best choice or choices are determined based upon what is deemed to be most important to the decision makers. From this method we determined what method to choose regarding cleaning SO2 emissions for the Boardman plant, and which wind turbine to select for the Biglow Canyon wind farm. Criteria were chosen that represented each technology's location, cost, feasibility, and availability. For the wind energy, cost was determined to be the most important criterion when making a technology decision. For the SO2 emissions technology, the regenerative process was determined to be the best technology to scrub SO2 emissions from the air. The AHP process can be adjusted to use any criteria and is a useful tool when used alone or with other technology assessment tools. AHP was the only decision-making tool used in this paper's technology assessment.
Environmental aerosol chamber studies of extinction spectra of mineral dust aerosol components: Broadband IR-UV extinction spectra

[1] Mineral dust aerosol plays an important role in the Earth's radiative budget on both regional and global scales. To better understand the impact of this component of the Earth's atmosphere, the extinction spectra for several key components of mineral dust aerosol have been measured in an environmental aerosol reaction chamber. The extinction spectra are measured over a broad wavelength range, which includes both IR (650 to 5000 cm−1) and UV-Vis (12,500 to 40,000 cm−1) spectral regions. Experimental data are compared with Mie theory simulations derived from available literature optical constants. In a few cases, we have needed to modify the published optical constant data sets to ensure Kramers-Kronig consistency. In general, the Mie-based simulations are in excellent agreement with experimental data over the full IR-UV spectral range, except in the immediate neighborhood of the IR resonance absorption lines where particle shape effects on the resonance line profiles can be significant.
Pig and guinea pig skin as surrogates for human in vitro penetration studies: A quantitative review

Both human and animal skin in vitro models are used to predict percutaneous penetration in humans. The objective of this review is a quantitative comparison of permeability and lag time measurements between human and animal skin, including an evaluation of the intra and inter species variability. We limit our focus to domestic pig and rodent guinea pig skin as surrogates for human skin, and consider only studies in which both animal and human penetration of a given chemical were measured jointly in the same lab. When the in vitro permeability of pig and human skin were compared, the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (r) was 0.88 (P<0.0001), with an intra species average coefficient of variation of skin permeability of 21% for pig and 35% for human, and an inter species average coefficient of variation of 37% for the set of studied compounds (n=41). The lag times of pig skin and human skin did not correlate (r=0.35, P=0.26). When the in vitro permeability of guinea pig and human skin were compared, r=0.96 (P<0.0001), with an average intra species coefficient of variation of 19% for guinea pig and 24% for human, and an inter species coefficient of variation of permeability of 41% for the set of studied compounds (n=15). Lag times of guinea pig and human skin correlated (r=0.90, P<0.0001, n=12). When permeability data was not reported a factor of difference (FOD) of animal to human skin was calculated for pig skin (n=50) and guinea pig skin (n=25). For pig skin, 80% of measurements fell within the range 0.3<FOD<3. For guinea pig skin, 65% fell within that range. Both pig and guinea pig are good models for human skin permeability and have less variability than the human skin model. The skin model of choice will depend on the final purpose of the study and the compound under investigation.
Acute Pain Medicine: Organizing an Acute Pain Medicine Service

N " UMEROUS STUDIES illustrate that the majority of postsurgical patients recall moderate to severe pain during their hospital stay.l-4 In 1973, Marks and Sachar 2 reported a landmark investigation showing that 73% of patients receiving opioid analgesia suffered from moderate to severe distress for a multitude of reasons, including lack of sophistication regarding analgesic usage and exaggerated apprehension of the dangers of addiction. In response, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research developed and published the Acute Pain Management: Operative or Medical Procedures and Trauma guidelines in 1992. 5 These guidelines were developed (1) to reduce the incidence and severity of acute postoperative and posttraumatic pain, (2) to educate patients about the need to communicate unrelieved pain so they can receive prompt evaluation and effective treatments, (3) to enhance patient comfort and satisfaction, and (4) to contribute to fewer postoperative complications and, in some cases, shorter hospital stays after surgical procedures. Despite these and other guidelines, acute pain continues to be a significant clinical problem. Anesthesia-based acute pain services (APSs) have evolved in response to this prevalent problem. First described by Ready et al 6 in 1988, an APS can improve postoperative analgesia in a safe and effective manner. This report will focus on the organization and benefits of a modem APS.
Effective hand degerming in the presence of blood.

This study evaluated the effect of blood on the antimicrobial activity of several agents used for handwashing. Seventy-one healthy adult volunteers used 1 of 6 products (70% isopropyl alcohol [IPA]; liquid hand rinse containing 70% ethyl alcohol and 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate [EA]; detergent containing 7.5% povidone-iodine [PI]; detergent containing 4% chlorhexidine gluconate [CHG]; a nonantimicrobial soap; and a control group that used no product) in two tests: with and without 1.2 mL of dried sterile sheeps' blood on the hands. In the presence of blood, the two alcohol products (IPA and EA) resulted in significantly greater reductions in numbers of colony-forming units than other products (P < 0.001). When no blood was present, IPA was associated with significantly greater reductions, whereas soap and control groups had significantly lower reductions (P = 0.008). We conclude that hands are effectively degermed with a variety of products in the presence of blood, and that alcohols give greater initial reductions in colonizing flora. This is of particular relevance in emergency situations during which contamination with blood is likely and handwashing facilities are inaccessible.
Optimizing parameters for clinical-scale production of high IL-12 secreting dendritic cells pulsed with oxidized whole tumor cell lysate

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen-presenting cell population for activating tumor-specific T cells. Due to the wide range of methods for generating DCs, there is no common protocol or defined set of criteria to validate the immunogenicity and function of DC vaccines. Monocyte-derived DCs were generated during 4 days of culture with recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and interleukin-4, and pulsed with tumor lysate produced by hypochlorous acid oxidation of tumor cells. Different culture parameters for clinical-scale DC preparation were investigated, including: 1) culture media; 2) culture surface; 3) duration of activating DCs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-gamma; 4) method of DC harvest; and 5) cryomedia and final DC product formulation. DCs cultured in CellGenix DC media containing 2% human AB serum expressed higher levels of maturation markers following lysate-loading and maturation compared to culturing with serum-free CellGenix DC media or AIM-V media, or 2% AB serum supplemented AIM-V media. Nunclon™Δ surface, but not Corning® tissue-culture treated surface and Corning® ultra-low attachment surface, were suitable for generating an optimal DC phenotype. Recombinant trypsin resulted in reduced major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I and II expression on mature lysate-loaded DCs, however presentation of MHC Class I peptides by DCs was not impaired and cell viability was higher compared to cell scraping. Preservation of DCs with an infusible cryomedia containing Plasma-Lyte A, dextrose, sodium chloride injection, human serum albumin, and DMSO yielded higher cell viability compared to using human AB serum containing 10% DMSO. Finally, activating DCs for 16 hours with LPS and IFN-γ stimulated robust mixed leukocyte reactions (MLRs), and high IL-12p70 production in vitro that continued for 24 hours after the cryopreserved DCs were thawed and replated in fresh media. This study examined criteria including DC phenotype, viability, IL-12p70 production and the ability to stimulate MLR as metrics of whole oxidized tumor lysate-pulsed DC immunogenicity and functionality. Development and optimization of this unique method is now being tested in a clinical trial of autologous oxidized tumor lysate-pulsed DC in clinical-scale in recurrent ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer (NCT01132014).
A method for developing biomechanical profiles of hand-intensive tasks.

Abstract Objective . To develop a methodology for generic, comprehensive biomechanical profiling of hand-intensive tasks. Design . Based on a multifactorial model of work-related musculoskeletal disorder development, a method was developed for continuous, simultaneous measurement of relevant variables (wrist and finger joint position, force, muscle activity, and carpal tunnel pressure). Joint dynamics and tendon travel were derived. Background . Few generic dose-response relationships have been identified for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This may improve if methodologies are developed that quantify multiple factors along several dimensions (means, cumulative exposure, etc.). This requires continuous, simultaneous measurements, and facilitates examination of interactions. Methods . Five touch-typists were instrumented to quantify their biomechanical profiles using the methodology, and to evaluate the sensitivity of the method to various work organization/design conditions. Results . The method captured individual and group responses to design conditions and revealed interactions and trade-offs between response variables. Carpal tunnel pressure was found to be sensitive to radial-ulnar wrist posture. Conclusions . Multi-variable biomechanical profiling can provide insight into effects of work design on workers; however, to achieve statistical significance large numbers of subjects are needed.
Compulsory Arbitration in Nonunion Employee Relations: A Strategic Ethical Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the most recent public policy and ethical issues as they relate to the growing usage of nonunion employment arbitration particularly in relation to financial services firms and professional firms. In this era of increasing employment-related litigation, it is wise from an employer’s point of view to find alternative procedures that offer assurances of fairness yet provide expeditious means for resolving disputes. From an employee’s vantage point, however, it is essential that the fundamental issue of procedural and substantive due process be maintained and guaranteed. Therefore, a number of strategic ethical issues arise: How should employment arbitration procedures be designed following the Due Process Protocol of the Task Force on Alternative Dispute Resolution in Employment? How should arbitration procedures follow the national rules for the resolution of employment disputes of the American Arbitration Association? Do recent court decisions shed light on these issues? What ethical principles can be gleaned from these public policy pronouncements? A final objective of this paper is to study some of the current initiatives on this topic.
Integrating the NAS Milestones and handheld technology to improve residency training and assessment

Abstract Objective To incorporate the use of an intuitive and robust assessment tool in conjunction with the Next Accreditation System Milestones to maximize opportunities for trainee performance feedback and continuous trainee assessment, with the long-term goal of increasing the rate of performance improvement and mastery of knowledge and surgical skills. Design Pilot study. Setting Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Primary, tertiary, and quaternary clinical care; institutional environment. Participants Experimental group: two randomly selected postgraduate year-1 integrated training program residents per year for 2 consecutive years from the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Control group: traditionally trained residents from the integrated training program in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Study duration: 7 years (until residents complete residency training). Anticipated Results This assessment strategy would create large amounts of informative data on trainees, which can be cross-referenced to determine trainee progress. Assessment data would be collected continuously from all faculty surgeons. Comparisons of faculty and resident self-assessments would facilitate resident evaluations. Ease of use of the data collection structure would improve faculty evaluation compliance and timely resident case report completion. Conclusions Improving the efficiency and efficacy of competency documentation is critical. Using portable technologies is an intuitive way to improve the trainee assessment process. We anticipate that this 2-pronged approach to trainee assessments would quickly provide large amounts of informative data to better assess trainee progress and inform Milestone assessments in a manner that facilitates immediate feedback. Assessments of faculty and resident satisfaction would help us further refine the assessment process as needed. If successful, this format could easily be implemented by other training programs. Applicable Project Area Innovations in Surgical Education: Milestones
Lise Meitner and Fission: Fallout from the Discovery

Much has been written about Lise Meitner, but she remains on the periphery. Of her pioneering work in nuclear physics, little is said; she is remembered primarily for nuclear fission, a discovery in which she did not share. Especially in Germany the staging seldom varies: Otto Hahn in the spotlight, Fritz Strasmann in his shadow, Lise Meitner in the wings, dimly outlined in reflected light. Her role is open to speculation. One writer sees her work “crowned by the Nobel Prize for Otto Hahn”; [1] another, once director of an institute that bears her name, portrays her as the physicist who obstructed the discovery from the start.[2] Often she is cast as Hahn's Mitarbeiterin;[3] sometimes she is completely invisible, as in one of the world's great science museums, which for 30 years displayed[4] the fission apparatus–equipment assembled by Lise Meitner on a table in her laboratory in her physics section of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut fur Chemie—without ever mentioning her name.[**] The principals themselves do not agree. In his memoirs, Hahn has remarkably little to say of his closest colleague and friend. Only over a glass of wine, we are told, “konnte ihm die Ausserung entschlupfen: ‘Ich weiss nicht; ich furchte, Lischen hatte mir die Uranspaltung verboten.”’[5] (“he might let slip: ‘I don't know; I'm afraid Lischen would have forbidden me to discover fission.”’) Strasmann insists: “Lise Meitner war die geistig Fuhrende in unserem Team gewesen”![6] (“Lise Meitner was the intellectual leader of our team”!) From Lise Meitner herself we have no autobiography. Available, however, is the large collection of letters and documents she has left behind, and these make it possible for us to learn much more.
Joining Forces with AltaMira Press

The Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology and the Midwest Archaeological Conference, Inc. are pleased to announce a new relationship with AltaMira Press. Since 1976, MCJA has served as the preeminent peer-reviewed journal covering the archaeology of the North American midcontinent. Originally published by Kent State University Press and later by the University of Iowa's Office of the State Archaeologist, in 2003 MCJA became the official journal of the newly-incorporated Midwest Archaeological Conference (MAC, Inc.). Responsibility for publication and distribution of the journal passed from the University of Iowa to MAC, Inc., at that time. MCJA's transfer from Iowa to MAC, Inc., required that MAC, Inc., obtain new printing, distribution, and marketing services. After reviewing several bids, the MAC, Inc., Executive Committee accepted a proposal from AltaMira Press. As announced at the 2003 Midwest Conference annual business meeting in Milwaukee, AltaMira Press's proposal included not only the standard journal production and mailing services but also extensive promotional efforts. Expanded promotion and marketing will serve MAC, Inc., and MCJA well, and should attract additional members and subscribers. The contract between MAC, Inc. and AltaMira Press includes the following key points:
Effects of Exercise Involving Predominantly Either Joint‐Reaction or Ground‐Reaction Forces on Bone Mineral Density in Older Women

This study compared the effects of two exercise training programs, 11 months in duration, on bone mineral density (BMD) in older, sedentary women. Thirty-nine women, aged 60-74 years, were assigned to the following groups: (a) a group that performed exercises that introduced stress to the skeleton through ground-reaction forces (GRF) (i.e., walking, jogging, stairs); (b) a group that performed exercises that introduced stress to the skeleton through joint-reaction forces (JRF) (i.e., weight lifting, rowing); or (c) a no-exercise control group. BMD of the whole body, lumbar spine, proximal femur, and distal forearm was assessed five times at approximately 3-month intervals. The GRF and JRF exercise programs resulted in significant and similar increases in BMD of the whole body (2.0 +/- 0.8% and 1.6 +/- 0.4%, respectively), lumbar spine (1.8 +/- 0.7% and 1.5 +/- 0.5%, respectively), and Ward's triangle region of the proximal femur (6.1 +/- 1.5% and 5.1 +/- 2.1%, respectively). There was a significant in BMD of the femoral neck only in response to the GRF exercise program (GRF, 3.5 +/- 0.8%; JRF, -0.2 +/- 0.7%). There were no significant changes in BMD in control subjects. Among all exercisers, there was a significant inverse (r = -0.52, p < 0.01) relationship between increases in whole body BMD and reductions in fat mass, suggesting a dose response effect of exercise on bone mass. Although femoral neck BMD was responsive only to the GRF exercise program, some adaptations (i.e., increase in lean body mass and strength) that were specific to the JRF exercise program may be important in preventing osteoporotic fractures by reducing the risk for falls. It remains to be determined whether all of these benefits can be gained through a training program that combines the different types of exercises employed in this study.
Assessment of the Presence of Cytomegalovirus-Neutralizing Antibody by a Plaque-Reduction Assay

Evaluation of the in vitro neutralizing activity of 30 immunoglobulin G (IgG) preparations and seven batches of pooled plasma against human cytomegalovirus (CMV) was performed by plaque-reduction assays. There were definite differences detected by these methods that could permit the selection of preparations with highest titers for clinical trials. The addition of guinea pig complement to the plaque-reduction assay enhanced inhibition of CMV; thus, guinea pig complement should be used in assays of IgG preparations. There was no relationship between the ELISA-derived optical density values of the IgG samples and the titers determined by plaque neutralization. These data suggest that the results of plaque-reduction neutralization assays provide important information about preparations of antibody that may be selected for patient administration. The preparations selected for their high titers by neutralization assays differ significantly from those identified by another method.
Importance of Potential Interhelical Salt-bridges Involving Interior Residues for Coiled-coil Stability and Quaternary Structure

Abstract Coiled coils are formed by two or more α-helices that align in a parallel or an antiparallel relative orientation. Polar interactions involving residues at the interior a and d positions are important for determining the quaternary structure of coiled coils. In the model heterodimeric coiled-coil Acid-a1-Base-a1, a buried a – d ′ Asn–Asn interaction is sufficient to specify both a dimeric structure and an antiparallel relative helix orientation. Although the equivalent a – a ′ interaction is found in parallel coiled coils, there is no example of an a – d ′ Asn–Asn interaction in structurally characterized, naturally occurring antiparallel coiled coils. Instead, interior charged residues form interhelical salt-bridges with residues at the adjacent e or g positions. Using a model coiled-coil heterodimer, we have explored the role of a potential interhelical interaction between an Arg at an interior d position and a Glu at the adjacent g ′ position. Our results demonstrate that this potentially attractive interhelical Coulombic interaction has little or no influence on helix orientation. Instead, we show that burying a single Arg residue at an interior position is sufficient to specify a dimeric state at a significantly lower thermodynamic cost than burial of two interacting Asn residues.
The role of language and the language of role in institutional decision making

The relationship between linguistic processes, cognitive activities, and social structures is explored by examining the decision making of committees of educators as they decide to place students into special education programs or retain them in regular classrooms. Often, different committee members enter committee meetings with different views of the student's case and its disposition, e.g., classroom teachers and parents provide accounts of the student's performance that compete with the view of the psychologist or district representative. Yet by the meeting's end, the version of the student's case provided by the psychologist or the district representative prevails.
Children's Category-Based Inferences Affect Classification.

Children learn many new categories and make inferences about these categories. Much work has examined how children make inferences on the basis of category knowledge. However, inferences may also affect what is learned about a category. Four experiments examine whether category-based inferences during category learning influence category knowledge and thereby affect later classifications for 5- to 7-year-olds. The children learned to classify pictures of new types of creatures on the basis of a salient feature (colour) and then answered a question that required them to make an inference on the basis of other features. At test, children classified pictures that included only some features (without colour). Experiment 1 showed that the features relevant to the inference during learning led to better classification than did features irrelevant to the inference. Experiment 2 replicated this finding even when the relevant features were physically close to the irrelevant features. Experiments 3 and 4 found this effect even when the classification was learned prior to the inference task and even when no mention was made of the categories during inference learning. Taken together, these results show that making inferences during category learning can influence category knowledge and suggest a need to integrate the work on category learning and category-based inferences.
Preoperative uterine bleeding pattern and risk of endometrial ablation failure.

Objective The objectives of the study were to compare among women who had an endometrial ablation the risks of treatment failure and subsequent gynecological procedures between women with regular and irregular heavy uterine bleeding and to determine other characteristics associated with the risk of treatment failure. Study Design This study was a retrospective cohort of 968 women who underwent endometrial ablation between January 2007 and July 2009. Preoperative bleeding pattern was categorized as regular or irregular. Treatment failure was defined as reablation or hysterectomy. Subsequent gynecological procedures included endometrial biopsy, dilation and curettage, hysteroscopy, reablation, or hysterectomy. We calculated the odds of treatment failure and gynecological procedures using multiple logistic regression. Results Bleeding pattern prior to ablation was heavy and regular in 30% (n = 293), heavy and irregular in 36% (n = 352), and unspecified in 30% (n = 286). We found no differences in treatment failure (13% vs 12%, P = .9) or subsequent procedures (16% vs 18%, P = .7) between women with regular and irregular bleeding. Compared with the women with regular bleeding, the women with irregular bleeding were not at increased odds of treatment failure or subsequent procedures (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65–1.74 and OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.76–1.80, respectively). Factors associated with an increased odds of treatment failure and subsequent procedures included tubal ligation (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.30–2.91 and OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.20–2.43, respectively); dysmenorrhea (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.44–4.06 and OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.20–3.13, respectively); and obesity (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.21–2.73 and OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.22–2.50, respectively). Conclusion Preoperative bleeding pattern did not appear to affect failure rates or the need for gynecological procedures after endometrial ablation. Other risk factors for ablation failure identified included preoperative dysmenorrhea, prior tubal ligation, and obesity.
Sinamia kukurihime, a New Early Cretaceous Amiiform Fish from Ishikawa, Japan

Abstract. A new species of the genus Sinamia of the family Sinamiidae of the order Amiiformes, S. kukurihime is described on the basis of a hyomandibula and many isolated bones and scales found from the Lower Cretaceous freshwater deposits of the Kuwajima Formation, Itoshiro Subgroup, Tetori Group in Kuwajima, Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. The new species is distinguished from other congeners by the forms of the hyomandibular, frontal, dermopterotic, maxilla, gular plate, preopercle, supracleithrum and scales. Among the genus Sinamia, S. kukurihime sp. nov. is considered to be closest to S. liaoningensis. This is the first record of the genus Sinamia from Japan. The presence of a new species of the genus from Japan demonstrates the wide distribution and diversity of the genus during the Cretaceous in East Asia.
Diffuse dural enhancement in cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula

We decribe unusually extensive contrast enhancement of the dura mater on MRI in a case of dural arteriovenous fistula of the cavernous sinus.
On the Exchange Rate as a Nominal Anchor: The Rise and Fall of the Credibility Hypothesis

The credibility hypothesis, which was used to support the use of a pegged exchange rate arrangement as a nominal anchor mechanism, is based on restrictive analytical foundations that circumscribe its real world applicability. While all pegged exchange rate arrangements are subject to circumstances that can undermine the sustainability of the peg, exchange rate nominal anchor pegs are especially fragile because such arrangements introduce problems that are endogenous to that particular type of regime. The East Asian crisis is used to demonstrate the fragility of exchange rate nominal anchor pegs, while the case of Australia demonstrates how a floating currency escaped the contagion of the East Asian crisis.