cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Boundary Element Methods

Boundary element methods are recent developments in computational mathematics for solving boundary value problems in various branches of science and technology. These methods evolved from integral equation methods which are known as boundary integral equation methods (BIEM’s). There are two types of BIEM’s which, though seemingly alike, had totally different approaches of formulation. One of them is the so called ‘indirect’ method, which relies on the physical aspect of the problem and involves the transformation of the boundary surface (or curve) by a surface (or curve) of sources/sinks of adjustable strengths. The other, known as the ‘direct’ method, is based on finding the Green’s function solutions of partial differential equations. The methodology uses the fact that if the Green’s function of a given equation, together with the prescribed boundary conditions on a geometrically well-defined boundary, is known, then the solution of such a boundary value problem is also known in the form of an integral equation and can be numerically computed. Once it was found that the use of the Green’s function in the free space, i.e., the fundamental solution, would reduce the dimension of the problem by unity in the homogeneous case, whereby the volume integrals reduce to surface integrals, the surface integrals to line integrals, and the governing differential equations to integral equations,these methods thereafter became very popular during the period from about 1960 through 1975. The work of Jawson (1963), Symm (1963), and Cruse and Rizzo (1968) are the forerunners of what was to be known as the boundary element method (BEM). This method is based on integral equation formulation of boundary value problems, requires discretization of only the boundary (surface or curve) and not the interior of the region under consideration, and is suitable for problems with complicated boundaries, unbounded regions, and free surfaces.
Going beyond Cardiomegaly: Evaluation of Cardiac Chamber Enlargement at Non–Electrocardiographically Gated Multidetector CT: Current Techniques, Limitations, and Clinical Implications

Advantages and limitations of several techniques to assess cardiac chamber size at non–electrocardiographically gated multidetector CT are highlighted, and some important clinical features of cardi...
MP27-18 INTRAOPERATIVE USE OF BETADINE IRRIGATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH A 9-FOLD INCREASE OF PENILE PROSTHESIS INFECTION

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:Infection remains a persistent complication of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery. Despite popularity of the Mulcahy IPP washout protocol, Betadine has known tissue toxicity. We evaluated IPP infection rate based on the type of intraoperative irrigation utilized, Betadine (10%) versus Vancomycin / Gentamicin, and other factors which may affect infection rate.METHODS:We reviewed a consecutive series from a detailed, prospective database of men undergoing primary, revision, and salvage penile prostheses at our institution. The primary outcome was rate of IPP infection prior to and following change of intra-operative irrigation. No other changes to operative or perioperative techniques occurred following the change in irrigation solution. Univariate and regression analyses were used to evaluate differences in infection rate with use of Betadine versus Vancomycin/Gentamicin irrigation. Multiple potential confounders were reviewed including patient demographics, comorbiditie...
Partisan Bias in Surveys

If citizens are to hold politicians accountable for their performance, they probably must have some sense of the relevant facts, such as whether the economy is growing. In surveys, Democrats and Re...
Wrap-Around Core–Shell Heterostructures of Layered Crystals

Engineered heterostructures create new functionality by integrating dissimilar materials. Combining different 2D crystals naturally produces two distinct classes of heterostructures, vertical van der Waals (vdW) stacks or 2D sheets bonded laterally by covalent line interfaces. When joining thicker layered crystals, the arising structural and topological conflicts can result in more complex geometries. Phase separation during one-pot synthesis of layered tin chalcogenides spontaneously creates core-shell structures in which large orthorhombic SnS crystals are enclosed in a wrap-around shell of trigonal SnS2 , forcing the coexistence of parallel vdW layering along with unconventional, orthogonally layered core-shell interfaces. Measurements of the optoelectronic properties establish anisotropic carrier separation near type II core-shell interfaces and extended long-wavelength light harvesting via spatially indirect interfacial absorption, making multifunctional layered core-shell structures attractive for energy-conversion applications.
Linguistic Issues in Interviewing

Social workers may encounter three linguistic problem areas during interviews—language differences, labeling, and the clients' inability to articulate concerns
Creating a Community of Caring within a School

Students often arrive at school not ready to learn due to stress and trauma. In order to thrive in school, students need to know that within the school is an intentional, multi-layered system of caring. This manuscript details strategies at the individual, classroom, and school level. Having targeted strategies to assist students is essential in creating a caring community within the school context.
Weighting for the USDA Forest Service, National Woodland Owner Survey

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service's National Woodland Owner Survey (NWOS) collects information on the attitudes, behaviors, and general characteristics of private forest ownerships across the United States. An area-based sample design that results in inclusion probabilities proportional to size of forest holdings is used to select ownerships to participate in the survey. In order to make accurate population-level estimates, this sample design must be incorporated into the estimators. In this report, a weighting approach for generating estimates of totals, means, proportions, and quartiles from NWOS data in terms of ownerships and acreages is presented, along with a bootstrapping approach for estimation of the associated variances. In addition to presenting a theoretical justification for the approach, the estimators are validated using data from a fully enumerated population. An R package for implementing the estimators is available on GitHub (https://github.com/familyforestresearchcenter/nwos).
Earning Extra Income

Eric will retire at fifty-two with a salary-for-life very close to what he was making teaching high school history. He, and many other teachers, are able to achieve such freedom by making good choices throughout their careers. This chapter introduces ideas for increasing your educator income. Investing in human capital, considering part-time work, or even becoming an entrepreneur can all be intriguing possibilities. Eric pursued a number of these and has reaped benefits not available to his college buddies that entered more lucrative fields.
Comparative studies on the in vitro response of bacteria to invertebrate body fluids: III. Stichopus tremulus (Sea Cucumber) andDendraster excentricus (Sand Dollar)

Abstract Six species of marine bacteria and one terrestrial bacterium were incubated in cell-free and cell-containing coelomic fluids of the echinoderms Stichopus tremulus and Dendraster excentricus . None of the bacteria were killed by the fluids, and inhibition was less than that occurring in seawater alone. Inhibition, or partial killing, was more pronounced in the Stichopus fluids. Bacteriostatic factors in Stichopus fluids probably rest mainly in the coelomocytes since bacterial counts were consistently lower in whole fluids than in cell-free fluids. The gram-positive Gaffkya homari was almost as strongly depressed by Stichopus whole fluid as by seawater alone. It is postulated that phagocytosis may have been a factor in this depression.
Anisotropically Functionalized Nanotube Anchors for Improving the Mechanical Strength of Immiscible Polymer Composites

Plastic recycling is limited due to the immiscibility of most polymers and the weakness of the corresponding interface. Here, a method to synthesize block nanotubes in a scalable manner is describe...
Real-world effectiveness of mepolizumab in patients with severe asthma and associated comorbidities

BACKGROUND Patients with severe asthma frequently have associated comorbidities, which can compound existing symptoms, complicating asthma management. OBJECTIVE To describe the real-world effectiveness of mepolizumab in patients with severe asthma stratified by common overlapping comorbidities. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of patients with asthma from the MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Database initiating mepolizumab treatment (index date). Eligible patients had more than or equal to 1 claim (excluding claims for diagnostic tests) with a diagnosis code for more than or equal to 1 of 7 comorbidities (atopic disease, nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis, obesity, respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and depression/anxiety) during the 12-month preindex baseline period; these were used to stratify patients into 7 nonmutually exclusive subgroups. Outcomes included asthma exacerbations and exacerbation-related health care resource utilization during the 12-month baseline and follow-up periods. Each patient acted as their own control. RESULTS Of the 639 patients included, the most common comorbidities were atopic diseases (73.2%), respiratory infections (55.6%), and chronic sinusitis (45.1%). Across all 7 comorbidity subgroups, there were significant (P < .05) reductions of 38% to 55% and 57% to 83% in exacerbations and exacerbations requiring hospitalization, respectively, during the follow-up vs baseline period, except for exacerbations requiring hospitalization in the nasal polyp subgroup, owing to the small subgroup sample size. During the follow-up vs baseline periods, mean number of oral corticosteroids claims was significantly (P < .001) reduced by 29% to 38%; 39% to 47% of patients achieved greater than or equal to 50% oral corticosteroids dose reduction. Significant reductions in exacerbation-related health care resource utilization were also observed. CONCLUSION Mepolizumab treatment provided real-world clinical benefits in patients.
Product quality cues and firm performance enhancement: the case of the auto industry

The current study highlights the importance of minute cues for quality at the product level in firm performance. Using data in the U.S. auto industry, our results demonstrate that product cues with...
David Oliver: What the plan for social care omitted.

Standing on the steps of Downing Street as he took office as UK prime minister in July 2019, Boris Johnson promised to “fix the crisis in social care, once and for all, with a clear plan . . . to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve.” He reiterated this pledge in his Queen’s speech that October, promising to “bring forward proposals to reform adult social care in England.”12 Finally, this week, on 7 September 2021, Johnson announced Building Back Better , the plan for health and social care in England.3 This focused far more on reducing the NHS backlog after covid-19 than on adult social care itself, but it was approved by a House of Commons majority on 8 September.4 For a plan that was two years in the making, the details fall well short of what’s been promised and are notable for what they omit as much as what they include. Despite exhortations from …
Fabrication of quasi-random photonic crystals for ultrathin solar cells

Quasi-random structures for light management present an intermediate ordering between a completely random rough surface and a perfect ordered photonic crystal. They are attractive for broadband applications due to their power spectral density. This makes them excellent candidates for photovoltaic applications. Here we present preliminary fabrication results creating quasi-random structures using a self-assembly approach based on polymer blends and wet etching. We are able to create patterns with average lattice constant of five to two microns. This structure is proposed to be used as a rear patterning layer for ultrathin GaAs cells for better sustainability and radiation- hard devices.
A STUDY OF PARTICIPATION IN DYNAMIC AUCTIONS

This article studies repeated entry and bidding decisions in construction procurement auctions. I find evidence in the data that suggests the presence of significant cost savings from entering contracts of the same type. I estimate a dynamic auction model to measure the gains to experience for bidders. I allow for endogenous entry, synergies in entry, and unobserved auction heterogeneity. I find that a bidder can halve entry costs by focusing on specific contract types. An auctioneer can increase competition by awarding contracts of the same type in sequence. As a result, procurement costs for each contract can be lowered by 7%, a saving of $110,000.
Validation of Mycobacteriophage Genome Annotation by Mass Spectrometry

Mycobacteriophages are viruses that infect Mycobacteria. Phage proteins are traditionally studied by nucleotide sequence based methods. Phage host interactions are complex and thus it is important to validate in silico annotations with a wet lab also examining the phage-host interaction. In this research, fifteen mycobacteriophages isolated through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Science Education Alliance (SEA) were examined by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Phage samples were incubated with host cell culture overnight, proteins extracted, digested and subjected to LC-MS/MS. The results were analyzed using Mascot and peptides of host cells and phages were identified by searching MS spectral data in separate bioinformatics databases. We found the proteomic data could be used to cluster new phages based upon protein comparison with previously characterized phage genomes. We detected unexpected peptides that were not predicted by the genome annotation. Our findings...
Advanced Micro Devices: Competing in the Shadow of a Giant (A)

As the only significant competitor to Intel Corporation in PC microprocessors, Advanced Micro Devices faced daunting investment choices. Not only did it have to fund microprocessor design teams, it also had to fund silicon process R&D, and it faces huge capital expenditures associated with constructing its manufacturing facilities. The company was at a crossroads: it had to decide whether to partner with IBM, or align with other firms as it tried to keep up with Intel.
Optimization of catalytic cracking process for upgrading camelina oil to hydrocarbon biofuel

Abstract Catalytic cracking of camelina oil over Zn/ZSM-5 catalyst in a fixed-bed tubular reactor was investigated. An optimization study on the catalytic cracking conditions based on nine well-planned orthogonal experiments was carried out. Three main operation conditions including reaction temperature, liquid hourly space velocity and oil extraction press frequency were studied to examine their effects on the yield and quality of hydrocarbon biofuel produced. Characterization of the catalyst, hydrocarbon biofuel and non-condensable gas was conducted. There was no significant difference between the bulk structures of fresh Zn/ZSM-5 and used Zn/ZSM-5. Small ZnO particles dispersed well on the parent ZSM-5. Hydrocarbon biofuel contained 65.18% hydrocarbons and its properties including dynamic viscosity, density and higher heating value were improved after upgrading, compared to camelina oil. It was found that the oil extraction press frequency was the most important factor and liquid hourly space velocity was the least important factor for the hydrocarbon biofuel production. In addition, the optimum conditions for camelina oil upgrading were a combination of reaction temperature of 550 °C, a liquid hourly space velocity of 1.0 h −1 and an oil extraction press frequency of 15 Hz.
Management of Elderly Patients With Cancer

Whether a patient is a candidate for cancer therapy goes far beyond the person's age. To evaluate an older adult for cancer treatment, oncologists must understand the benefits and quantify the risks of the proposed treatment, determine the patient's decision-making capacity, and make the decision in collaboration with the patient's preferences and values. In her presentation at the NCCN 18th Annual Conference, Dr. Arti Hurria discussed the major components in the comprehensive geriatric assessment in the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Senior Adult Oncology, focusing on functional (rather than chronologic) age, comorbidities, nutritional status, cognitive impairment, and psychosocial support. By uncovering problems possibly left undetected on a routine history and physical examination, this assessment may lead to interventions that improve health and wellbeing in older people with cancer.
Using reformulation trees to optimize queries over distributed heterogeneous sources

In order to effectively and quickly answer queries in environments with distributed RDF/OWL, we present a query optimization algorithm to identify the potentially relevant Semantic Web data sources using structural query features and a term index. This algorithm is based on the observation that the join selectivity of a pair of query triple patterns is often higher than the overall selectivity of these two patterns treated independently. Given a rule goal tree that expresses the reformulation of a conjunctive query, our algorithm uses a bottom-up approach to estimate the selectivity of each node. It then prioritizes loading of selective nodes and uses the information from these sources to further constrain other nodes. Finally, we use an OWL reasoner to answer queries over the selected sources and their corresponding ontologies. We have evaluated our system using both a synthetic data set and a subset of the real-world Billion Triple Challenge data.
OPEC behavior, 1998–2001

Abstract Price volatility has been a central feature of the world oil market over the past several years. Oil prices plunged to around $10/barrel in late 1998 and early 1999, then recovered and soared above $30/barrel in 2000. After seriously misjudging the oil market in 1997–98 and contributing to an oil price collapse, OPEC rallied in 1999–2000 and successfully pushed prices upward but overshot its target. In the first half of 2001 OPEC maintained high but more stable oil prices. Later in the year OPEC struggled to manage falling prices set off by a global recession made worse by the attacks of September 11 and the war on terrorism. The oil price collapse caused serious damage to OPEC economies. Price recovery became a survival priority, and this was the prime motivation for a more successful effort to reduce production in 1999 in order to raise prices. Because of accumulated debts and expanded government services, and their failure to diversify their economies, most OPEC Gulf states have now become dependent on higher oil prices to fund their revenue needs. This explains OPEC’s shift in strategy from market share to target price around $25/barrel and the adoption of a higher price band. But is the target price too high for the present world economy? Will it encourage or discourage the long-term growth in oil demand upon which OPEC depends? Political factors are also important in OPEC’s improved discipline, including changes in government in Venezuela and other states, a Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, and increased professionalism on the part of OPEC itself in managing and reacting to the oil market. Nevertheless, OPEC has difficulty in exercising its market power. It has only one instrument—adjusting supply—to meet seasonal demand changes for crude oil, changes in Iraqi exports, price movements, and shifting economic conditions. The oil market is a difficult market to manage, and OPEC still works with imperfect data and limited instruments. There are important aspects of the market over which it has little control. Price volatility is therefore likely to continue in the years ahead.
Integrating the learning library into the undergraduate curriculum: extending staff resources for library instruction

Abstract The University of California — Irvine (UCI) libraries utilize four models for providing library instruction to undergraduate students. The four instructional models were developed to enable UCI students to become information literate and were designed to maximize the use of existing library staff and utilize other campus staff resources. The four models, as originally outlined at the ACRL President's Program Showcase of Ideas in 1997, are described in detail. An evaluation of each model based on experience since 1997 is included.
Accuracy of dose measurements and calculations within and beyond heterogeneous tissues for 6 MV photon fields smaller than 4 cm produced by Cyberknife

For the small radiation field sizes used in stereotactic radiosurgery, lateral electronic disequilibrium and steep dose gradients exist in a large portion of these fields, requiring the use of high-resolution measurement techniques. These relatively large areas of electronic disequilibrium make accurate dosimetry as well as dose calculation more difficult, and this is exacerbated in regions of tissue heterogeneity. Tissue heterogeneity was considered insignificant in the brain where stereotactic radiosurgery was first used. However, as this technique is expanded to the head and neck and other body sites, dose calculations need to account for dose perturbations in and beyond air cavities, lung, and bone. In a previous study we have evaluated EBT Gafchromic film (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ) for dosimetry and characterization of the Cyberknife radiation beams and found that it was comparable to other common detectors used for small photon beams in solid water equivalent phantoms. In the present work EBT film is used to measure dose in heterogeneous slab phantoms containing lung and bone equivalent materials for the 6 MV radiation beams of diameter 7.5 to 40 mm produced by the Cyberknife (Accuray, Sunnyvale, CA). These measurements are compared to calculations done with both the clinically utilized Raytrace algorithm as well as the newly developed Monte Carlo based algorithm available on the Cyberknife treatment planning system. Within the low density material both the measurements and Monte Carlo calculations correctly model the decrease in dose produced by a loss of electronic equilibrium, whereas the Raytrace algorithm incorrectly predicts an enhancement of dose in this region. Beyond the low density material an enhancement of dose is correctly calculated by both algorithms. Within the high density bone heterogeneity the EBT film measurements represent dose to unit density tissue in bone and agree with the Monte Carlo results when corrected to dose to unit density tissue in bone. We conclude that EBT film is an appropriate dosimeter for measuring dose in heterogeneous materials and these measurements agree with Monte Carlo calculations of dose as implemented in the Cyberknife treatment planning system.
Comparison of Three Algorithms for Detection of Amperometric Spikes Resulting from Quantal Exocytosis

Electrochemical microelectrodes located immediately adjacent to the cell surface can detect spikes of amperometric current during quantal exocytosis as the transmitter released from a single vesicle is oxidized on the electrode surface. Automated techniques are needed to detect spikes that vary considerably in amplitude and time course. We compared three algorithms for spike detection against the gold standard of manual detection. The most widely used method for spike detection is testing when the current slope (first derivative) exceeds a threshold (DT method). The DT method is sensitive to the selection of both the low-pass filter settings and the threshold. A second method is to scan the data set with one or more prototype spike templates while performing a least-squares fit to find the amplitude and standard error of the fit at each time point. A spike is identified when the ratio of the fit amplitude to the standard error exceeds a threshold (CB method). This method is not as sensitive to filter settings or threshold but is sensitive to the choice of template(s). Finally, we tested a new approach (DLS method) that is similar to the CB method but performs a least-square fit of the sum of two templates consisting of faster and slower exponential decays. Receiver Operator Characteristic plots demonstrate that the DT method fails to detect slower spikes without generating significant false positives. The CB method also fails to detect some spikes manually identified when using up to three templates. On the other hand, the DLS method detected a much wider range of spike types with the use of only two spike templates. We conclude that the DLS method enables detection of a large variety of spikes without excessive computational cost. Supported by NIH R43MH96650.
Small left atrial volume is an independent predictor for fainting during head-up tilt test: the impact of intracardiac volume reserve in vasovagal syncope.

Abstract Background Vigorous left ventricular (LV) contraction with progressive ventricular emptying during orthostatic stress may induce hyper-responsiveness of cardiac mechanoreceptor and vasovagal syncope (VVS). We hypothesized that intracardiac volume reserve estimated by the left atrial (LA) volume index (LAVI) plays an important role in the mechanism of VVS. Methods A total of 234 patients (115 male, 44±18years) who underwent head-up tilt test (HTT) and transthoracic echocardiography for unexplained syncope were consecutively enrolled. Patients with a positive HTT result (HTT+; n=152) were compared with those with negative HTT response (HTT−; n=82). Results 1. Compared to HTT− patients, HTT+ patients were younger (41±17 vs. 48±17years, p=0.005), included a higher number of females (56% vs. 50%, p=0.009) and showed higher basal heart rate (67±12 vs. 63±11bpm, p=0.047). 2. LAVI (20±5 vs. 26±13ml/m 2 , p 2 did not faint during HTT. Conclusion Small LA volume is an independent predictor of HTT-induced VVS. Limited intracardiac volume reserve might play an important role in the mechanism of VVS.
957 BACTERIAL INFECTION IN THE ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME

We have reviewed the incidence of bacterial infections in 46 children with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Twenty-five episodes of culture proven sepsis were documented in 20 patients. Twenty patients had at least one episode of serious bacterial infection. Meningitis occurred in 5 instances. Other infections included lobar pneumonia, cellulitis, purulent lymphadenitis, and skin abcesses. Two children had chronically draining otitis media. Urinary tract infection in the absence of sepsis occurred on 9 occasions. Organisms most commonly isolated in outpatients or recently hospitalized patients included pheumococcus, H. Influenza group B, staphylococcus ameus and salmonella. Staph sepsis frequently accompanied skin infection. All episodes of enteric or nosocomial gram negative sepsis occurred in either hospitalized children or in outpatients on extensive antibiotic therapy. E. Coli was the predominant urinary pathogen. Bacterial infection is a major cause of morbidity in pediatric AIDS.
Buddhist Deities and Mantras in the Hindu Tantras: I The Tantrasārasamgraha and the Īśānaśivagurudevapaddhati

L'A. traite de l'influence du tantrisme bouddhiste sur les tantras hindous comme provenant avec evidence de l'adoption de divinites bouddhistes, de mantras et d'elements de processus de culte tantrique typiquement bouddhistes. Dans une premiere partie, il examine les influences bouddhistes dans deux textes tres proches, le Tantrasārasamgraha et le Mantrapāda du Īsānasivagurudevapaddhati. Dans une deuxieme partie, il aborde les divinites et mantras bouddhistes dans deux compilations plus tardives, le Srīvidyārnavatantra attribue a Vidyāranya Yati et le Tantrasāra de Krsnānanda Agamavāgīsa.
Surnames as indicators of European admixture in Andean Indians

The goal of the present report was to determine how well surnames assess the degree of European admixture in urban Aymara. Reflectances, which were measured at three wavelengths (425 nm, 545 nm, and 685 nm) and on two sites (the medial surface of the upper arm and the forehead), were used as genetic markers. The sample consisted of 556 Andean Indians of Aymara ancestry (305 males, 251 females; 10.0–29.9 yr) residing in La Paz, Bolivia (average altitude of about 3600 m). The first component from a principal components analysis was demonstrated to assess the underlying genetics of pigmentation, after controlling for tanning and vascularity, the two primary environmental modifiers of skin color. The scores associated with the first principal component were there-force entered into a discriminant function analysis, which indicated that surnames provide a useful indirect index of the degree of European admixture in urban Aymara. However, these results also suggested that the relationship between, surnames and ethnicity is not equally strong across all surname categories. In particular, the likelihood of correctly predicting surname category from reflectances was about twice that expected by chance alone in individuals with two Aymara or two Spanish surnames but was slightly less than would be expected by chance alone in those with mixed surnames. In addition, the findings of this study suggested that there may be significant genetic differences between rural and urban Aymara.
On the computational complexity of strong edge coloring

In the strong edge coloring problem, the objective is to color the edges of the given graph with the minimum number of colors so that every color class is an induced matching. In this paper, we will prove that this problem is NP-complete even in a very restricted setting. Also, a closely related problem, namely the maximum antimatching problem, is studied, and some NP-completeness results and a polynomial time algorithm for a subproblem are derived.
A strongly coupled quark?gluon plasma

Successful description of robust collective flow phenomena at RHIC by ideal hydrodynamics, recent observations of bound states on the lattice, and other theoretical developments indicate that QGP produced at RHIC, and probably in a wider temperature region Tc < T < 4Tc, is not a weakly coupled quasiparticle gas as believed previously. We discuss how strong the interaction is and why it seems to generate hundreds of binary channels with bound states, surviving well inside the QGP phase. We in particular discuss their effect on pressure and viscosity. We conclude by reviewing the similar phenomena for other 'strongly coupled systems', such as (i) strongly coupled supersymmetric theories studied via Maldacena duality; (ii) trapped ultra-cold atoms with very large scattering length, tuned to Feschbach resonances.
Selective and sensitive fluorescent sensors for metal ions based on manipulation of side-chain compositions of poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s.

The syntheses and metal-responsive properties of poly(p-phenyleenethynylene)s with grafted new pseudo-crown-ether groups are reported. These polymers exhibit high sensitivities to alkali ions because of their collective optical properties, which are very sensitive to ion-induced conformational changes. The quenching of polymer fluorescence caused by the conformational changes is proportional to the ion concentration. The selectivity of the sensing materials toward Li+ ions is significantly enhanced by controlling the size of the binding site via manipulation of the polymer side-chain compositions. The polymers are very stable for their six-month solid-state storage at room temperature.
Orthostatic hypotension, anhidrosis, and impotence.

Anhidrosis and impotence occur frequently with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension. Two new cases of this syndrome, which occurs chiefly in males over 40 years of age, are herewith described. Postural vertigo and/or syncope, weakness, and anhidrosis or hypohidrosis are common symptoms, and a marked fall in systolic and diastolic blood pressure is noted when the patients stand. The pathologic physiology of the syndrome is discussed and various forms of therapy, none of them especially satisfactory, are reviewed.
Refractory status epilepticus.

Purpose of reviewAlthough conventional anticonvulsant agents can terminate status epilepticus in most cases, a substantial minority of patients develops medically refractory status and requires more aggressive care. This review explores the options available.Recent findingsIncreasing numbers of prev
Skull Base Involvement by Acinic Cell Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland

Objective Describe the clinical course and outcomes of patients with primary acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) of the parotid gland with skull base invasion or metastasis. Design Retrospective case series (1995–2011) at a single institution. Results Ten patients met study criteria. Mean and median time from initial diagnosis of parotid ACC to development of skull base disease were 14.6 and 10.2 years, respectively. Two patients demonstrated skull base disease on initial presentation. Those who pursued further treatment after developing disease at the skull base underwent surgery (4/7), stereotactic radiosurgery (4/7), or external beam radiation (3/7). The 10-year Kaplan-Meier estimated overall survival after initial diagnosis of parotid ACC was 80%. Once skull base invasion occurred, 2-year estimated overall survival was 50%. Conclusion Although primary ACC of the parotid generally caries an excellent prognosis, tumor control with cranial base disease is difficult and the majority of patients present with late aggressive recurrences. Our observations underscore the importance of long-term follow-up in this patient group.
O2+ versus Cs+ for high depth resolution depth profiling of III–V nitride-based semiconductor devices

Abstract Optimum depth resolution with adequate sensitivity for the elements of interest is required to obtain the information desired from SIMS analysis of multilayer nitride III–V structures. For many of the species of interest, particularly the p-type dopants, O2+ bombardment at low energy is often used. Use of Cs+ bombardment and detection of the cesium attachment secondary ions (CsM+ where M is the element of interest) may provide several advantages over O2+ analysis. Using similar low primary ion impact energy analysis conditions for O2+ and Cs+ on CAMECA IMS-6f and IMS-4f instruments, the depth resolution obtained for positive secondary ions is compared.
Beyond the closed suture in apert syndrome mouse models: Evidence of primary effects of FGFR2 signaling on facial shape at birth

Apert syndrome is a congenital disorder caused mainly by two neighboring mutations on fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2). Premature closure of the coronal suture is commonly considered the identifying and primary defect triggering or preceding the additional cranial malformations of Apert phenotype. Here we use two transgenic mouse models of Apert syndrome, Fgfr2+/S252W and Fgfr2+/P253R, to explore variation in cranial phenotypes in newborn (P0) mice. Results show that the facial skeleton is the most affected region of the cranium. Coronal suture patency shows marked variation that is not strongly correlated with skull dysmorphology. The craniofacial effects of the FGFR2 mutations are similar, but Fgfr2+/S252W mutant mice display significantly more severe dysmorphology localized to the posterior palate. Our results demonstrate that coronal suture closure is neither the primary nor the sole locus of skull dysmorphology in these mouse models for Apert syndrome, but that the face is also primarily affected.
TU‐C‐17A‐12: Towards a Passively Optimized Phase‐Space Monte Carlo (POPMC) Treatment Planning Method: A Proof of Principle

Purpose: The advent of on-line/off-line adaptive, and biologically-conformal radiation therapy has led to a need for treatment planning solutions that utilize voxel-specific penalties, requiring optimization over a large solution space that is performed quickly, and the dose in each voxel calculated accurately. This work proposes a “passive” optimization framework, which is executed concurrently during Monte Carlo dose calculation, evaluating the cost/benefit of each history during transport, and creates a passively optimized fluence map. Methods: The Monte Carlo code Geant4 v9.6 was used for this study. The standard voxel geometry implementation was modified to support the passive optimization framework, with voxel-specific optimization parameters. Dose-benefit functions, which will increase a particle history’s weight upon dose deposition, were defined in a central collection of voxels to effectively create target structures. Histories that deposit energy to voxels are reweighted based on a voxel’s dose multiplied by its cost/benefit value. Upon full termination of each history, the dose contributions of that history are reweighted to reflect a contribution proportional to the history’s final weight. A parallel-planar 1.25 MeV photon fluence is transported through the geometry, and re-weighted at each dose deposition step. The resulting weight is tallied with the incident spatial and directional coordinates inmore » a phase-space distribution. Results: A uniform incident fluence was reweighted during MC dose calculations to create an optimized fluence map which would generate dose profiles in target volumes that exhibit the same dose characteristics as the prescribed optimization parameters. An optimized dose profile, calculated concurrently with the phase-space, reflects the resulting dose distribution. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of passively optimizing an incident fluence map during Monte Carlo dose calculations. The flexibility of the voxel-specific optimization framework allows a variety and combination of optimization parameters to be calculated for each voxel at every transportation step. This work is partially supported by Varian. This work is partially supported by the NIH.« less
Postscripts on Premorbid Ability Estimation: Conceptual Addenda and a Few Words on Alternative and Conditional Approaches

The estimation of premorbid ability levels has been debated for some time. Some of the difficult issues involved are reviewed here and comments provided on certain approaches, some of which tend to be popular for reasons of convenience and false beliefs of their accuracy, and some that are less well-known. Demographic estimation procedures in particular tend to fare better than believed in some research. An additional approach is recommended for further research, one that is equally applicable to children and adults, and that takes maximum advantage of the known relationships among IQ and genetic and environmental variance in intellectual development.
Chromosomal segregational mechanisms in ant-lions (Myrmeleontidae, Neuroptera)

In a single male specimen of Myrmeleon mexicanum Banks the sex chromosomes, normally X and Y, were replaced by what appeared to be X1X2 and Y. These segregated as expected on that interpretation in only half of the spermatocytes — in the other half, one X and the Y segregated from the other X. This atypical segregation is explicable on the assumption that one of the supposed Xs is a supernumerary, not a sex chromosome, and the diploid complement of the male comprises six pairs of autosomes plus a supernumerary and the X and Y sex chromosomes. The orientation of the X chromosomes at first metaphase was variable: kinetochoric activity may be localized midway the length of the chromosome, as in gonial mitosis, or terminally. Comparative study of three congeneric species, seven of Brachynemurus, one of Psammoleon, and one of Vella showed normal segregation in all, and no evidence for secondary kinetochoric activity. In nine of the species studied one pair of autosomes was unconjoined at first metaphase in 0.3%–1.2% of primary spermatocytes. These autosomes segregated precociously with the sex chromosomes in the central unit of the spindle. In one exceptional male of Brachynemurus hubbardi Currie all first meiotic metaphases showed this behavior, and a compound X1X2/Y1Y2 system was thus simulated. Bivalent formation replaced distance segregation of sex chromosomes in 0.4%–3.2% of the spermatocytes in seven of the thirteen species studied. These sex-bivalents frequently displayed partial or complete failure in congression.
A Simple Flow Rule for Characterizing Nonlinear Behavior of Fiber Composites

A one-parameter flow rule for orthotropic plasticity was developed to describe nonlinear behavior of fiber composites. Since most fiber composites exhibit in significant plasticity in the longitudi...
Pulse control of flexible multibody systems

Abstract An active pulse control method is developed to reduce the vibrations of multibody systems resulting from impact loadings. The pulse, which is a function of system generalized coordinates and velocities, is determined analytically using energy and momentum balance equations of the impacting bodies. Elastic components in the multibody system are discretized using the finite element method. The system equations of motions and nonlinear algebraic constraint equations describing mechanical joints between different components are written in the Lagrangian formulation using a finite set of coupled reference position and local elastic generalized coordinates. A set of independent differential equations are identified by the generalized coordinate partitioning of the constraint Jacobian matrix. These equations are written in the state space formulation and integrated forward in time using a direct numerical integration method. Dependent coordinates are then determined using the constraint kinematic relations. Points in time at which impact occurs are monitored by an impact predictor function, which controls the integration algorithms and forces for the solution of the momentum relation, to define the jump discontinuities in the composite velocity vector as well as the system reaction forces. The effectiveness of the active pulse control in reducing the vibration of flexible multibody aircraft during the touchdown impact is investigated and numerical results are presented.
Market and state: Evaluating tanzania's program of state-led industrialization

Abstract As market-oriented development strategies have become more popular in recent years, state-led development programs have been criticized for not producing efficient outcomes. Efficiency, however, was not the major motivation for state intervention in economies. Focusing on theories of public versus private production, I argue that broad-scale state interventions may be a rational choice for some developing states. I examine the origins and consequences of Tanzania's state-led program in terms of these theories. Comparing Tanzania to Kenya (a market-oriented case) I show that the state-led program was successful at strengthening the capital market and producing a faster rate of capital formation.
Extensive experience with dural sinus thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE Dural sinus thrombosis (DST) is an uncommon cause of stroke. The safest and most effective therapy for DST has not been conclusively identified. METHODS A retrospective chart review of data for 31 patients who were treated for DST at our institution between 1992 and 2001 was performed. Four treatment strategies were identified, i.e., 1). medical observation only, 2). systemic anticoagulation (AC) therapy with heparin, 3). endovascular chemical thrombolysis with urokinase or tissue plasminogen activator and concurrent systemic AC therapy, and 4). mechanical endovascular clot thrombolysis with concurrent systemic AC therapy. Complications and clinical outcomes were assessed for each group. RESULTS Patients treated solely with medical observation fared the worst; four of five patients experienced intracranial hemorrhagic complications, and only two of five exhibited clinical improvement. Patients who received systemic AC therapy experienced no hemorrhagic complications, even when pretreatment hemorrhage was present; 75% (six of eight patients) exhibited improvement with AC therapy alone. Chemical thrombolysis was very effective in restoring sinus patency (90% of patients); however, 30% of patients (3 of 10 patients) experienced hemorrhagic complications. Sixty percent of patients (6 of 10 patients) who underwent chemical thrombolysis exhibited clinical improvement. Patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomies demonstrated a low hemorrhagic complication rate, and most (88%) made good recoveries. CONCLUSION Therapy directed at the underlying clot in DST must begin without delay. Our results suggest that supportive medical management of DST, without therapy directed at the clot or clotting process, is not effective. Systemic AC therapy, even in the presence of intracerebral hemorrhage, seems to be safe. Heparin can be safely titrated to yield partial thromboplastin times of 60 to 70 seconds. Chemical clot thrombolysis is efficacious in opening occluded sinuses but may cause intracranial hemorrhage. We currently recommend either systemic AC therapy or systemic AC therapy in conjunction with mechanical clot thrombectomy as a safe effective treatment for DST.
The Union War. By Gary W. Gallagher. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2011. Pp. 215. $17.95.)

In his 1997 study, The Confederate War, Gary Gallagher sought to buck the historiographical trend and demonstrate that Confederate soldiers and civilians, far from lacking sufficient will, remained...
Primary intraocular lens implantation in the setting of penetrating ocular trauma

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcome of patients who underwent lensectomy and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation at the time of primary repair of a penetrating ocular injury. Methods: A review of 14 patients who sustained cataracts and lens rupture in the setting of a corneal laceration to determine anatomic and visual outcome, in addition to complications related to the primary IOL. Results: The IOL remained anatomically stable in all 14 patients with no complications encountered at implantation or after surgery. Final visual acuity in 9 of the 14 patients was 20/40 or better. Six patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy for removal of an intraocular foreign body. Conclusion: Intraocular lens implantation at the time of lensectomy and primary repair of a corneal laceration allows good visual rehabilitation with restoration of binocular function and serves as an alternative to contact lens correction in select patients.
The Impact of Early Maternal Verbal Scaffolding and Child Language Abilities on Later Decoding and Reading Comprehension Skills.

Abstract This study examined, via structural equation modeling, early predictors of children's 8 year reading decoding and 10 year comprehension at later school age. Maternal verbal scaffolding indirectly influenced both decoding and comprehension, through its support of children's language abilities at 3 and 4 years of age. Additionally, there was a trend for a direct effect of 4 year child language on reading comprehension at 10 years. As maternal verbal scaffolding was assessed during every day routines, this suggests that rich language input in the broad social context of the home promotes language and, in turn, later reading skills. Given that maternal verbal scaffolding can be enhanced through interventions, these results have important educational implications.