cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Step-by-Step robotic heminephrectomy for duplicated renal collecting system

Introduction A duplicated renal collecting system is a relatively common congenital anomaly rarely presenting in adults. Aim In this video we demonstrate our step-by-step technique of Robotic heminephrectomy in a patient with non-functioning upper pole moiety. Materials and Methods Following cystoscopy and ureteral catheter insertion the patient was placed in 600 modified flank position with the ipsilateral arm positioned at the side of the patient. A straight-line, three arm robotic port configuration was employed. The robot was docked at a 90-degree angle, perpendicular to the patient. Following mobilization the colon and identifying both ureters of the duplicated system, the ureters were followed cephalically toward, hilar vessels where the hilar anatomy was identified. The nonfunctioning pole vasculature was ligated using hem-o-lok clips. The ureter was sharply divided and the proximal ureteral stump was passed posterior the renal hilum. Ureteral stump was used as for retraction and heminephrectomy is completed along the line demarcating the upper and lower pole moieties. Renorrhaphy was performed using 0-Vicryl suture with a CT-1 needle. The nonfunctioning pole ureter was then dissected caudally toward the bladder hiatus, ligated using clips, and transected. Results The operating time was 240 minutes and blood loss was 100 cc. There was no complication post-operatively. Conclusions Wrist articulation and degree of freedom offered by robotic platform facilitates successful performance of minimally invasive heminephrectomy in the setting of an atrophic and symptomatic renal segment.
Joint ventures between US MNCs and foreign governments

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the initial stock price reaction and long‐run returns for joint venture announcements between US MNCs and foreign governments as well as the firm characteristics and political risk factors of the foreign governments that affect the abnormal returns. In addition we determine changes in total and systematic risk following the joint venture.Design/methodology/approach – Announcement abnormal returns are calculated using event study cumulative abnormal returns. Long‐run returns use a buy and hold methodology. Cross section regressions are performed on both the announcement and long run returns.Findings – Announcement abnormal returns are a positive 0.37 percent; however, the long‐run returns are a significant −3.99 percent the end of the first year. Both short‐run and long‐run returns are higher when the level of internal conflict is low, and surprisingly when the level of corruption is high. Also, surprisingly, short‐run returns are higher when ethnic viole...
Primary treatment choices for men with clinically localized prostate carcinoma detected by screening

BACKGROUND Increasingly, prostate carcinoma is diagnosed through screening. However, little is known regarding factors that influence a patient's decision concerning the treatment choices presented to him. METHODS Subjects were prostate carcinoma patients detected through the Washington University PSA Prostate Cancer Screening Program between September 1989 and June 1998. The sources of data were the prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening database and follow-up questionnaire. RESULTS Among 1809 study subjects, 79.2% chose radical prostatectomy (RP), 12.4% chose radiation therapy, and 8.4% chose watchful waiting (WW) as their decision regarding primary treatment. In bivariate analyses, education, income, age, indication for prostate biopsy, comorbidity score, serum PSA level, clinical stage, and pretreatment urinary and sexual function were associated significantly with treatment choice, but race, marital status, and Gleason grade were not. In a multivariate analysis, age, race, clinical stage, PSA level, and pretreatment urinary and sexual function were found to be associated significantly with treatment choice. For every 5-year decrease in age, the odds for choosing RP versus WW increased by 276%; for every 1-ng increase in PSA, the odds for choosing RP versus WW increased by 12%. Non-African-American patients were greater than four times more likely to select RP versus WW. Patients with T2 tumors and those with normal pretreatment urinary function were three times more likely and twice more likely to choose RP versus WW, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In the current study, RP was the most widely used treatment in patients with screen-detected prostate carcinoma. Age, race, PSA level, clinical stage, and pretreatment urinary and sexual function were significant factors influencing treatment selection. Cancer 2000;88:1122–30. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Intravesical chemotherapy in the management of carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder

Findings of flat carcinoma in situ in the urinary bladder in the absence of concomitant papillary or solid transitional cell cancer has suggested a clinical course that has ranged from rapid progression to a more or less benign, non-threatening diathesis. The introduction of intravesical chemotherapy has provided a means by which the diathesis could be satisfactorily controlled in many instances. Within this context, we present three cases, two of which demonstrate the occasional inexorable progression of neoplasia despite a variety of approaches in intravesical chemotherapy, and the third of which documents the efficacy of the same treatments. Taken together, it is clear that the variety of forms in which carcinoma in situ can present may say something about the propensity of the disease to progress or to remain in a stable form. In the former case, introduction of intravesical chemotherapy may be a futile exercise. In the latter, its introduction may provide an effective means by which the disease progression can be controlled.
The Geometric Series in Calculus

(1998). The Geometric Series in Calculus. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 105, No. 1, pp. 36-40.
Ultrastructure of the attachment device between coccal and filamentous microorganisms in “corn cob” formations of dental plaque

Abstract Dental plaque was collected on epoxy resin crowns inserted in the mouth of human volunteers for periods of 1–21 days. Cocci were found to be attached to the outer surface of filamentous organisms in formations resembling “corn cobs”. These formations were first noted in 3-day old plaque. A highly organized capsule-like attachment device, apparently of coccal origin, 80–100 nm thick, connected the cocci to the filaments. From their ultrastructure, the cocci and filaments appeared to belong to different genera. This information obtained by transmission electron microscopy, complements previously published data obtained by others using light and scanning electron microscopy.
Theory of cavity-polariton self-trapping and optical strain in polymer chains

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824(Dated: February 6, 2008)We consider a semiconductor polymer chain coupled to a single electromagnetic mode in a cavity.The excitations of the chain have a mixed exciton-photon character and are described as polaritons.Polaritons are coupled to the lattice by the deformation potential interaction and can propagatein the chain. We ﬁnd that the presence of optical excitation in the polymer induces strain on thelattice. We use a BCS variational wavefunction to calculate the chemical potential of the polaritonsas a function of their density. We analyze ﬁrst the case of a short chain with only two unit cells inorder to check the validity of our variational approach. In the case of a long chain and for a strongcoupling with the lattice, the system undergoes a phase transition corresponding to the self-trappingof polaritons. The role of the exciton spontaneous emission and cavity damping are discussed in thecase of homogeneous optical lattice strain.I. INTRODUCTION
Target localization in moving radar platform exploiting range and Doppler information through semidefinite relaxation

Moving radar platforms form synthetic apertures for effective target localization. One of the important target localization techniques is to multilaterate the position of a target based on the own positions of the radar and the range estimates obtained at each radar position. In practical applications, the radar positions as well as the range estimates are subject to error due to maneuvering, timing error, as well as measurement noise. Previous works have shown that, by incorporating the semidefinite relaxation techniques which permit the use of convex optimization approaches to solve a large class of nonconvex estimation problems, improved target location estimates can be achieved over those obtained from conventional techniques, such as least square methods. In some radar applications, on the other hand, it may be advantageous to incorporate the Doppler measurements. Doppler frequency information is often complementary to range measurements in target localization and is particularly helpful when range information alone does not provide satisfactory target localization performance. In this paper, we consider the problem of target localization based on both range and Doppler estimates obtained at multiple radar locations, where such information as well as the radar locations are subject to certain random errors. Semidefinite relaxation is applied to formulate convex solutions for this problem. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate performance improvement by utilizing both range and Doppler estimates.
Evidence for environmental factors in the etiology of Hodgkin's disease.

HODGKIN’S DISEASE is classified as a malignant disease of the lymphoreticular system. Mounting evidence suggests that one or a combination of environmental factors may play a role in the etiology of this disease, be they infectious, man-made or otherwise. This is perhaps not surprising considering that environmental factors are responsible for aImost all of those cancers for which the etiology is known. With Hodgkin’s disease the immediate challenge is to pursue some important new leads in an attempt to determine those environmental factors which may be responsible for it. This is a review of the evidence that environmental factors are important in the etiology of Hodgkin’s disease with some comments regarding implications for future studies.
tert-Butylation of pyridines, quinolines, and isoquinolines by tert-butylmercury halides

Photolysis of tert-butylmercury halides with pyridinium or quinolinium salts leads to alkylation via the intermediacy of adduct radical cations. With simple pyridines or the 2-adducts from quinolines, the radical cations readily lose a proton to form a substituted pyridinyl radical which is easily oxidized by the alkylmercury halide. Addition of t-Bu . at the 4-position of the quinolinium ions, the 1-position of the isoquinolinium ions, or the 9-position of the acridinium ions, yields in the presence of K1 the dihydro derivatives formed via electron transfer to the adduct radical cation from I - or its ate-complex with the tert-butylmercury halide
The U.S. information sector and GNP: An input-output study

Abstract The paper presents the results of an Input-Output study of the U.S. information sector, constructed from 1972 tables compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The study updates the 1967 transaction table published in The Information Economy (U.S. Department of Commerce, 1977). The results show that between 1967 and 1972, the information sector grew at a slightly slower rate than did the entire economy. While the sector accounted for 25.1% GNP in 1967, its share of GNP had actually declined to 24.8% by 1972. Many of the elements of the sector lagged behind the national economy, including printing and publishing and radio and TV equipment; however, other elements of the sector out-paced the economy, including electronic instruments and telecommunications.
Burden of disease from atrial fibrillation in adults from seven countries in Latin America

BACKGROUND While some international studies have published epidemiologic overviews of atrial fibrillation (AF) for the Latin America region, detailed data at the national level are lacking. The aim of this study was to estimate the burden of disease and morbidity associated with AF in adults over 40 years of age in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. METHODS National health care system databases for each country in the analysis were used to identify cases of AF during 2010 based on ICD-10 codes. Patient comorbidities and treatment patterns in each country were assessed based on available data and extrapolation from relevant published information where local data were incomplete or unavailable. The prevalence of AF in each country was estimated using country-specific, national census data, and assumptions based on a review of the available literature. RESULTS Patients in outpatient or hospital care represented over half of the estimated total cases of AF, of whom around 60% were treated as outpatients. Across the seven countries analyzed, 74.5% of AF cases were adults ≥60 years old. However, with increasing age, the proportion of individuals with AF receiving treatment within the national health care systems decreased overall across all seven countries. The most commonly reported comorbidities associated with AF included arterial hypertension (51%-57%), heart failure (14.5%-30%), diabetes (12%-36.5%), and stroke (3%-12.7%). CONCLUSION This epidemiologic survey quantifies the scale of the challenge posed by AF to the various national health care systems in Latin America. Overall, ambulatory patients in the national health care systems carry a high risk of developing a stroke, yet a significant proportion of these patients do not receive appropriate anticoagulant therapy.
Phrase-based correction model for improving handwriting recognition accuracies

We propose a method for increasing word recognition accuracies by correcting the output of a handwriting recognition system. We treat the handwriting recognizer as a black box, such that there is no access to its internals. This enables us to keep our algorithm general and independent of any particular system. We use a novel method for correcting the output based on a ''phrase-based'' system in contrast to traditional source-channel models. We report the accuracies of two in-house handwritten word recognizers before and after the correction. We achieve highly encouraging results for a large synthetically generated dataset. We also report results for a commercially available OCR on real data.
Disaster logistics in small island developing states: Caribbean perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the current state of disaster logistics among Caribbean small island developing states that are Caribbean Community (CARICOM) members, and, based on those findings propose a coherent logistics framework that could influence the development of a robust system that can effectively respond to disasters in the region. Design/methodology/approach – Consisted of a series of in-depth interviews with national and regional disaster managers in the Caribbean. Secondary sources augmented the interviews. Data analysis conformed to Pope, et al. guidelines for qualitative research. There are limitations to this approach, but, the lack of existing research on the region and the need for information on the topic justify the approach. Findings – The main findings show the lack of a coherent and integrated logistics strategy. Missing or weak components like transportation and distribution infrastructure, a procurement strategy, inadequate port facilities and insufficient hum...
Morphological differentiation of Betula (birch) pollen in northwest North America and its palaeoecological application

Lake sediments from arcto-boreal regions commonly contain abundant Betula pollen. However, palaeoenvironmental interpretations of Betula pollen are often ambiguous because of the lack of reliable morphological features to distinguish among ecologically distinct Betula species in western North America. We measured the grain diameters and pore depths of pollen from three tree-birch species (B. papyrifera, B. kenaica and B. neoalaskana ) and two shrub-birch species (B. glandulosa and B. nana ), and calculated the ratio of grain diameter to pore depth (D/P ratio). No statistical difference exists in all three parameters between the shrub-birch species or between two of the tree-birch species (B. kenaica and B. papyrifera ), and B. neoalaskana is intermediate between the shrub-birch and the other two tree- birch species. However, mean pore depth is significantly larger for the tree species than for the shrub spe- cies. In contrast, mean grain diameter cannot distinguish tree and shrub species. Mean D/P ratio separates tree and shrub species less clearly than pore depth, but this ratio can be used for verification. The threshold for distinguishing pollen of tree versus shrub birch lies at 2.55 mm and 8.30 for pore depth and D/P ratio, respectively. We applied these thresholds to the analysis of Betula pollen in an Alaskan lake-sediment core spanning the past 800 years. Results show that shrub birch increased markedly at the expense of tree birch during the 'Little Ice Age'; this pattern is not discernible in the profile of total birch pollen.
Understanding PACS Development in Context: The Case of China

This paper describes the evolution of picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) in China and identifies several obstacles to its development, including vendors' opportunism, hospital administrators' IT ignorance, mindlessness in IT adoption, lack of system integration, and misfits between foreign PACS and local hospitals. Lessons learned from these obstacles are provided, which are of value to developing countries where PACS has just started diffusing
Animating the Sacred, Sentient and Spiritual in Post-Humanist and Material Geographies

Materialist and post-humanist scholarship within the discipline has opened up exciting philosophical and theoretical possibilities with which to understand both human and nonhuman worlds. Yet, recent scholarship has been critical of the modern secular tendencies within this approach especially in its lack of engagement with sacred, sentient, and spiritual accounts and experiences. This review draws on perspectives from literary fiction, the subfields of indigenous and religious geographies and disciplines like anthropology, religious studies, and post-colonial studies to highlight these absences and spaces for meaningful engagement.
Distributed Spectrum Sensing for Cognitive Radio Networks by Exploiting Sparsity

A cooperative approach to the sensing task of wireless cognitive radio (CR) networks is introduced based on a basis expansion model of the power spectral density (PSD) map in space and frequency. Joint estimation of the model parameters enables identification of the (un)used frequency bands at arbitrary locations, and thus facilitates spatial frequency reuse. The novel scheme capitalizes on two forms of sparsity: the first one introduced by the narrow-band nature of transmit-PSDs relative to the broad swaths of usable spectrum; and the second one emerging from sparsely located active radios in the operational space. An estimator of the model coefficients is developed based on the Lasso algorithm to exploit these forms of sparsity and reveal the unknown positions of transmitting CRs. The resultant scheme can be implemented via distributed online iterations, which solve quadratic programs locally (one per radio), and are adaptive to changes in the system. Simulations corroborate that exploiting sparsity in CR sensing reduces spatial and frequency spectrum leakage by 15 dB relative to least-squares (LS) alternatives.
Aortic Coarctation Endarteritis in an Adult: Case Report with Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Review of the Literature

We describe a case of coarctation endarteritis in an adult and review the literature pertaining to this condition. Adult coarctation endarteritis is a rare entity but often represents the initial presentation of coarctation. Diagnosis is critically important given the risk of rupture. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful in management.
A transactional approach to preventing early childhood neglect: The Family Check-Up as a public health strategy

This study examined the hypothesis that a brief, strengths-based home visiting strategy can promote positive engagement between caregiver and child and thereby reduce various forms of early childhood neglect. A total of 731 low-income families receiving services through the Women, Infants, and Children nutritional supplement program were randomized to the Women, Infants, and Children as usual or the Family Check-Up intervention. Assessments and intervention services were delivered in the home environment at ages 2, 3, 4, and 5. During the assessments, staff videotaped caregiver-child interactions and rated various features of the home environment, including the physical appropriateness of the home setting for children. Trained observers later coded the videotapes, unaware of the family's intervention condition. Specific caregiver-child interaction patterns were coded and macroratings were made of the caregiver's affection, monitoring, and involvement with the child. An intention to treat design revealed that randomization to the Family Check-Up increased duration of positive engagement between caregivers and children by age 3, which in turn was prognostic of less neglect of the child at age 4, controlling for family adversity. It was also found that family adversity moderated the impact of the intervention, such that the families with the most adverse circumstances were highly responsive to the intervention. Families with the highest levels of adversity exhibited the strongest mediation between positive engagement and reduction of neglect. Findings are discussed with respect to developmental theory and their potential implications for a public health approach to the prevention of early childhood maltreatment.
Real-time 3D image visualization system for digital video on a single chip

Implementation of a real-time image visualization system on a reconfigurable chip (FPGA) is proposed. The system utilizes an innovative stereoscopic image capture, processing and visualization technique. Implementation is done as a two stage process. In the first stage, the stereo pair is captured using two image sensors. The captured images are then synchronized and sent to the second stage for fusion. A controller module is developed, designed, and placed on the FPGA for this purpose. The second stage is used for reconstruction and visualization of the 3D image. An innovative technique employing dual-processor architecture on the same single FPGA is developed for this purpose. The whole system is placed on a single PCB resulting in a fast processing time and the ability to view 3D video in real-time. The system is simulated, implemented, and tested on real images. Results show that this system is a low cost solution for efficient 3D video visualization using a single chip
In vitro evaluation of the effect of a novel immunosuppressive agent, FTY720, on the function of feline neutrophils

Objective—To use in vitro assays to evaluate the effects of a novel immunosuppressive agent, FTY720, on biological functions (migration, phagocytosis, and production of reactive-oxygen species [ROS]) of feline peripheral neutrophils and determine the cytotoxic effects of FTY720 on feline peripheral neutrophils. Sample Population—Peripheral neutrophils obtained from 8 healthy cats. Procedure—Peripheral neutrophils were isolated from blood samples obtained from the 8 cats and exposed to the phosphorylated form of FTY720 (FTY720-P). A fluorescence-based in vitro evaluation of migration was performed. Phagocytosis of microbes and production of ROS were evaluated by use of a 2-color flow cytometry system. Samples of whole blood obtained from the cats were incubated with various concentrations of FTY720-P, fluorescein-labeled Staphylococcus aureus, and dihydroethidium. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated by use of propidium iodide staining. Results—Addition of FTY720-P caused a slight non-significant decrease in p...
Treatment of Unstable Simple Elbow Dislocations

The elbow is the second most common joint dislocation in adults, with the shoulder being the most common. The annual incidence of elbow dislocation is 6.1/100,000. Elbow dislocations make up 10–25 % of all injuries to the elbow. Most elbow dislocations are stable after closed reduction, and treatment should consist of early range of motion. However, there is a small subset of simple elbow dislocations that are not stable after closed reduction and require operative treatment for stability and function. In an unstable simple elbow dislocation, the elbow joint is not congruent or subluxes after reduction, or requires more than a 45° extension block to maintain reduction. This is often due to interposed soft tissues or alternatively to ligamentous instability. Isolated elbow dislocation without any osseous lesions causes chronic instability in only 2 % of cases and is usually treated nonoperatively with early range of motion, while most fracture-dislocations require surgical treatment.
Democracy Without Citizens: Media and the Decay of American Politics

This is an analysis of the failure of the interaction between the news media and their audiences to create the democratic potential everyone assumes occurs with such interaction. Drawing illustrations mainly from the Carter and Reagan years, the book shows the dilemma facing the news media and their audience today. The book offers a portrait of citizenship in America, defined by the public's changing levels of political knowledge and participation from 1952 to 1984. Politically unsophisticated, the mass audience prefers simple, symbolic news, which means that journalists can offer little of the detached, detailed explorations of policy issues that would provide the public with the information needed to hold government to close account.
Planetary accretion in the inner Solar System

Abstract Unlike gas-giant planets, we lack examples of terrestrial planets orbiting other Sun-like stars to help us understand how they formed. We can draw hints from elsewhere though. Astronomical observations of young stars; the chemical and isotopic compositions of Earth, Mars and meteorites; and the structure of the Solar System all provide clues to how the inner rocky planets formed. These data have inspired and helped to refine a widely accepted model for terrestrial planet formation—the planetesimal hypothesis. In this model, the young Sun is surrounded by a disk of gas and fine dust grains. Grains stick together to form mountain-size bodies called planetesimals. Collisions and gravitational interactions between planetesimals combine to produce a few tens of Moon-to-Mars-size planetary embryos in roughly 0.1–1 million years. Finally, the embryos collide to form the planets in 10–100 million years. One of these late collisions probably led to the formation of Earth's Moon. This basic sequence of events is clear, but a number of issues are unresolved. In particular, we do not really understand the physics of planetesimal formation, or how the planets came to have their present chemical compositions. We do not know why Mars is so much smaller than Earth, or exactly what prevented a planet from forming in the asteroid belt. Progress is being made in all of these areas, although definitive answers may have to wait for observations of Earth-like planets orbiting other stars.
Analysis of match–mismatch between commercial fishing periods and spawning ecology of Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis), based on winter surveys and behavioural data from electronic archival tags

The fishery for halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) in the eastern Pacific is closed during the boreal winter, roughly corresponding to the seasonal spawning of the species. Opening and closing dates for each season are stipulated annually based on economics and biology. Historical surveys and data from electronic tags are analysed to assess the extent to which recent closures have encompassed the annual spawning cycle of the species, as defined by migration to offshore spawning sites, active spawning, and return to feeding areas. These were assessed by calculating mean maximum daily depth profiles for fish exhibiting seasonal migration, calculating the date-specific proportions of the tagged population either migrating to or resident on their feeding or spawning grounds, and examining the temporal distribution of spent and running fish in historical surveys along with evidence of spawning contained in high-resolution tag data. The data indicate that fishery closures over the past 20 years have been consistently too short to protect the entirety of a migration period that begins as early as September and is not substantially completed until May. Additionally, some recent season openings have encroached on the active spawning season. Failure to fully protect spawning migrations may allow seasonal interception fisheries, and the selective removal of early and late spawners could cause changes in stock demographics, restrict effective spawning, and influence long-term stock productivity, especially in the face of environmental variability.
High Temperature Thermoelectric Properties of Nano-Bulk Silicon and Silicon Germanium

Point defect scattering via the formation of solid solutions to reduce the lattice thermal conductivity has been an effective method for increasing ZT in state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials such as Si-Ge, Bi2Te3-Sb2Te3 and PbTe-SnTe. However, increases in ZT are limited by a concurrent decrease in charge carrier mobility values. The search for effective methods for decoupling electronic and thermal transport led to the study of low dimensional thin film and wire structures, in particular because scattering rates for phonons and electrons can be better independently controlled. While promising results have been achieved on several material systems, integration of low dimensional structures into practical power generation devices that need to operate across large temperature differential is extremely challenging. We present achieving similar effects on the bulk scale via high pressure sintering of doped and undoped Si and Si-Ge nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are prepared via techniques that include high energy ball milling of the pure elements. The nanostructure of the materials is confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Thermal conductivity measurements on the densified pellets show a drastic 90% reduction in the lattice contribution at room temperature when compared to doped single crystal Si. Additionally, Hall effect measurements show a much more limited degradation in the carrier mobility. The combination of low thermal conductivity and high power factor in heavily doped n-type nanostructured bulk Si leads to an unprecedented increase in ZT at 1275 K by a factor of 3.5 over that of single crystalline samples. Experimental results on both n-type and p-type Si are discussed in terms of the impact of the size distribution of the nanoparticles, doping impurities and nanoparticle synthesis processes.
Symbolic dynamic analysis of surface deformation during fatigue crack initiation

This rapid communication addresses early detection of fatigue damage evolution in polycrystalline alloys, based on the observation of surface deformation (e.g. roughness, linings and incisions). This method is well suited for calibration of other model-based and experimental tools for damage analysis and prediction in the fatigue crack initiation phase. To this end, the existing theory of symbolic dynamics-based feature extraction from time-series data is extended to the analysis of two-dimensional surface images. The resulting algorithms are experimentally validated on a fatigue-testing machine and a surface interferometer in the laboratory environment. The experiments have been conducted for analysis of statistical changes in the surface profiles due to gradual evolution of deformation in specimens, made of the 2024-T6 aluminum alloy.
Efficient techniques for dynamic test sequence compaction

Dynamic test sequence compaction is an effective means of reducing test application time and often results in higher fault coverages and reduced test generation time as well. Three simulation-based techniques for dynamic compaction of test sequences are described. The first technique uses a fault simulator to remove test vectors from the test sequence generated by a test generator if the vectors are not needed to detect the target fault, considering that the circuit state may be known. The second technique uses genetic algorithms to fill the unspecified bits in a partially-specified test sequence in order to increase the number of faults detected by the sequence. The third technique uses test sequences provided by the test generator as seeds in a genetic algorithm, and better sequences are evolved that detect more faults. Significant improvements in test set size, fault coverage, and test generation time have been obtained over previous approaches using combinations of the three techniques.
Cutting Edge: Ectopic Expression of the Chemokine TCA4/SLC Is Sufficient to Trigger Lymphoid Neogenesis

To test whether accumulation of naive lymphocytes is sufficient to trigger lymphoid development, we generated mice with islet expression of the chemokine TCA4/SLC. This chemokine is specific for naive lymphocytes and mature dendritic cells (DC) which express the CCR7 receptor. Islets initially developed accumulations of T cells with DC, with scattered B cells at the perimeter. These infiltrates consolidated into organized lymphoid tissue, with high endothelial venules and stromal reticulum. Infiltrate lymphocytes showed a naive CD44low CD25- CD69- phenotype, though half were CD62L negative. When backcrossed to RAG-1 knockout, DC were not recruited. Interestingly, islet lymphoid tissue developed in backcrosses to Ikaros knockout mice despite the absence of normal peripheral nodes. Our results indicate that TCA4/SLC can induce the development and organization of lymphoid tissue through diffential recruitment of T and B lymphocytes and secondary effects on stromal cell development.
Variegated Expression of Hsp22 Transgenic Reporters Indicates Cell-specific Patterns of Aging in Drosophila Oenocytes

The cytoplasmic chaperone gene Hsp70 and the mitochondrial chaperone gene Hsp22 are upregulated during normal aging in Drosophila in tissue-general patterns. In addition, Hsp22 reporters are dramatically upregulated during aging in a subset of the oenocytes (liver-like cells). Hsp22 reporter expression varied dramatically between individual oenocytes and between groups of oenocytes located in adjacent body segments, and was negatively correlated with accumulation of age pigment, indicating cell-specific and cell-lineage-specific patterns of oenocyte aging. Conditional transgenic systems were used to express 88 transgenes to search for trans-regulators of the Hsp70 and Hsp22 reporters during aging. The wingless gene increased tissue-general upregulation of both Hsp70 and Hsp22 reporters. In contrast, the mitochondrial genes MnSOD and Hsp22 increased expression of Hsp22 reporters in the oenocytes and decreased accumulation of age pigment in these cells. The data suggest that cell-specific and cell lineage–specific patterns of mitochondrial malfunction contribute to oenocyte aging.
Aliasing analysis of spectral statistical response compaction techniques

We present aliasing models for statistical response compacters (SRCs) for built-in self-testing (BIST) (Khan and Bushnell, 2004). The SRCs are drastically different from the conventional multiple-input signature register (MISR), and use the signal processing Hadamard transform to extract the digital spectral content in output bit streams of circuits and store it in counters. Any deviation of the spectral content from the good machine spectral content indicates a fault. We use the asymmetric error model (AEM) (Xavier et al., 1992) to describe the behavior of a response compacter for a faulty circuit-under-test (CUT). We construct Markov processes for the aliasing models of the response compacters, which have never been studied. The Markov processes iteratively compute exact aliasing probabilities for any test session length and determine the asymptotic probability of aliasing for statistical response compactor 1 (SRC1). Other compacters (SRC2 and SRC5) have too many Markov process states and formulating exact aliasing probability equations is infeasible. So, we present only the asymptotic aliasing probability results, which converge to very low values rapidly. SRC1 does not alias at all on the ISCAS '89 benchmarks, but SRC2 and 5 alias occasionally. The model agrees with previously published simulations (Khan and Bushnell, 2004).
Joint optimization of excitation parameters in analysis-by-synthesis speech coders having multi-tap long term predictor

Codebook searches in analysis-by-synthesis speech coders typically involve minimization of a perceptually weighted squared error signal. Minimization of the error over multiple codebooks is often done in a sequential manner, resulting in the choice of overall excitation parameters being sub-optimal. In this paper, we propose a joint excitation parameter optimization framework in which the associated complexity is slightly greater than the traditional sequential optimization, but with significant quality improvement. Moreover, the framework allows joint optimization to be easily incorporated into existing pulse codebook systems with little or no impact on the codebook search algorithms. This technique is part of the 3GPP2 source-controlled variable-rate multimode wideband speech codec (VMR-WB) rate set 1 standard.
Frameless image-guided stereotactic brain biopsy procedure: diagnostic yield, surgical morbidity, and comparison with the frame-based technique.

Object. The gold standard for stereotactic brain biopsy target localization has been frame-based stereotaxy. Recently, frameless stereotactic techniques have become increasingly utilized. Few authors have evaluated this procedure, analyzed preoperative predictors of diagnostic yield, or explored the differences in diagnostic yield and morbidity rate between the frameless and frame-based techniques. Methods. A consecutive series of 110 frameless and 160 frame-based image-guided stereotactic biopsy procedures was reviewed. Associated variables for both techniques were reviewed and compared. All stereotactic biopsy procedures were included in a risk factor analysis of nondiagnostic biopsy sampling. Frameless stereotaxy led to a diagnostic yield of 89%, with a total permanent morbidity rate of 6% and a mortality rate of 1%. Larger lesions were fivefold more likely to yield diagnostic tissues. Deep-seated lesions were 2.7-fold less likely to yield diagnostic tissues compared with cortical lesions. Frameless compared with frame-based stereotactic biopsy procedures showed no significant differences in diagnostic yield or transient or permanent morbidity. For cortical lesions, more than one needle trajectory was required more frequently to obtain diagnostic tissues with frame-based as opposed to frameless stereotaxy, although this factor was not associated with morbidity. Conclusions. With regard to diagnostic yield and complication rate, the frameless stereotactic biopsy procedure was found to be comparable to or better than the frame-based method. Smaller and deep-seated lesions together were risk factors for a nondiagnostic tissue yield. Frameless stereotaxy may represent a more efficient means of obtaining biopsy specimens of cortical lesions but is otherwise similar to the frame-based technique.
A Simulation Model of Katouzian's Theory of Arbitrary State and Society

This paper represents an initial effort to model the volatile behavior of Iran's socio-political-economic system. More specifically, Homa Katouzian's theory of Iranian political economy—a well-established descriptive theory of Iran's unstable economic development—is translated into a system dynamics model, tested for internal consistency, and used for policy analysis. Simulation results confirm Katouzian's claim that periodic episodes of significant arbitrary power are key to understanding the historically less-than-optimal behavior of the Iranian socioeconomic system. They also confirm the significance of oil revenue, economic sanctions, and civil resistance on Iranian economic development. Of note is that experimentation with the model reveals that educational policies that generate increased respect for the law by Iranian citizens can significantly improve the behavior of the Iranian socioeconomic system. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research.
Lilies at the limit: Variation in plant-pollinator interactions across an elevational range

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Many studies assume climatic factors are paramount in determining species' distributions, however, biotic interactions may also play a role. For example, pollinators may limit species' ranges if floral abundance or floral attractiveness is reduced at range margins, thus causing lower pollinator visitation and reduced reproductive output. METHODS To test if pollinators influence the altitudinal distribution of Erythronium montanum (Liliaceae) at Mount Rainier National Park, we asked whether (1) seed production in this species relies on pollinators, (2) seed production and pollen limitation is greatest at range limits, and (3) pollinator visitation rates (either overall or by individual taxonomic groups) reflect patterns of seed production and pollen limitation. RESULTS From this three-year study, we established that this plant does rely on pollinators for fruit set and we found that pollen limitation trended toward being higher at the upper range limit in some years, but not consistently year to year. Insect visitation rates did not mirror spatial patterns of pollen limitation, but annually variable pollinator composition suggested differential importance of some pollinator taxonomic groups (specifically, bumblebees may be better pollinators than syrphid flies). CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results suggest that while pollinators are critical for the reproductive success of this high mountain wildflower, plant-pollinator interactions do not obviously drive the distribution of this species. Nonetheless, high spatio-temporal variability in range-wide plant-pollinator dynamics may complicate responses to climate change.
The Practice: 'Wal-Mart' Notable for Rulings on Evidentiary Issues

Commentary and analysis of the Supreme Court’s June 2011 decision in Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes, with a focus on the Court’s discussion of various evidentiary issues raised during the trial court’s conduct of class certification proceedings. The Wal-Mart litigation, embracing the largest gender-based employment discrimination brought by female Wal-Mart employees against the country’s largest employer, garnered extensive media coverage that largely addressed on the underlying merits of the alleged discrimination claims. However, somewhat overlooked in analysis of the Court’ opinion was the majority’s discussion of evidentiary issues implicated in the class certification decision. Although the Court’s analysis centered on the failure of the class proponents to satisfy Rule 23(a) threshold commonality requirement, the Court also addressed various issues relating to the offers of proof in support and opposition to the class certification. In particular, the Court addressed the sufficiency of the expert witness testimony of a sociologist proffered by the plaintiffs in support of certification, and opposed by Wal-Mart. Significantly, although the Court did not directly decide the issue, the Court obliquely suggested that Daubert hearings to evaluate the reliability of expert witness testimony might be appropriate at class certification hearings. Hence, the Court left open the question of whether trials courts must exercise their Daubert gatekeeping function as part of class certification proceedings. In addition, the Court also addressed issues relating to the use of statistical evidence to support a showing of classwide gender discrimination, as well as the use of anecdotal testimony for the same purpose. In both instance, the Court eschewed the type of evidence proffered by the plaintiffs. Therefore, the Court’s various rulings on evidentiary issues implicated in the Wal-Mart class certification may turn out to be as consequential as the Court’s central ruling on Rule 23(a) commonality requirement.
Distal Femoral Cortical Irregularity in Adult : MR Imaging and Pathologic Correlation

Purpose : To correlate the pathologic and MR findings of distal femoral cortical irregularity(DFCI) in adult. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively reviewed knee MR images of 120 adult patients(25-62 years old) without infection, tumor, or fracture. Five femoral specimens of adult cadaver were used to correlate patho-logic and MR findings. A ‘double cortical line ’on MR images was interpreted as DFCI, and MR findings were analyzed to determine the thickness, internal signal intensity, location of the DFCI, shape of the external cor-tex, and clarity of the inner cortex. The outer cortex was classified as either convex or flat, and the inner cortex was classified according to its thickness and continuity as one of three types. Results : One hundred and sixteen patients(97%) had DFCI, which in all cases was observed at the attach-ment site of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. Mean thickness was 3.7mm and DFCI was thicker in men than in women(p
Quasiclassical Trajectory Calculations of the Dissociation Dynamics of CH3CHO at High Energy Yield Many Products

We present a quasiclassical trajectory study of the photodissociation of CH3CHO using a global ab initio-based potential energy surface. Calculations are performed at a total energy of 160 kcal/mol...
Variations in Adolescent Disclosure Among Latinas

This study examines attitudes toward adolescent disclosure among a diverse sample of Latina adolescents. Using ecological and acculturation frameworks, this qualitative, exploratory study analyzes responses from 18 Latina adolescents to open-ended, semi-structured questions from the National Study of Youth and Religion on family relationships, morality, and religion, to explore disclosure attitudes. Results suggest high disclosure to mothers, particularly by Latinas from low-income and religiously congruent families. Fathers' long work hours and singular religiosity thwart disclosure to them, and family structure, migration, and nativity influence whether adolescent Latinas disclose information to parents. Latino cultural values of respeto and marianismo did not emerge as salient themes. A common theme among participants was a desire for closer, open relationships with parents to enable disclosure of important occurrences in their lives.