cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is modified radical mastectomy really equivalent to radical mastectomy in treatment of carcinoma of the breast

Evaluation of any therapeutic modality for carcinoma of the breast requires prolonged follow-up. Between 1965 and 1968, 870 women with primary unilateral breast cancer were treated surgically at our institution. To achieve a study group that could be meaningfully analyzed, the authors identified and excluded all patients with pre-existing life-threatening disease, incomplete (palliative) operation, multiple lesions, or fixed lesions. There remained 530 patients (322 treated with radical and 208 treated with modified radical mastectomy). No overall statistical difference in 5-year survival to death from breast cancer was noted between the radical (82.1%) and the modified radical (87.0%) mastectomy group. Recently, the authors updated that series, now with 10 to 16 years of follow-up (minimum, 10 years). Two hundred eighty-one patients were alive at 10 years. The 10-year survival from breast cancer after radical (74.5%) and modified radical (74.2%) mastectomy was almost identical. The 10-year node-negative survival was 86.0% and the node-positive survival was 56.3% (P = 0.0001). Results were compared according to age, tumor site, absolute number of involved nodes, histologic features, grade, size, and adjuvant treatment. A numeric combination of these variables was constructed and used as a prognostic score. These results suggest that, with equal long-term efficacy in the treatment of breast cancer, the cosmetically and functionally superior modified radical mastectomy should remain the procedure of choice in the surgical treatment of carcinoma of the breast.
Defining Mobile Television: The Social Construction and Deconstruction of New and Old Media

This article explores the circumstances surrounding the launch of mobile television services in the United States during the early 2000s. It draws on Rick Altman's method of crisis historiography to contextualize the fragmentation of mobile television's technologies and the confusion that this fragmentation has bred amongst consumers, industry professionals, analysts, and academics. To examine mobile television's “identity crisis,” I trace how this identity crisis has impacted and has been impacted by changing conceptions of the identities of the two media that mobile television endeavors to merge: the cellular phone and television. Based on this case study, I argue that the identity crises that accompany the arrivals of new media technologies do not take place in isolation, but rather have consequences that influence our attitudes toward and engagements with other, more established media.
Robust Control and Stability Analysis of Fuzzy Large-Scale Systems

This paper investigates the stability and stabilization problems for a class of fuzzy large-scale system whose state variables are unavailable. T-S fuzzy model are utilized to approximate the nonlinear system, and an observer-based output-feedback controller is designed, some sufficient conditions of the closed loop system are derived based on Lyapunov function and in terms of a linear matrix inequality problem (LMIP).
Numerical Analysis of Temperature Distribution at the Lip Seal-Shaft Interface

A numerical model has been developed to investigate thermal effects at the lip seal shaft interface. The thermal Reynolds, film thickness, and energy equations with appropriate boundary conditions were discretized according to the control volume finite difference approach and solved using the multi grid multilevel technique. The pressure distribution at the lip seal shaft interface for both isothermal and thermal cases are obtained. The temperature effects on leakage rates are obtained for various operating conditions. The results indicate that temperature effects within the film are significant and increase the side leakage rate as compared to the isothermal case.
Optical Absorption and Energy Loss in Sodium in the Hartree Approximation

A general formalism for phonon-induced optical absorption in metals is derived. It has been applied to solid sodium. The lattice of sodium is approximated by a single reciprocal-lattice point. Its lattice wave number $G$ is somewhat greater than $2{K}_{F}$, the Fermi wave number. The energy-loss function of such an electron gas corresponding to a wave vector q has been calculated. For intermediate q with direction around G, the response function of a noninteracting electron gas has a gap in the continuum. As a result, in the presence of electron-electron Coulomb interactions, a new collective state and a redistribution of the energy-loss function have been found in the vicinity of the gap. The deviation of the phonon-induced optical absorption of sodium from the Drude theory has been calculated by using this energy-loss function and also taking into account the umklapp process. Conventional calculations have only taken into account the effects of single-particle excitations, and have neglected the collective states and the redistribution of the energy-loss functions, which are essential to the optical absorption. We find our results are qualitatively different from those of conventional calculations. But our results show that the effects are too small to explain the anomaly appearing in the infrared absorption of sodium.
Process Evaluation of Teaching Forgiveness in a Workshop and Classroom Setting

Abstract Forgiveness is a process that assists people in releasing their anger, resentment, and negative emotions towards those who have hurt them. This study reports a process evaluation of a psychoeducational workshop and classroom adaptation designed to teach students about forgiveness. We describe the workshop's content, process, and resources in detail. Participants were assessed before, during, and after the workshop across five process areas. The results indicate that the forgiveness workshop and classroom intervention were effective in teaching forgiveness skills, were emotionally challenging, and difficult for some participants because of their pain, confusion, and unanswered questions. We conclude with specific recommendations for improving forgiveness workshops and classroom interventions.
Statistics of Multiple Particle Breakage Accounting for Particle Shape

A method is presented for developing multiple particle breakage distribution functions that include the shape factor, as well as the particle size. The technique is to first develop a joint probability distribution that accounts for the size and shape factor of each child particle. This is then reduced by successive integration to the marginal probability used in the breakage equation. This technique guarantees mass conservation and exchangeability of child particles while allowing the user to choose the number of child particles formed per breakage. It also allows the user to choose the functional form for the size distribution of particles as well as independently choosing the functional form for the shape factor distribution of particles. To solve the breakage equation, a discretization method is used that conserves particle mass during breakage and correctly predicts changes in the total number of particles. Simulation results show that the shape distribution functions may yield distinguishable shape factor profiles after crushing. Comparison with experimental data indicates that these theoretical functions can be used to model real systems. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 937–952, 2004
The system CaOSiO2CO2H2O. II—The petrogenetic model

Abstract In each of the three isobaric invariant reactions below 900° C on the vapor-saturated liquidus surface of the system CaO-SiO 2 -CO 2 -H 2 O at 1 kilobar pressure, the vapor phase is extremely rich in H 2 O. The effect of adding H 2 O to the vapor phase on the temperatures of successive decarbonation reactions in the system CaO-SiO 2 -CO 2 (involving the formation of wollastonite, spurrite and dicalcium silicate) is illustrated in the petrogenetic model. At 1 kilobar pressure the primary fields of spurrite and calcite on the vapor-saturated liquidus surface are separated by a field boundary extending down to a peritectic at 677° C. Examination of the melting reactions and the decarbonation reactions plotted in the petrogenetic model shows that the latter intersect the former with increasing pressure, and the first result of this at pressures above 1 kilobar is that a primary field for wollastonite replaces the peritectic on the vapor-saturated liquidus surface. Then, calcite and wollastonite can be co-precipitated from a liquid down to temperatures below 700° C. Applications to carbonatites are discussed briefly. If an igneous intrusion gives off enough H 2 O during crystallization to flush CO 2 gas from the pores of a siliceous limestone in contact with it, partial melting of the limestone could conceivably occur. This possibility should be considered seriously in studies of thermal metamorphism.
On the sufficiency conditions for the stability of bone remodeling equilibrium

Abstract In this technical note a sufficiency condition is established for the stability of a strain-energy-based bone remodeling theory in the special case of a beam loaded by an axial force and a bending moment. In a previous report the same condition was shown to be a necessary condition for stability in the same situation. The remodeling scheme is one characterized by a remodeling stimulus equal to the strain energy density divided by the bulk or apparent density raised to an exponent m as well as an elastic modulus proportional to bulk or apparent density raised to an exponent n. In order for a remodeling scheme to be stable for an elastic beam loaded by an axial force and a bending moment, it is established that the condition that m must be greater than n is not only necessary, but also sufficient.
Simultaneous design of measurement and control strategies for stochastic systems with feedback

Abstract We consider stochastic dynamic decision problems where at each step two consecutive decisions must be taken, one being what information bearing signal(s) to transmit and the other what control action(s) to exert. For finite-horizon problems involving first-order ARMA models with Gaussian statistics and a quadratic cost criterion, we show that the optimal measurement strategy consists of transmitting the innovation linearly at each stage, which in turn leads to optimality of a linear control law. We then extend this result to infinite-horizon models with discounted costs, showing optimality of linear designs. Subsequently, we show that these appealing results do not necessarily carry over to higher order ARMA models, for which we first characterize the best designs within the affine class, and then derive instances of the problem for which there exist non-linear designs that outperform the optimal designs within the affine class. The paper also includes some illustrative numerical examples on the different classes of problems considered.
Spatial working memory in heavy cannabis users: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Many neuropsychological studies have documented deficits in working memory among recent heavy cannabis users. However, little is known about the effects of cannabis on brain activity. We assessed brain function among recent heavy cannabis users while they performed a working memory task. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine brain activity in 12 long-term heavy cannabis users, 6–36 h after last use, and in 10 control subjects while they performed a spatial working memory task. Regional brain activation was analyzed and compared using statistical parametric mapping techniques. Compared with controls, cannabis users exhibited increased activation of brain regions typically used for spatial working memory tasks (such as prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate). Users also recruited additional regions not typically used for spatial working memory (such as regions in the basal ganglia). These findings remained essentially unchanged when re-analyzed using subjects’ ages as a covariate. Brain activation showed little or no significant correlation with subjects’ years of education, verbal IQ, lifetime episodes of cannabis use, or urinary cannabinoid levels at the time of scanning. Recent cannabis users displayed greater and more widespread brain activation than normal subjects when attempting to perform a spatial working memory task. This observation suggests that recent cannabis users may experience subtle neurophysiological deficits, and that they compensate for these deficits by “working harder”—calling upon additional brain regions to meet the demands of the task.
Perceiving spatial relationships in computer-generated images

The sources of visual information that must be present to correctly interpret spatial relations in images, the relative importance of different visual information sources with regard to metric judgments of spatial relations in images, and the ways that the task in which the images are used affect the visual information's usefulness are discussed. Cue theory, which states that the visual system computes the distances of objects in the environment based on information from the posture of the eyes and from the patterns of light projected onto the retinas by the environment, is presented. Three experiments in which the influence of pictorial cues on perceived spatial relations in computer-generated images was assessed are discussed. Each experiment examined the accuracy with which subjects matched the position, orientation, and size of a test object with a standard by interactively translating, rotating, and scaling the test object. >
Mechanical damage of roots provides enhanced colonization of the wheat endorhizosphere by the dinitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain 2S9B.

When wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings are co-cultivated with Nostoc sp. strain 2S9B in hydroponics, the cyanobacterium colonizes the endorhizosphere at low frequency. Mild sonication of the roots dramatically increased the number of cyanobacteria within the root tissue. The cyanobacteria penetrated the roots in the form of motile filaments (hormogonia), and once inside, they divided and transformed into aseriate packages, which showed nitrogenase activity. Cyanobacteria were found in the intercellular spaces as well as inside the epidermal and cortex cells. By prolonging the sonication time the number of cyanobacterial packages inside the roots increased. However, after reaching a certain abundance the total cyanobacterial biomass within the roots did not change regardless of the sonication time. Besides sonication, other methods of root surface damage also brought about enhanced internal root colonization. Sonication of roots proved to be an efficient way of amplifying the internal root colonization by cyanobacteria and can be suggested as a method for creating a model system in non-legume plant-microbe studies.
Mesoscopic structure of neuronal tracts from time-dependent diffusion

Interpreting brain diffusion MRI measurements in terms of neuronal structure at a micrometer level is an exciting unresolved problem. Here we consider diffusion transverse to a bundle of fibers, and show theoretically, as well as using Monte Carlo simulations and measurements in a phantom made of parallel fibers mimicking axons, that the time dependent diffusion coefficient approaches its macroscopic limit slowly, in a (ln t)/t fashion. The logarithmic singularity arises due to short range disorder in the fiber packing. We identify short range disorder in axonal fibers based on histological data from the splenium, and argue that the time dependent contribution to the overall diffusion coefficient from the extra-axonal water dominates that of the intra-axonal water. This dominance may explain the bias in measuring axon diameters in clinical settings. The short range disorder is also reflected in the asymptotically linear frequency dependence of the diffusion coefficient measured with oscillating gradients, in agreement with recent experiments. Our results relate the measured diffusion to the mesoscopic structure of neuronal tissue, uncovering the sensitivity of diffusion metrics to axonal arrangement within a fiber tract, and providing an alternative interpretation of axonal diameter mapping techniques.
Fracture resistance development in ceramic composites with nonlinear fiber pullout relationship

This paper addresses the fracture resistance mechanism in fiber reinforced ceramics, and focuses attention on the specific effects associated with nonlinear nature of the fiber pullout mechanism. The model is based on a consideration of the representative boundary value problem typical for the bridging process. The theoretical solution includes an accurate account of the nonlinear fiber matrix friction. The developed approach allows consideration of several types of nonlinear fiber pullout-force dependence. The distinct features of the nonlinear process demonstrate that, contrary to the linear case, the universal fracture resistance curves cannot be developed in cases with significant nonlinear contribution in the fiber friction law. The resulting resistance curves depend strongly on the absolute values of the matrix fracture toughness. On the other hand, these distinct patterns may be used for identification of the particular friction law and determination of the friction parameters.
Search for Parity Nonconservation in the Associated Production Process

Author(s): Crawford, Frank S.; Cresti, Marcello; Good, Myron L.; Solmitz, Frank T.; Stevenson, M.Lynn.
Interacting watershed size and landcover influences on habitat and biota of Lake Superior coastal wetlands

Coastal wetlands are important contributors to large-lake productivity and biodiversity and mediators of lake—watershed interactions. This study explores whether the size of the watershed in which coastal wetlands are embedded (a measure of strength of connection to the terrestrial landscape) influences their background condition and response to anthropogenic landuse. Water quality, substrate, vegetation structure, and composition of zoobenthos, turtles, crayfish, and fish were characterized in 32 Lake Superior coastal wetlands in the summers of 2000–2001, and related to watershed size categories via ANOVA and to watershed development (percent agricultural and urban landuse) via linear regression. Lake Superior coastal wetlands had relatively low levels of watershed development – apparently not enough to significantly alter fish composition. However, watershed development was associated with significant changes in substrate, turbidity, plant structure, and zoobenthos, and in most cases these effects were ...
IBM SanFrancisco: moving into the marketplace

Two years ago, the IBM Systems Journal published an issue containing papers on the content and use of the IBM SanFranciscoTM product. Since that time we have seen changes: in the product, in how customers are using the product, and in the marketplace in general. This essay provides a brief review of some of these changes and introduces the papers in this issue related to the SanFrancisco theme.
Engines from continuations

Abstract Engines provide the means for a computation to be run for a limited period of time, interrupted if it does not complete in that time, and later restarted from the point of interruption. Previous work on engines demonstrated that engines can be implemented by defining a new interpreter to support them. This article demonstrates that engines may be defined in terms of continuations and timer interrupts and thereby incorporated into an existing language implementation. The article extends the engine mechanisms to solve several problems with nestable engines, and demonstrates that the extended mechanism can be implemented in terms of continuations as well.
A bioinformatics-inspired adaptation to Ukkonen's edit distance calculating algorithm

Edit distance measures the similarity between two strings (as the minimum number of change, insert or delete operations that transform one string to the other). An edit sequence s is a sequence of such operations and can be used to represent the string resulting from applyings to a reference string. We present a modification to Ukkonen's edit distance calculating algorithm based upon representing strings by edit sequences. We conclude with a demonstration of how using this representation can improve mitochondrial DNA query performance.
CePb3: A heavy fermion antiferromagnet that becomes superconducting in high magnetic fields

Abstract Specific heat, magnetoresistance and susceptibility data suggest that CePb3 is a heavy fermion antiferromagnet with a Neel temperature TN of 1.1 K and that it is a magnetic field induced superconductor in fields of ∼ 15 T. Non-monotonic TN and C/T behavior is observed as one alloys from CePb3 to CeIn3.
Rescue of a lethal T / t locus genotype by chimaerism with normal embryos

THE mutation THp at the T/t locus in the mouse is unique among mammalian genes because it has a sharply defined maternal effect. Like other known T/t locus dominant mutations, THp yields a short-tailed phenotype in heterozygotes of both sexes. However, THp/+ females when mated with wild type fail to give birth to short–tailed progeny; examination of embryos shows that heterozygous embryos die late in gestation with seemingly minor defects such as spina bifida and polydactyly1–3. The precise reason for death has not been determined, but must depend on some defect intrinsic to the egg, because THp/+ females successfully carry to term heterozygous embryos whose THp gene is paternally derived. I report here that lethal THp/+ maternal heterozygotes are readily rescued if they are aggregated with normal embryos, but that the germ cell defect persists, because the chimaeras fail, if female, to transmit THp to viable offspring.
Mechanisms of bronchopulmonary C-fiber hypersensitivity induced by cationic proteins.

Abstract Cationic proteins secreted by inflammatory cells infiltrating into the airways are known to cause mucosal injury and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Although an involvement of bronchopulmonary C-fiber afferents in the cationic protein-induced airway hyperresponsiveness has been suggested, direct electrophysiological evidence has not been established. Accordingly, a series of studies was recently carried out using the single-fiber recording technique to determine the responses of pulmonary C fibers to cationic proteins and to investigate the mechanisms possibly underlying these effects. Intratracheal instillation of either human eosinophil granule-derived cationic proteins or synthetic cationic proteins induced a sporadic but intense stimulatory effect on pulmonary C fibers and greatly enhanced the sensitivities of these afferents to both lung inflation and chemical stimuli in anesthetized rats. These responses developed slowly (latency: 20–40 s), reached peak in 2–10 min, then gradually declined. The effects of synthetic cationic proteins sustained for >60 min. When administered by intravenous injection or instilled into a different region of the lung, the same cationic proteins had no effect on the C-fiber endings, even at a higher dose. Furthermore, the stimulatory and sensitizing effects of these proteins were completely nullified when their cationic charges were neutralized with negatively charged heparin before delivery. However, heparin administered 5–10 min after the delivery of cationic proteins was ineffective in reversing the effects. In conclusion, intratracheal instillation of cationic proteins consistently induces intense stimulation and sensitization of pulmonary C fibers, and an interaction between the cationic charges carried by these proteins and the airway mucosa is probably responsible.
A wearable real-time BCI system based on mobile cloud computing

Pervasive and wearable brain-computer interface (BCI) systems show great potential for effectively understanding human mental activities and intentions in their daily life. In this paper, we propose a real-time BCI system based on mobile devices and cloud computing to detect and recognize the user's mental states. A proof-of-concept prototype is developed based on a wearable, commercially available EEG headset, an Android smartphone, and a multi-core computing server. We demonstrate an integrated Android app containing three built-in functional modules. Specifically, a graphical window can receive and display continuous EEG data acquired from the headset in a real-time manner; a facial expression interface can indicate the user's mental states according to the analysis of EEG data on the server; and a retrospective analysis tool to investigate the mental behaviors over a long period of time.
The children's developmental play instrument (CDPI): a validity study

This is a construct validity study of The Children's Developmental Play Instrument (CDPI), a multidimensional scale to measure play activity among mainstream children based on the psychoanalytic concepts of coping and defense strategies. The focus of this study is upon four play styles: Adaptive; Impulsive; Inhibited/Conflicted, and Disorganized. Ten-minute videotapes of 71 children between the ages of 1.3 and 6.1 years are analyzed using correlational analysis. Good to excellent reliability on this data set is established by Kappa ratings of two independent raters. Factor analysis of the data reveals three underlying clusters of variables corresponding to the following play styles; Adaptive; Impulsive/Disorganized; Conflicted/Inhibited. These results provide support for the construct validity of the CDPI and suggest the need for continued research. The CDPI has potential use as a tool for teachers, researchers and practitioners across professions. In addition, categories defined in the CDPI can be helpfu...
Implications of complex adaptive systems theory for the design of research on health care organizations.

Background Because health care organizations (HCOs) are complex adaptive systems (CASs), phenomena of interest often are dynamic and unfold in unpredictable ways, and unfolding events are often unique. Researchers of HCOs may recognize that the subject of their research is dynamic; however, their research designs may not take this into account. Researchers may also know that unfolding events are often unique, but their design may not have the capacity to obtain information from meager evidence. Purpose These two concerns led us to examine two ideas from organizational theory: (a) the ideas of K. E. Weick (1993) on organizational design as a verb and (b) the ideas of J. G. March, L. S. Sproull, and M. Tamuz (1991) on learning from samples of one or fewer. In this article, we applied these ideas to develop an enriched perspective of research design for studying CASs. Methodology/approach We conducted a theoretical analysis of organizations as CASs, identifying relevant characteristics for research designs. We then explored two ideas from organizational theory and discussed the implications for research designs. Findings Weick's idea of "design as a verb" helps in understanding dynamic and process-oriented research design. The idea of "learning from samples of one or fewer" of March, Sproull, and Tamuz provides strategies for research design that enables learning from meager evidence. When studying HCOs, research designs are likely to be more effective when they (a) anticipate change, (b) include tension, (c) capitalize on serendipity, and (d) use an "act-then-look" mind set. Implications for practice are discussed. Practice implications Practitioners who understand HCOs as CASs will be cautious in accepting findings from studies that treat HCOs mechanistically. They will consider the characteristics of CAS when evaluating the evidence base for practice. Practitioners can use the strategies proposed in this article to stimulate discussion with researchers seeking to conduct research in their HCO.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE SENSE OF TIME: FAILURE TO REPLICATE A 1904 STUDY

McDougall ( 1904), Yerkes and Urban ( 1906), and other early investigators reported sex differences in time estimation by human Ss, and more recent studies ( Loehlin, 1959) have reported no difference. This replication of McDougall's study followed his procedure as reported with the addition of more Ss and variables. Forty male and 78 female students in introductory psychology estimated four intervals (15, 30, 60, 90 sec.) under four conditions (listening to E read, crossing our 77zs, waiting, counting) by the method of verbal estimation at one of five sessions throughout the day. Differences between mean estimates given by males and those given by females were not significant for any of the conditions and were opposite in direction to what would be expected from McDougall's resulcs. Our obtained differences among the conditions were similar in rank but different in magnitude. McDougall's Ss overestimated all intervals with one exception; the present Ss underestimated all intervals. Additional hypotheses investigated concerned the influence of the time of day at which the estimates were made (Thor & Baldwin, 1965), the effect of the onset of the menstrual cycle, and the importance of psychosexual role identification (PRI) as measured by the Gough femininity scale (Gough, 1952). None of these variables s~gn~ficantly affected time estimates of men and women. However, the relation of b~ological sex and scores on PRI needs particular clarification in fumre research. Assuming the early studies were accurate, Loehlin's hypothesis of changing cultural roles as a determinant of time perception may be essentially cotrecc.
Total protein and protein fractions in tubers of Group Andigena and Phureja-Tuberosum hybrids

Proteins of potato clones with a wide range of total protein content and from two different genetic backgrounds were divided into albumin, globulin, prolamin, glutelin and residual fractions. More soluble protein was recovered from older, more mature tubers than was recovered from younger tubers. Differences in amounts of the protein fractions were detected among the clones. However, the amount of each fraction within a clone was highly correlated with total protein. The percentage of the total protein allocated to each fraction remained relatively constant among the clones which are assumed to be producing mature tubers. Soluble protein (albumin plus globulin) correlated highly with total protein in both Andigena and Phureja-Tuberosum' selections.
A CONTINENCE INDEX PREDICTS THE EARLY RETURN OF URINARY CONTINENCE AFTER RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY

Purpose: We evaluated the ability of a newly developed continence index to predict the return of urinary continence 3 months after radical retropubic prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: We developed and used a continence index to determine continence level after removal of the urinary catheter on postoperative day 15 in 145 men. A total of 20 patients were evaluated independently by 2 nurse specialists to assess continence index reliability. We evaluated continence level, pad use and degree of bothersomeness due to incontinence 3 months after catheter removal. The association of continence score with outcome variables was calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel trend test and the predictive ability of the continence score was determined by logistic regression to produce cumulative odds ratios.Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.995 for the independently assessed continence index ratings and the Cronbach coefficient α was 0.65 for the 5 continence index parameters. Complete continence or co...
Pathologic and parasitologic findings of cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) stranded on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 2001-2006.

Necropsy reports for 28 stranded, cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) that died between 2001 and 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Gross and microscopic lesions were compiled to describe the pathologic and parasitologic findings in turtles that were found freshly dead on the beach or that died within 48 hr of stranding. Anatomic lesions of varying severity were identified in each of the examined turtles and were identified in tissues of the alimentary, respiratory, integumentary, nervous and sensory, and urogenital systems in order of decreasing frequency. Necrotizing enterocolitis and bacterial or fungal pneumonia were the most frequently encountered lesions that were considered clinically significant. Parasites and parasitic lesions were identified primarily in tissues of the alimentary system and included intestinal cestodiasis and parasitic granulomas containing larval cestodes or nematodes. Postlarval cestodes were also found in the coelom of two turtles. In many cases, the...
State power in a multilateral context: Voting strength in the Asian development bank

This article assesses how weighted voting in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) impacts members’ abilities to influence the formation of winning coalitions in its Board of Directors. Voting weights do not adequately measure an actor's ability to affect outcomes because they do not account for either the possible number of coalitions that may form or the number of votes needed to pass a resolution. In short, weighted voting systems cannot be straightforwardly analyzed with reference to voting weights but instead require the determination of . relative voting power. Using the Johnston index of voting power, values are presented for all members at four time points starting in 1980. Results indicate that the United States and Japan, as expected, hold the largest percentages of voting power. Also as expected, most borrowing members do not hold voting power in the Board of Directors. Unexpectedly, there is a pattern of dictators in the syndicates that comprise the Board of Directors whereby some members are able ...
Gene Transfer by Avian Retroviruses

Abstract Recent reports indicate that it is possible to transfer genetic material to the genomes of laboratory and domestic animals. This paper describes the progress in the development of a gene transfer methodology in the chicken using the avian retrovirus as a vector. Retroviruses are well suited as vectors for the transfer of exogenous genetic material, as during their life cycle they integrate into the host’s genome. We have chosen reticuloendotheliosis virus as a model system to establish the experimental conditions for integration of genetic material into the chicken genome. It was found that replication-competent virus can be transmitted to progeny by the inoculation of developing ovarian follicles in the reproductively active ovary. Further, it was found that a replication-defective vector carrying the herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene could be transmitted by a similar route.
Management Changes And Performance: The Case Of REITs

Management’s (board of directors or executive officers) contribution to a firm is difficult to directly observe, although stock return performance can be a source of information. This study extends the work of McIntosh et al (1994) and Friday et al (2006) by analyzing management changes involving Real Estate Investment Trusts from 1996 to 2008. I find that there is a significant relationship between negative performance and a management change from a period three months prior to the change in management. REITs specializing in office properties have the largest negative performance prior to management changes. Negative performance prior to management changes was highest during the tech bubble period.
An epigenetic auto-feedback loop regulates TGF-β type II receptor expression and function in NSCLC

The downregulation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) type II receptor (TβRII) expression and function plays a pivotal role in the loss of the TGF-β-induced tumor suppressor function that contributes to lung cancer progression. The aberrant expression of miRNAs has been shown to be involved in the regulation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Our current study involving miRNA microarray, northern blot and QRT-PCR analysis shows an inverse correlation between miR-20a and TβRII expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cell lines. Stable expression of miR-20a downregulates TβRII in lung epithelial cells which results in an inhibition of TGF-β signaling and attenuation of TGF-β-induced cell growth suppression and apoptosis. Stable knock down of miR-20a increases TβRII expression and inhibits tumorigenicity of lung cancer cells in vivo. Oncogene c-Myc promotes miR-20a expression by activating its promoter leading to downregulation of TβRII expression and TGF-s signaling. MiR-145, which is upregulated by TGF-β, inhibits miR-20a expression by targeting c-Myc and upregulates TβRII expression. These correlations among miRNAs and cellular proteins are supported by TCGA public database using NSCLC specimens. These results suggest a novel mechanism for the loss of TβRII expression and TGF-β-induced tumor suppressor functions in lung cancer through a complex auto-feedback loop TGF-β/miR-145/c-Myc/miR-20a/TβRII.
APPLICATION OF A REAL-TIME CONTROL STRATEGY FOR BAYESIAN BELIEF NETWORKS TO SHIP CLASSIFICATION PROBLEM SOLVING

Many classification problems must be performed in a timely or time constrained manner. For this reason, the generation of control schemes which are capable of responding in real-time are fundamental to many applications. For our problem, that of ship classification, tactical scenarios often dictate the response time required from a system. In this paper, we discuss efficient ways to prioritize and gather evidence within belief networks. We also suggest ways in which we can structure our large problem into a series of small ones. This both pre-defines much of our control strategy into the system structure and also localizes our run-time control issues into much smaller networks. The overall control strategy thus includes the combination of both of these methods. By combining them correctly we can reduce the amount of dynamic computation required during run-time and thus improve the responsiveness of the system.
Figure-8 configuration of dimers of S13 and φX174 replicative form DNA☆

Abstract Evidence from electron microscopy of the replicative form of S13 and φX174 DNA shows the presence of a “figure-8” configuration. This species consists of two monomer length and one dimer length circular strands in covalently closed circular form and containing a fused junction that divides the molecule into two equal circular segments. Its existence is supported by the demonstration that it is converted by digestion with the restriction endonuclease of Hemophilus influenzae strain Rd to α- and X-shaped forms that retain the fused junction, and by examination by electron microscopy in the presence of ethidium bromide, which eliminates tangling and accidental overlays of parts of the DNA molecules. Kgure-8s are present to the extent of about 5% of the dimers present in replicative form DNA. They are proposed to be intermediates in genetic recombination in S13 and φX174.
The development of gaze following and its relation to language.

We examined the ontogeny of gaze following by testing infants at 9, 10 and 11 months of age. Infants (N = 96) watched as an adult turned her head toward a target with either open or closed eyes. The 10- and 11-month-olds followed adult turns significantly more often in the open-eyes than the closed-eyes condition, but the 9-month-olds did not respond differentially. Although 9-montholds may view others as ‘body orienters’, older infants begin to register whether others are ‘visually connected’ to the external world and, hence, understand adult looking in a new way. Results also showed a strong positive correlation between gaze-following behavior at 10‐11 months and subsequent language scores at 18 months. Implications for social cognition are discussed in light of the developmental shift in gaze following between 9 and 11 months of age.
Viral and Host Factors Induce Macrophage Activation and Loss of Toll-Like Receptor Tolerance in Chronic HCV Infection

Background & Aims: Persistent inflammation contributes to progression of liver damage in chronic HCV (cHCV) infection. Repeated exposure to toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands results in tolerance, a protective mechanism aimed at limiting inflammation. Methods: Monocytes/macrophages were repeatedly stimulated via proinflammatory cytokine-inducing TLRs and evaluated for activation markers. Results: Unlike monocytes of controls or patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, the monocytes of cHCV patients were hyperresponsive and failed to show homo- or heterotolerance to TLR ligands, manifested by elevated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production. Serum levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, endotoxin (TLR4 ligand), and HCV core protein (TLR2 ligand) were elevated in cHCV patients suggesting potential mechanisms for in vivo monocyte preactivation. Treatment of normal monocytes with IFN-γ resulted in loss of tolerance to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or HCV core protein. Furthermore, we found increased levels of MyD88-IRAK1 complexes and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity both in monocytes of cHCV patients and in normal monocytes that lost TLR tolerance after IFN-γ + LPS pretreatment. In vitro differentiation of TLR non-tolerant cHCV monocytes into macrophages restored their capacity to exhibit TLR tolerance to LPS and HCV core protein, and this could be reversed by administration of IFN-γ. cHCV patients exhibited increased TNF-α in the circulation and in the liver. In cHCV livers, we found Kupffer cell/macrophage activation indicated by increased CD163 and CD33 expression. Conclusions: We identified that host-derived factors (IFN-γ and endotoxin) and viral factors (HCV core protein) act in tandem to induce and maintain monocyte/macrophage activation, thus favoring persistent inflammation in patients with cHCV infection.
Sonohysterography in Reproductive Medicine

Sonohysterography (SHG) is a simple, cost-effective, safe, minimally invasive ultrasound (US) imaging technique for the evaluation of congenital and acquired uterine abnormalities. The goal of SHG is to visualize endometrial cavity in more detail than is possible with routine 2D or 3D transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS). Sterile saline is injected to distend the uterine cavity and serve as a contrast for its US visualization. Synonym names for this procedure are saline infusion sonography (SIS), hysterosonography (HSN), and gel instillation sonography (GIS, where gel is used instead of saline). Randomized control trial, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses have all shown that with the increased resolution of US, SHG has comparable sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in diagnosing intrauterine abnormalities to hysteroscopy (the former gold standard for intrauterine evaluation). Published guidelines by AIUM and ACOG are easy to implement in routine gynecological and reproductive medicine practice. While using thin flexible catheters, placing them inside the cervix, and injecting the warm saline slowly, this procedure can be pain free. SHG can serve as a first-line test for screening and evaluation of the uterine cavity for the diagnosis of infertility and before ART.
A Critical Review of Construct Indicators and Measurement Model Misspecification in Marketing and Consumer Research

A review of the literature suggests that few studies use formative indicator measurement models, even though they should. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to (a) discuss the distinction between formative and reflective measurement models, (b) develop a set of conceptual criteria that can be used to determine whether a construct should be modeled as having formative or reflective indicators, (c) review the marketing literature to obtain an estimate of the extent of measurement model misspecification in the field, (d) estimate the extent to which measurement model misspecification biases estimates of the relationships between constructs using a Monte Carlo simulation, and (e) provide recommendations for modeling formative indicator constructs.
Tcc1p, a Novel Protein Containing the Tetratricopeptide Repeat Motif, Interacts with Tup1p To Regulate Morphological Transition and Virulence in Candida albicans

The transcriptional factor CaTup1p represses many genes involved in intracellular processes, including the yeast-hypha transition, in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Using tandem affinity purification technology, we identified a novel protein that interacts with CaTup1p, named Tcc1p (Tup1p complex component). Tcc1p is a C. albicans-specific protein with a 736-amino-acid polypeptide with four tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs in the N-terminal portion. Tcc1p formed a protein complex with CaTup1p via the TPR domain of Tcc1p, independently of CaSsn6p-CaTup1p The tcc1Δ disruptant showed filamentous growth under conditions inducing the yeast form, as is true of the Catup1Δ mutant. Consistent with this result, the common set of hypha-specific genes was negatively regulated by both TCC1 and CaTUP1. These observations will provide new insights into CaTup1p-dependent transcriptional gene regulation in C. albicans.
Intraventricular neurocytomas: A systematic review of stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated conventional radiotherapy for residual or recurrent tumors

Abstract To determine optimal treatment for recurrent or residual intraventricular neurocytomas (IVNs), a systematic review of PubMed and EMBASE was conducted comparing fractionated conventional radiotherapy (FCRT) versus stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Inclusion criteria included histological IVN documentation, at least 6 months of follow-up observation and described dose of FCRT or SRS administered. Descriptive statistical and Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed. The literature search yielded 451 articles. Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria. The local tumor control proportion was 93% and 88% in the SRS and FCRT subgroups, respectively. The relative risk (RR) of local recurrence was 0.57 less (95% CI: 0.21–1.57; log-rank p =0.85) and the RR of all-cause mortality was 0.23 less (95% CI: 0.05–1.05; log-rank p =0.22) in SRS subgroup compared to the FCRT subgroup but did not reach statistical significance. Recurrence was significantly associated with presence of histological atypia (log-rank p p =0.74); however, distant tumor recurrence was slightly lower in the FCRT subgroup (1.5% versus 5.5%, p =0.24). The role of SRS or FCRT in the management of residual or recurrent IVNs will continue to depend on the balance between the risks and benefits of SRS and FCRT until better quality data are available.
Effectiveness of shielding materials for dose reduction

The design of future spacecraft such as the Crew Exploration Vehicle must take into account the radiation shielding properties of both the structural components as well as dedicated shielding materials. Since the vast majority of solar energetic particles (SEP) are stopped by modest depths of shielding, the far greater challenge is posed by the need to shield crew from the galactic cosmic rays (GCR), which include highly-charged and highly-energetic particles. Hydrogenous materials and low-mass elements have been shown to be more effective shields against the deleterious effects of GCR-like irradiations than the aluminum currently used in spacecraft hull design. Polyethylene, CH/sub 2/, has therefore been chosen by NASA as the reference material for comparison of multifunction composites currently being developed. A wide variety of targets, both elemental and composite, were placed in the particle beams, and the spectra of particles emerging from the targets were measured using a stack of silicon detectors. Results are presented in terms of dose reduction per g cm/sup -2/ of target material, and compared to an equal mass of CH/sub 2/.
Sensorless control of a non-salient PMSM with locally decoupled angle and speed estimates

A state observer provides angle, velocity and load estimates for a non-salient permanent magnet synchronous motor. Local stability does not require quasi steady state hypotheses. A block structure decouples position estimates from speed and load torque estimates, with advantages at low speed.