cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxygenation of head and neck cancer: changes during radiotherapy and impact on treatment outcome

Abstract Background and purpose : To evaluate the long term clinical significance of tumor oxygenation in a population of head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and to assess changes in tumor oxygenation during the course of treatment. Methods and materials : Patients with head and neck cancer receiving primary RT underwent pretreatment polarographic tumor oxygen measurement of the primary site or a metastatic neck lymph node. Treatment consisted of once daily (2 Gy/fraction to a total dose of 66–70 Gy) or twice daily irradiation (1.25 Gy/fraction to 70–75 Gy) to the primary site. Twenty-seven patients underwent a second series of measurements early in the course of irradiation. Results : Sixty-three patients underwent pretreatment tumor oxygen assessment (primary site, n =24; nodes, n =39). The median pO 2 for primary lesions was 4.8 mmHg, and it was 4.3 mmHg for cervical nodes. There was a weak association between anemia and more poorly oxygened tumors, but many non-anemic patients still had poorly oxygenated tumors. Repeat assessments of tumor oxygenation after 10–15 Gy were unchanged compared to pretreatment baselines. Poorly oxygenated nodes pretreatment were more likely to contain viable residual disease at post-radiation neck dissection. Median follow-up time for surviving patients was 20 months (range 3–50 months). Hypoxia (tumor median pO 2 P =0.01), disease-free survival (26 vs. 73%, P =0.005), and survival (35 vs. 83%, P =0.02). Conclusion : Tumor oxygenation affects the prognosis of head and neck cancer independently of other known prognostic variables. This parameter may be a useful tool for the selection of patients for investigational treatment strategies.
The role of chemotherapy in the management of soft tissue sarcomas

Prior to the use of chemotherapy, survival for rhabdomyosarcoma which had been completely resected was 50-60%. A controled study done by Children's Cancer Study Group showed the effectiveness of combined chemotherapy used as part of primary therapy in similar patients. Children who received actinomycin D (Act D) and vincristine (Vcr) for 1 year after surgery and radiotherapy had a lower metastatic rate than those who received none. This combination resulted in an 89% survival in patients with localized disease which was surgically resectable. Patients with microscopic residual disease had a 91% survival. With more aggressive use of combined chemotherapy, experience has accumulated demonstrating improved response and survival in both localized and gross residual disease. Combinations of Act D, Vcr, and cyclophosphamide can reduce initial tumor size, making large tumor masses more amenable to surgery and radiotherapy. Currently, an intergroup study is testing the response to four different drug combinations and the duration of therapy needed for various stages of the disease.
Nuevas direcciones: Sexuality, politics, and reproductive health in Mexico

This special issue of Sexuality Research and Social Policy: Journal of NSRC is the first in the journals history to be devoted fully to examining sexuality and sexual health policy in a country other than the United States. It is fitting that Mexico is the focus of the first special issue of this kind not only because Americans have long been preoccupied by their neighbor to the south but also because the publication of this issue coincides with heated debates on immigration in the United States and with the public response to those debates within Mexico itself. On a daily basis Americans and Mexicans alike are exposed to images of Mexicans crossing the Mexico-U.S. border broadcast by the mass media in both countries. Those Mexican migrants simultaneously embody what some Americans most fear about immigration and what other Americans and many Mexicans reflecting on the dire conditions surrounding the migrants before and after migration recognize as eloquent indicators of economic disparity and social injustice. (excerpt)
A microgel electrophoresis technique for the direct quantitation of DNA damage and repair in individual fibroblasts cultured on microscope slides

We demonstrate by single-cell microgel electrophoresis that the 2 main techniques, trypsinization and scraping, used to collect normal diploid mammalian cells cultured in monolayer induce DNA damage. To minimize this potential interference with studies on DNA damage and repair, we have standardized the single-cell gel electrophoretic (SCG) technique for the in situ quantitation of DNA single-strand breaks and alkali-labile sites in cultured human-fibroblasts. To demonstrate the utility of this technique, human neonatal foreskin-derived fibroblasts were allowed to attach to frosted microscope slides and then either irradiated with X-rays (25-200 rad) or treated for 1 h with hydrogen peroxide (2.2-140.8 mumoles). Treatment with either agent induced a dose-dependent increase in DNA migration. At equal levels of DNA damage, cell-to-cell variability in DNA migration was more heterogeneous for hydrogen peroxide-treated cells than for X-irradiated cells. A time course study to evaluate the kinetics of DNA repair for X-ray (200 rad)-induced damage indicated that the damage was completely repaired within 2 h. Applications of this technique for in vitro toxicology are discussed.
The Religious Life of Thomas Jefferson

In this new study we have a comprehensive account of Jefferson's religious thought, one that provides information about his beliefs and practices that will help remove any misconceptions about his religious life.Jefferson has long been recognized as a creative thinker ahead of his time. As this book makes clear, he was deeply interested in religious questions that the passing years have made more important. Beyond such obvious issues as war and peace, social justice, and racism, he confronted religious and theological problems that have increasingly concerned later religious thinkers.
Long-term impact of radiation on the stem cell and oligodendrocyte precursors in the brain.

Background The cellular basis of long term radiation damage in the brain is not fully understood. Methods and Findings We administered a dose of 25Gy to adult rat brains while shielding the olfactory bulbs. Quantitative analyses were serially performed on different brain regions over 15 months. Our data reveal an immediate and permanent suppression of SVZ proliferation and neurogenesis. The olfactory bulb demonstrates a transient but remarkable SVZ-independent ability for compensation and maintenance of the calretinin interneuron population. The oligodendrocyte compartment exhibits a complex pattern of limited proliferation of NG2 progenitors but steady loss of the oligodendroglial antigen O4. As of nine months post radiation, diffuse demyelination starts in all irradiated brains. Counts of capillary segments and length demonstrate significant loss one day post radiation but swift and persistent recovery of the vasculature up to 15 months post XRT. MRI imaging confirms loss of volume of the corpus callosum and early signs of demyelination at 12 months. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrates progressive degradation of myelin sheaths with axonal preservation. Areas of focal necrosis appear beyond 15 months and are preceded by widespread demyelination. Human white matter specimens obtained post-radiation confirm early loss of oligodendrocyte progenitors and delayed onset of myelin sheath fragmentation with preserved capillaries. Conclusions This study demonstrates that long term radiation injury is associated with irreversible damage to the neural stem cell compartment in the rodent SVZ and loss of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in both rodent and human brain. Delayed onset demyelination precedes focal necrosis and is likely due to the loss of oligodendrocyte precursors and the inability of the stem cell compartment to compensate for this loss.
Feelings of control restore distorted time perception of emotionally charged events

Humans perceive time with millisecond precision. However, when experiencing negative or fearful events, time appears to slow down and aversive events are judged to last longer than neutral or positive events of equal duration. Feelings of control have been shown to attenuate increases in arousal triggered by anxiety-provoking events. Here, we tested whether feelings of control can go as far as influencing people's perception of the world, by modulating the perceived duration of aversive events. Observers judged the duration of images depicting positive or negative content, and we manipulated the amount of control experienced by participants. Crucially, participants never had any real control over events. All control was illusory. Results showed that when participants experienced low levels of control, negative images were judged as lasting longer than positive images. However, when participants illusorily experienced high levels of control, they no longer experienced aversive negative images as lasting longer than positive images.
Can oral fluid cannabinoid testing monitor medication compliance and/or cannabis smoking during oral THC and oromucosal Sativex administration?

a b s t r a c t Objectives: We characterize cannabinoid disposition in oral fluid (OF) after dronabinol, synthetic oral � 9 - tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Sativex, a cannabis-extract oromucosal spray, and evaluate whether smoked cannabis relapse or Sativex compliance can be identified with OF cannabinoid monitoring. Methods: 5 and 15 mg synthetic oral THC, low (5.4 mg THC, 5.0 mg cannabidiol (CBD)) and high (16.2 mg THC, 15.0 mg CBD) dose Sativex, and placebo were administered in random order (n = 14). Oral fluid specimens were collected for 10.5 h after dosing and analyzed for THC, CBD, cannabinol (CBN), and 11- nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH). Results: After oral THC, OF THC concentrations decreased over time from baseline, reflecting residual THC excretion from previously self-administered smoked cannabis. CBD and CBN also were rarely detected. After Sativex, THC, CBD and CBN increased greatly, peaking at 0.25-1 h. Median CBD/THC and CBN/THC ratios were 0.82-1.34 and 0.04-0.06, respectively, reflecting cannabinoids' composition in Sativex. THC- COOH/THC ratios within 4.5 h post Sativex were ≤1.6 pg/ng, always lower than after oral THC and placebo. THCCOOH/THC ratios increased throughout each dosing session. Conclusions: Lack of measurable THC, CBD and CBN in OF following oral THC, and high OF CBD/THC ratios after Sativex distinguish oral and sublingual drug delivery routes from cannabis smoking. Low THCCOOH/THC ratios suggest recent Sativex and smoked cannabis exposure. These data indicate that OF cannabinoid monitoring can document compliance with Sativex pharmacotherapy, and identify relapse to smoked cannabis during oral THC medication but not Sativex treatment, unless samples were collected shortly after smoking. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
A new pipe element for modeling three-dimensional large deformation problems

Abstract A new straight pipe element that enables the efficient computation of large, three-dimensional deformations in pipes with circular cross-sections is presented. The new element, which supports rigid-body and constant-strain modes, is modeled using curvilinear shell coordinates and sinusoidal interpolation functions and captures all stresses except the normal stress across the shell thickness (i.e. small thickness is assumed). Euler parameters are used to describe rotational rigid-body modes and are incorporated into the element's vector of degrees of freedom. Under general loading (axial, transverse, bending and torsion), the element allows large ovalization of its cross-section and large, three-dimensional, angular changes in the orientation of its reference axis. The formulation used to derive the element incorporates the nonlinear coupling between torsional and bendibg deformations. Results are presented for stresses and deformations produced by combined bending and torsional loads. A comparison of these results to corresponding quantities generated by ABAQUS using a large number of 24 degree-of-freedom shell elements indicates excellent agreement and significant gains in computational efficiency because of a reduction in number of degrees of freedom.
Geometric specificity of porcine liver carboxylesterase and its application for the production of cis-arylacrylic esters

Porcine liver carboxylesterase (carboxylic-ester hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.1) hydrolyses trans isomers of three different methyl 3-arylacrylates approximately one order of magnitude faster than the corresponding cis isomers. This phenomenon can be used for preparative production of cis esters from their trans counterparts as exemplified by methyl cinnamate. A solution of commercial, predominantly trans methyl cinnamate was irradiated by ultraviolet light and the resultant mixture of trans and cis esters was passed through a column packed with immobilized esterase. The effluent contained mainly trans cinnamic acid and cis methyl cinnamate. The latter was then extracted with methylene chloride, and the cis ester was isolated by evaporating the solvent. By esterifying the co-produced trans acid, the process can be made continuous.
Importation, deprivation, and varieties of serving time: An integrated-lifestyle-exposure model of prison offending

Using data on 208 male, former inmates in a midwestern state, the current study extended the importation/deprivation debate by developing an integrated model of prison offending. The model contained attitudinal measures, self-control, perceptions of prison conditions, prison lifestyles, objective measures of prison conditions, and controls. Structural equation modeling indicated that both the importation and deprivation theories of inmate behavior were salient, however, their effects were mediated by the inmate's lifestyle while imprisoned, specifically, his participation in the inmate economy.
Therapy of Psoriasis by Tar Photosensitization

For the first time since Goeckerman suggested the therapeutic potential of tar photosensitization of psoriatic skin, this mechanism has been shown to be effective in treating generalized psoriasis vulgaris. Long treatment times, need for special high-intensity sources, the presence of skin pain, and absence of information about long-term effects makes this treatment impractical at present.
Al2O3-5 wt% Al composites by ICP sintering of synthesized precursor

Microstructure developments during the milling of Al2O3-5wt% Al composite powder in an attritor and subsequent sintering of the precursor by inductively coupled argon plasma are presented. After 4 h of milling the precursor contained tubular ceramic-metal and uniform ceramic regions. With an increase in the milling period the ceramic-metal regions broke into smaller and almost globular regions, and the smaller regions became dispersed in the ceramic regions. After 8 h of milling the composite powder had a stable microstructure and contained 0.25–0.35 μm clusters. The sintered composite was > 99.7% dense and its microstructure consisted of ceramic-metal regions which were dispersed in the matrix of a ceramic region. The sizes of ceramic grains in ceramic-metal regions and the ceramic regions were 0.3–2.2 and 0.8–1.8 μm, respectively. Many ceramic grains in ceramic-metal regions were separated by 30–100 nm wide metal layers. The microstructure of the ceramic-metal region showed many features of interpenetrating phase composites. The Knoop and Vickers microhardnesses of the composites at 5–10 N loads were 410–450. Under 10 N loads in Knoop and Vickers microhardness tests the crack length was 11±3 and 3 ± 0.5 μm, respectively. The crack propogation mechanisms in the indented areas are discussed.
Survival Probability in Ovarian Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 5-year survival probability (SP) of patients treated for ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma (OCCA) at a single tertiary institution and to compare it to the 5-year SP of patients with other histologic subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods. Sixty-four patients with pure OCCA treated at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1981 to 1996 were retrospectively identified and clinical information was abstracted. All histologic materials were reviewed by a single gynecologic pathologist. SP was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method. SPs for OCCA patients were compared to that of other high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer patients in the gynecologic tumor registry. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to identify varibles associated with decreased SP. Results. The FIGO stages of OCCA study patients were Stage I, 31 (50%), Stage II, 6 (10%), Stage III, 17 (27%), and Stage IV, 8 (13%) (2 patients unstaged). Forty-four patients had no gross residual cancer at the completion of initial surgery while 9 patients had ≤1 cm diameter residual and 10 had >1 cm residual. Forty-five (73%) received postoperative chemotherapy. The median follow-up for surviving patients is 97 months (range 38 to 209 months). The overall 5-year SP of OCCA patients is 50% with limited disease (Stages I and II) patients having a 5-year SP of 72% versus 17% 5-year SP in patients with advanced disease ( P P Conclusions. When controlled for grade and stage, the overall survival with OCCA is identical to that of other high-grade epithelial ovarian cancers. Factors that account for the better overall survival of OCCA patients are more favorable disease stage, younger age, and improved debulking status.
Taxol-induced meiotic maturation delay, spindle defects, and aneuploidy in mouse oocytes and zygotes.

To increase our understanding about the potential risks of chemically-induced aneuploidy, more information about the various mechanisms of aneuploidy induction is needed, particularly in germ cells. Most chemicals that induce aneuploidy inhibit microtubule polymerization. However, taxol alters microtubule dynamics by enhancing polymerization and stabilizing the polymer fraction. We tested the hypothesis that taxol induces meiotic delay, spindle defects, and aneuploidy in mouse oocytes and zygotes. Super-ovulated ICR mice received 0 (control), 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/kg taxol intraperitoneally immediately after HCG. Females were paired (1:1) with males for 17 h after taxol treatment. Mated females were given colchicine 25 h after taxol and their one-cell zygotes were collected 16 h later. Ovulated oocytes from non-mated females were collected 17 h after taxol. Chromosomes were C-banded for cytogenetic analyses. Oocytes were also collected from another group of similarly treated females for in situ chromatin and microtubule analyses. Taxol significantly (p<0.01) enhanced the proportion of oocytes exhibiting parthenogenetic activation, chromosomes displaced from the meiotic spindle, and sister-chromatid separation. Moreover, 7.5 mg/kg taxol significantly (p<0.01) increased the proportions of metaphase I and diploid oocytes and polyploid zygotes. A significant (p<0.01) dose response for taxol-induced hyperploidy in oocytes and zygotes was found. These results support the hypothesis that taxol-induced meiotic delay and spindle defects contribute to aneuploid mouse oocytes and zygotes.
Peptide YY Reverses TNF-α Induced Transcription Factor Binding of Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 and p53 in Pancreatic Acinar Cells

Background. Cytokine activation in the pancreatitis induces local and systemic cellular damage. Transcription factors interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) and the tumor suppressor gene p53 collaborate to enhance p21 related cell cycle regulation during pathological disease progression. However, little is known about their role in the pancreas after cytokine challenge. Our laboratory has previously shown that TNF-a induces the binding of many transcription factors, including NF-kappa B, and treatment with the gut hormone, Peptide YY (PYY), ameliorates the effects. We hypothesized that TNF-a would induce IRF-1 and p53 protein binding in pancreatic acinar cells and that PYY would attenuate the effect. Materials and methods. Rat pancreatic acinar AR42J cells were treated with rat recombinant TNF-a (200 ng/ml). To verify that our model was inducing pancreatitis, α-amylase activity was measured in the cell culture supernatant by fluorescence spectroscopy. PYY [3-36] was added at 500 pM 30 min post-TNF treatment; cells were harvested at 2 h for extraction of nuclear protein. Transcription factor binding of IRF-1 and p53 were determined by protein/DNA array analysis using chemiluminescence detection, and relative spot densities were measured by densitometry. A twofold increase or decrease in density was considered significant. Results. Amylase enzyme activity was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in the TNF-α-treated cells by 2 h. Protein/DNA array analysis revealed significant up-regulation of both IRF-1 and p53 protein in nuclear extracts. Induction by TNF-a increased IRF-1 protein binding 3.5-fold, while binding levels of p53 protein increased six-fold. The addition of PYY to TNF-treated cells reduced IRF-1 and p53 binding to control levels. Conclusions. We have shown for the first time that short-term exposure to TNF-a induces the binding activity of transcription factors IRF-1 and p53 in rat pancreatic acinar cells, and that addition of PYY reduces it. Regulation of transcription factor activity by PYY may have therapeutic potential in altering the progression of pancreatitis.
On the characteristics of the equations of motion for a bubbly flow and the related problem of critical flow

For the study of transients in gas-liquid flows, the equations of the so-called separated flow model are inadequate, because they possess, in the general case where gas and liquid move at different velocities, complex characteristics. This paper is concerned with the equations of motion for bubbly flow. The equations are discussed with emphasis on the aspects of relative motion and the characteristics are calculated. It is found that all characteristics are real. The results are used to establish a relation between gas velocity, liquid velocity, void fraction and sound velocity at critical flow. This relation agrees very well with experimental data for these quantities as measured by Muir and Eichhorn in the throat of a converging-diverging nozzle.
Social control of form diversity and the emergence of new forms in children's blockbuilding.

The blockbuilding behavior of three preschool girls was analyzed in terms of the forms manifest in any completed block construction, and found to contain few different forms in baseline sessions. Social reinforcement, given contingent on the production of any form not previously constructed within the current session (i.e., every first appearance of any form within a session was reinforced but no subsequent appearances of that form within that session were), increased the number of different forms built per sessions. Social reinforcement, given for all second and later appearances within the session, decreased the number of different forms built per session. Furthermore, it was found that new forms (forms never seen before in the child's total prior sequence of blockbuilding sessions) emerged at higher rates during periods of reinforcement of different forms (first appearances) than during periods of baseline or reinforcement of same forms (second and later appearances).
Posterior sampling with improved efficiency

The Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique provides a means to generate a random sequence of model realizations that sample the posterior probability distribution of a Bayesian analysis. That sequence may be used to make inferences about the model uncertainties that derive from measurement uncertainties. This paper presents an approach to improving the efficiency of the Metropolis approach to MCMC by incorporating an approximation to the covariance matrix of the posterior distribution. The covariance matrix is approximated using the update formula from the BFGS quasi-Newton optimization algorithm. Examples are given for uncorrelated and correlated multidimensional Gaussian posterior distributions.
Controlled AFM manipulation of small nanoparticles and assembly of hybrid nanostructures

We demonstrate controlled manipulation of semiconductor and metallic nanoparticles (NPs) with 5-15 nm diameters and assemble these NPs into hybrid structures. The manipulation is accomplished under ambient environment using a commercial atomic force microscope (AFM). There are particular difficulties associated with manipulating NPs this small. In addition to spatial drift, the shape of an asymmetric AFM tip has to be taken into account in order to understand the intended and actual manipulation results. Furthermore, small NPs often attach to the tip via electrostatic interaction and modify the effective tip shape. We suggest a method for detaching the NPs by performing a pseudo-manipulation step. Finally, we show by example the ability to assemble these small NPs into prototypical hybrid nanostructures with well-defined composition and geometry.
Model-Independent Measurements of Cosmic Expansion and Growth at z=0.57 Using the Anisotropic Clustering of CMASS Galaxies From the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 9

We analyze the anisotropic two dimensional galaxy correlation function (2DCF) of the CMASS galaxy sample from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 9 (DR9) of the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) data. Modeling the 2DCF fully including nonlinear effects and redshift space distortions (RSD) in the scale range of 30 to 120 h^{-1}Mpc, we find H(0.57)r_s(z_d)/c=0.0444 +/- 0.0019, D_A(0.57)/r_s(z_d)=9.01 +/- 0.23, and f_g(0.57)\sigma_8(0.57)=0.474 +/- 0.075, where r_s(z_d) is the sound horizon at the drag epoch computed using a simple integral, and f_g(z) is the growth rate at redshift z, and \sigma_8(z) represents the matter power spectrum normalization on 8h^{-1}Mpc scale at z. We find that the scales larger than 120 h^{-1}Mpc are dominated by noise in the 2DCF analysis, and that the inclusion of scales 30-40 h^{-1}Mpc significantly tightens the RSD measurement. Our measurements are consistent with previous results using the same data, but have significantly better precision since we are using all the information from the 2DCF in the scale range of 30 to 120 h^{-1}Mpc. Our measurements have been marginalized over sufficiently wide priors for the relevant parameters; they can be combined with other data to probe dark energy and gravity.
PIMS and the FTC line‐of‐business data: A comparison

The PIMS data base and the FTC Line-of-business data base have both been widely used in industrial organization research and business strategy research. However, both data bases have been criticized because of their sample compositions, their measurement methodologies, and the underlying data structures. This study was designed to explore the issues that have been raised about the two data sets by comparing findings produced by them. Since criticism of the two data sets are dissimilar, it is highly unlikely that comparable results would be obtained if the quality of either or both data sets was deficient. This study shows that the data sets generally produce highly comparable descriptive and relational results. However, a number of disagreements do arise, and these are traced to idiosyncratic causes, rather than to the kinds of systematic shortcomings suggested by critics.
A Highly Resilient Framework for Autonomous Robotic Swarm Systems Operating in Unknown, Hostile Environments

Robotic swarm systems have many important applications, such as assisting with search and rescue missions, exploring space-based environments, etc. They provide the capability of performing tasks that may be beyond the means of individual robots, such as carrying heavy loads, maneuvering over complex terrains, etc. For mission-critical and/or safety-critical applications, it is important to ensure that the system deployed is highly dependable. In this paper, we present a highly resilient swarm system framework to support Resilient Operational Basis for Ultrahigh Survivable and Trustworthy (ROBUST) robotic swarm systems operating in unknown environments. The framework consists of important characteristics that are necessary for achieving ROBUST swarm systems operating in unknown, hostile environments in order to be able to dependably accomplish their specified missions.
Comparison of layer-peeling inverse scattering using three derived lattice models of multilayered media

It is assumed that a planar electromagnetic wave propagates in a single direction in a linear, isotropic, time-invariant (stationary) multilayered media. The resulting wave equation can be represented by coupled first order partial differential equations in terms of right going (W/sub R/) and left going (W/sub L/) wave functions, where the right going direction is in the positive x-direction and the left going direction is in the negative x-direction. Three methods (forward, backward and central differences) are assumed in discretizing the couple partial differential equations resulting in three different transmission parameter lattice models for each point of interest (x,t). From each transmission parameter model, a scattering lattice model is produced. Using the derived scattering lattice models, inverse scattering via the layer-peeling technique is employed to determine the dielectric constant of each layer of materials. Comparative results for particle boards and for polyethylene slabs are presented.
The Trade-Off Between Accuracy and Precision in Latent Variable Models of Mediation Processes

Social psychologists place high importance on understanding mechanisms and frequently employ mediation analyses to shed light on the process underlying an effect. Such analyses can be conducted with observed variables (e.g., a typical regression approach) or latent variables (e.g., a structural equation modeling approach), and choosing between these methods can be a more complex and consequential decision than researchers often realize. The present article adds to the literature on mediation by examining the relative trade-off between accuracy and precision in latent versus observed variable modeling. Whereas past work has shown that latent variable models tend to produce more accurate estimates, we demonstrate that this increase in accuracy comes at the cost of increased standard errors and reduced power, and examine this relative trade-off both theoretically and empirically in a typical 3-variable mediation model across varying levels of effect size and reliability. We discuss implications for social psychologists seeking to uncover mediating variables and provide 3 practical recommendations for maximizing both accuracy and precision in mediation analyses.
Levels of Stewart's wilt resistance necessary to prevent reductions in yield of sweet corn hybrids.

Stewart's wilt reactions and yield of a total of 69 sweet corn hybrids were evaluated in trials in 1999 and 2000 in order to determine the level of Stewart's wilt resistance necessary to prevent reduction in yield of sweet corn hybrids. Plants at the 2- to 3-leaf stage were inoculated with Erwinia stewartii using the pinprick method. Stewart's wilt symptoms were rated from 1 to 9, and incidence of systemic infection was determined as a percentage for each experimental unit. Primary ears were harvested about 21 days after midsilk, and yield was measured as ear weight and number of marketable ears. Percent yield was calculated for each hybrid by dividing yield from inoculated treatments by yield from noninoculated treatments and multiplying by 100. Hybrid means for Stewart's wilt ratings in inoculated treatments ranged from 2.0 to 7.3. The relationships between percent yield and Stewart's wilt severity ratings were described best by curvilinear regressions, whereas percent yield decreased linearly with the incidence of systemic infection in 2000. Ear weights of hybrids with ratings below 3 or 3.5 were estimated from the regression equations to be within 95 or 92%, respectively, of those from noninoculated treatments of the same hybrid. The number of marketable ears from hybrids with ratings of 3 or below was estimated from the regression equations to be within 90% of those from noninoculated treatments of the same hybrid. A level of resistance that resulted in Stewart's wilt ratings below 3 or 3.5 corresponded to nonsystemic infection of most plants (i.e., incidence of systemic infection below 5 or 10%, respectively). The adverse effects of Stewart's wilt on ear weight and marketability appeared to be minor for sweet corn hybrids with levels of resistance that prevented or minimized systemic infection.
Rethinking the Parameters of Trademark Use in Entertainment

Trademark law is flawed in its approach to trademark uses in entertainment. Infringement turns on whether a consumer is likely to be confused into believing that a markholder sponsored or approved of the use. Because consumers are increasingly aware of product placement and other sponsored mark uses, this likelihood of confusion standard may be met, and infringement found, even for harmless and/or artistically relevant uses, such as uses for purposes of verisimilitude or uses that rely on a mark’s symbolic meaning to assist in conveying a work’s message. This increased likelihood of confusion chills speech by forcing content creators to choose between licensing marks and avoiding marks altogether. Ironically, because negative depictions of marks are less likely to confuse consumers and because trademark dilution law does not apply to expressive uses of marks, trademark law permits gratuitously negative depictions of marks, which may harm markholders. The result is a doctrinally imbalanced system that chills speech, increases the transaction costs of content creation, and disproportionately harms small or independent content creators, while still permitting potentially harmful uses.There is a solution to this problem: rather than applying the traditional likelihood of confusion and dilution analyses, unauthorized uses of marks should be permitted in an expressive setting unless the use is (1) not artistically relevant or (2) explicitly misleading. This test is based on factors identified by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Rogers v. Grimaldi, but differs from that court’s analysis in two significant ways. First, the Rogers approach requires the court to perform a traditional likelihood of confusion analysis and then to balance likelihood of confusion against the public interest in freedom of expression. The proposed test avoids the likelihood of confusion analysis entirely. Second, the proposed test applies a presumption of artistic relevance. This simpler scheme would permit the use of marks as expressive tools, while encouraging content creators to seek permission for uses that are more likely to harm a mark’s source-identifying function.
Compositing black-and-white bitmaps

Publisher Summary A typical bitmap encodes pixels that are black and white. Adding an auxiliary bitmap allows to represent pixels that are transparent. The two-bit representation is useful for black-and-white images that are non-rectangular or that have holes. It also leads to a richer set of operations for combining bitmaps. This chapter discusses the three possible pixel values by the Boolean pair (α, β) and explains the effects of the operations on two sample bitmaps—P and Q. The Boolean operations can be executed for an entire bitmap at once, using a sequence of standard bitblt operations. The over operator is useful for placing a non-rectangular black-and-white bitmap on top of an existing image; it is ideal for drawing cursors. The in and out operators allow one bitmap to act as a matte for another. The atop operator allows a small piece of texture to be painted onto an existing bitmap incrementally.
Predicting and preventing antimicrobial resistance utilizing pharmacodynamics: Part I gram positive bacteria.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Antimicrobial resistance is a potentially inevitable consequence of widespread use of antibiotics in the healthcare system. An enhanced understanding of pharmacodynamic (PD) targets that prevent antimicrobial resistance development will improve currently availably therapies and help to guide future drug development strategies. Current in vitro methods to predict bacterial resistance to antimicrobials consist of serial dilution experiments, determination of the mutant prevention concentration (MPC), mutant selection window (MSW), and human simulated pharmacodynamics studies. Clinical trial data and real -world surveillance studies can help validate or disprove in vitro modeling.Areas covered: This review will discuss methods of predicting development of resistance and how the use of pharmacodynamics can reduce or eliminate the emergence of resistance among Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Enterococcus species.Expert opinion: Pharmacodynamic targets can be used succ...
The Response of Higher Education to the Shortage of Nursing School Applicants

This survey revealed that the majority of nursing schools responding, both public and private, required a 2.5 GPA for admission and that this standard had not been lowered in response to the nursing shortage. In general, responses indicated a belief that those students admitted with a GPA of less than 2.5 were not as likely to be successful in the program. Although some research in higher education suggests that more stringent requirements tend to improve the status of the college and therefore improve the quality of the applicants, the results of this survey did not support this. However, those schools that had increased their admission standards had done so within the past five years and, therefore, the effects of these changes may not yet be realized. The number, variety, and level of difficulty of prerequisite courses had remained constant and, in some cases, increased. Lowering the number and level of difficulty of prerequisite courses was not being done even with a decrease in the applicant pool. Required nursing courses were being offered on a more frequent basis by some schools to attract more students by increasing flexibility within the program and to increase the number of times during the year that students can be admitted. More time and money were being spent to improve the image of nursing and to recruit qualified students into the profession. Efforts were also being made to make it feasible for associate degree nurses to return for their bachelors degree in nursing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Trace-element and physical response to melt percolation in Summit (Greenland) snow

Surface melt on a glacier can perturb the glaciochemical record beyond the natural variability. While the centre of the Greenland ice sheet is usually devoid of surface melt, many high-Arctic and alpine ice cores document frequent summertime melt events. Current hypotheses interpreting melt-affected ice-core chemistry rely on preferential elution of certain major ions. However, the precise nature of chemistry alteration is unknown because it is difficult to distinguish natural variability from melt effects in a perennially melt-affected site. We use eight trace-element snow chemistry records recovered from Summit, Greenland, to study spatial variability and melt effects on insoluble trace chemistry and physical stratigraphy due to artificially introduced meltwater. Differences between non-melt and melt-affected chemistry were significantly greater than the spatial variability in chemistry represented by nearest-neighbour pairs. Melt-perturbed trace elements, particularly rare earth elements, retained their seasonal stratigraphies, suggesting that trace elements may serve as robust chemical indicators for annual layers even in melt-affected study areas. Results suggest trace-element transport via meltwater percolation will deposit eluted material down-pit in refrozen areas below the nearest-surface chemistry peak. In our experiments, snow chemistry analyses are more sensitive to melt perturbations than density changes or unprocessed near-infrared digital imagery.
The effects of thin paint coatings on the aerodynamics of semi-span wings

Recent experiences with pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) have shown that very thin paint layers on wind-tunnel models tested at high Reynolds numbers can significantly alter the pressure distributions, and thus the forces and moments, on the models. This was observed during two tests of transport-like wings: a "clean" supercritical wing at transonic cruise conditions in the High Reynolds Number Channel 2, and a high-lift wing, complete with slats and flaps, at landing conditions in the 12-Ft Pressure Wind Tunnel. The effect of paint on the cruise wing was to displace the shock wave slightly upstream from its no-paint position. Smoothing the paint, and even removing it entirely from the leading edge, decreased this displacement slightly. Applying paint to only the slats of the high-lift wing caused the wing to stall prematurely at the highest Reynolds number. This effect could be eliminated by smoothing the paint. Adding paint to other parts of the model had little effect. Paint intrusiveness was much smaller and more ambiguous at lower Reynolds numbers. The roughness of the paint in both tests did not exceed generally accepted "admissible roughness" criteria for turbulent boundary layers nor did it exceed accepted criteria for forcing premature transition of a laminar boundary layer.
Application of Benchmark Dose (BMD) to Assess Bone Effects in a General Population Exposed to Environmental Fluoride

[Objective] An epidemiological study was conducted to estimate the benchmark dose of a population exposed to environmental fluoride in order to evaluate critical exposure level of fluoride and to find an easier biomarker for its bone damage. [Methods] Urine fluorine(UF)、urine creatine(UCr)、blood fluorine(BF)were used as exposure biomarkers, urinary hydroxyproline(HYP)、serum osteocalcin(BGP)、serum alkaline phosphatase(AKP)、serum alkaline phosphatase (bone isoenzyme)(BAKP)and bone mineral density were mensured as effect biomarkers. Z scores were calculated. [Results] Comparing with the control group,it has been concluded that UF,BF,BGP,HYP,BAKP and bone mineral density of the exposure group were significantly different,P0.05. The bone mineral density declines significantly but BGP and HYP ascend significantly following the raise of urine fluorine,P0.01. The BMDLs of UF calculated basing on BGP,HYP,Z score,BAKP and AKP were 0.31,2.75,4.36,4.06 and 5.09 mg/L respectively. [Conclusion] The internal dose could reflect fluorine exposure level better. Z score was identified as a specific and sensitive biomarker. BGP and HYP can be used as highly sensitive biomarkers to screen the high risk population of bone fluorosis.
The Seasonal Fluctuation and Diversity of Aquatic Nematode-trapping Fungi

Species of nematode-trapping fungi isolated from three paddy fields and three fish ponds around Dianchi Lake in Yunnan province were compared.Those isolated from the fish ponds were fewer than those from the paddy fields and the dominant species in the two eco-environments were not the same.In the paddy fields Arbrostrys conoides was dominant in spring and fall and A.oligospora was dominant in summer and winter.Further in fall,species of nematode-trapping fungi were the most,then in spring,in summer and winter.However,in the fish ponds,Dactylellina ellipsosporum was dominant in spring,summer and winter and A.vermicola,in fall.In summer,species of nematode-trapping fungi were more than those in any of the rest seasons and the amount of species in the three seasons varied little.From the 300 samples collected in Hengyang part of Xiangjiang River in Hunan province,17 species of nematode-trapping fungi were isolated and identified.But the amount of the species varied from sample site to site.Those in waters of Dongzhou Island and new Xiangjiang Bridge were more than those in waters of Liao in Xiangjiang River.
Optimization Design of Deploying Mechanism of a Small Folding-wing

An optimal design method of deploying mechanism system of a small folding wing was discussed,by which a missile can prolong a flight distance.The dynamical equations of the deploying mechanism were established.The objective function and the constrained functions were built and the optimal design model for the deploying mechanism was formulated.The sequential quadratic programming(SQP) was used to solve the problems and the optimal system parameters were obtained.The advantages are that the system efficiency can be greatly improved and the optimal performances of the system are achieved.
Unit Load Optimal Dispatch Based on Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm

To overcome the easy convergence of standard particle swarm optimization algorithm,an improved particle swarm optimization based on unconstraint mechanism,border rebound rule,gaussian distribution sequences and chaotic sequence is proposed by the analysis of unit load optimal dispatch.The algorithm use unconstraint mechanism and border rebound rule to release the constraints,and introduce gaussian distribution sequences and chaotic sequence into the move process of particle.By the modification mentioned above,the optimal ability of the algorithm is improved.The simulation result show the proposed algorithm has the stable global optimization capability and provide a new approach for the unit load optimal dispatch.
Recommending Books for Children Based on the Collaborative and Content-Based Filtering Approaches

According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, reading is the single most important skill necessary for a happy, productive, and successful life. A child who is an excellent reader often has confident and a high level of self esteem and can easily make the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Promoting good reading habits among children is essential, given the enormous influence of reading on students’ development as learners and members of the society. Unfortunately, very few (children) websites or online applications recommend books to children, even though they can play a significant role in encouraging children to read. Popular book websites, such as goodreads.com, commonsensemedia.org, and readanybook.com, suggest books to children based on the popularity of books or rankings on books, which are not customized/personalized for each individual user and likely recommend books that users do not want or like. We have integrated the collaborative filtering (CF) approach and the content-based approach, in addition to predicting the grade levels of books, to recommend books for children. The user-based CF approaches filter books appealing to each user based on users’ ratings, whereas the content-based filtering method analyzes the descriptions of books rated by a user in the past and constructs a user profile to capture the user’s preferences. Recent research works have demonstrated that a hybrid approach, which combines the content-based filtering and CF approaches is more effective in making recommendations. Conducted empirical study has verified the effectiveness of our proposed children book recommender.