cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term results of resection of adenocarcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas using radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy procedure.

Background The radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) procedure is a modification of standard distal pancreatosplenectomy. It was designed to provide the operative approach developed for cancers of the head of the pancreas to cancers of the body and tail of the pancreas, particularly with respect to the extent of node dissection and emphasis on obtaining microscopically negative tangential margins. The purpose of this report is to provide long-term survival results. Study Design Forty-seven patients had RAMPS between 1999 and 2008. The decision to perform anterior vs posterior RAMPS was based on the position of the tumor as assessed by preoperative computed tomograms. Patients were entered in a prospective database and followed at intervals. Results Thirty-two patients had anterior RAMPS and 15 had posterior RAMPS. Twenty-four patients had resection of 33 organs in addition to the left adrenal gland in the posterior RAMPS. Specimens were inked in the operating room. Mean tumor size was 4.4 cm. Negative tangential margins were obtained in 89% of specimens. Overall, the R0 rate was 81%. Mean lymph node count was 18. There were no 30-day or in-hospital mortalities. Mean and median follow-up times of living patients were 44.4 and 26.4 months. Median survival was 26 months and 5-year overall actuarial survival was 35.5%. The actual survival of 23 patients whose surgery was performed more than 5 years before the time of analysis was 30.4%. Conclusions RAMPS is associated with high negative tangential margin rates and very satisfactory survival rates for this aggressive tumor.
Joint Maintenance and Production Planning by Maintenance-Optimal Swapping

Degradation is an inevitable course of any manufacturing tool, machine or system. The degradation of the health state of manufacturing tools results in some sort of an ineludible maintenance action which could be both costly and occurring during critical production time. In many manufacturing systems, a fleet of identical machines are assigned different tasks (or products) towards satisfying production requirements. We re-introduce the maintenance-optimal resource allocation planning scheme [1] (presented in MSEC2012) and focus on the solution of the generated mathematical model. The planning scheme, denoted as Degradation Based Optimal Swapping (DBOS), incorporates the optimal implementation of swapping scheduled tasks (or products) and allocating maintenance actions throughout a finite time horizon. The objective is to minimize projected maintenance costs and/or utilize the manufacturing productivity towards prescribed logistics and/or production goals. A DBOS-specific branch-and-bound-based optimization algorithm is developed to address the complexity in the generated model. Numerical results will demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm in comparison to standard optimization algorithms. DBOS planning scheme coupled with the proposed algorithm succeeds in establishing substantial savings in the simulated case studies which amount up to 70% of the estimated maintenance costs in comparison to the scenario where fixed scheduling is applied.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Private events in behavior analysis: Conceptual basis and clinical relevance

Behavior analysis has been criticized extensively since its inception. While most criticisms seem ill-informed, two foci that relate to behavior therapy seem to have significant validity: the behavior analytic conceptualization of private events and the dearth of demonstrated efficacy of this approach with adult outpatient populations. These two issues are related and seem to result from the fact that behavior analysts have largely ignored private events until recently. However, we believe that behavior analysis is developing a position on the role of private events that is consistent with the pragmatic, contextual, nonmentalistic perspective taken by behavior analysis. We attempt to present such a perspective here. Further, and in line with the natural science tenets underlying behavior analysis, this perspective is beginning to be supported by empirical research. Because the clinical relevance of any theoretical model is related to the degree to which it guides effective treatments, a recently developed therapeutic approach that uses a behavior analytic account of private events will be sketched.
Soft tissue mechanotransduction in wound healing and fibrosis

Recent evidence suggests that mechanical forces can significantly impact the biologic response to injury. Integrated mechanical and chemical signaling networks have been discovered that enable physical cues to regulate disease processes such as pathologic scar formation. Distinct molecular mechanisms control how tensional forces influence wound healing and fibrosis. Conceptual frameworks to understand cutaneous repair have expanded beyond traditional cell-cytokine models to include dynamic interactions driven by mechanical force and the extracellular matrix. Strategies to manipulate these biomechanical signaling networks have tremendous therapeutic potential to reduce scar formation and promote skin regeneration.
STUDIES ON VITAMIN D-RESISTANT RICKETS; EFFECTS OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE.

Abstract Two children and 1 adult with vitamin D-resistant rickets were treated with human growth hormone. In acute experiments the hormone increased the plasma phosphorus level, the renal reabsorption of phosphorus, and the urinary calcium excretion. In a balance study, HGH added to vitamin D appeared to increase the intestinal absorption and the retention of calcium. One of the children with active rickets was treated with hormone alone for 2 months, and hormone plus small doses of vitamin D 2 for another 2 months without any acceleration of growth or repair of the rickets.
Capacitated hierarchical clustering heuristic for multi depot location-routing problems

In this paper, we develop a hierarchical clustering-based heuristic for the multi-depot location-routing problem (MDLRP). We contribute to the literature in two ways. First, we develop two stopping rules for capacitated hierarchical clustering. Hierarchical clustering does not require a priori assumptions about the number of clusters. We test the performance of stopping rules that determine the number of clusters under various assumptions. Second, we compare the performance of our hierarchical clustering-based heuristic approach for the MDLRP with heuristics and meta-heuristics previously proposed in the literature. Our heuristic often finds lower costs on average than the heuristics proposed in the literature and generates solutions within 4%, on average, of various meta-heuristic approaches proposed in the literature. As a result of this level of performance, we suggest that this heuristic can be used as a simple solution or a warm start solution for any improvement procedure.
Optimal multi-scale patterns in time series streams

We introduce a method to discover optimal local patterns, which concisely describe the main trends in a time series. Our approach examines the time series at multiple time scales (i.e., window sizes) and efficiently discovers the key patterns in each. We also introduce a criterion to select the best window sizes, which most concisely capture the key oscillatory as well as aperiodic trends. Our key insight lies in learning an optimal orthonormal transform from the data itself, as opposed to using a predetermined basis or approximating function (such as piecewise constant, short-window Fourier or wavelets), which essentially restricts us to a particular family of trends. We go one step further, lifting even that limitation. Furthermore, our method lends itself to fast, incremental estimation in a streaming setting. Experimental evaluation shows that our method can capture meaningful patterns in a variety of settings. Our streaming approach requires order of magnitude less time and space, while still producing concise and informative patterns.
Spontaneous contractions of cultured heart cells in high K+ media.

Abstract Cultured chick embryonic heart cells became partially depolarized and stopped beating when [K+]0 reached 50–70 mM by addition of KCl to the bathing medium. However, some cells beat spontaneously for many days when cultured chronically in media containing 65, 86, and 98 mM [K+]0 ([Na+]0 correspondingly reduced). In high [K+]0, neighboring cells contracted independently of each other, whereas in normal K+ (2.7 mM) they contracted synchronously. The cells contracted in response to mechanical prodding and to externally-applied stimulating current about tenfold greater than normal intensity. Intracellularly-recorded resting potentials (Em) were 1–11 mV and agree with values obtained from cells acutely exposed to high K+. Thus, [K+]i is not significantly changed when cells are chronically bathed in an elevated K+ solution. Large resting and action potentials rapidly returned following change to a low [K+]0 medium. Neither depolarizing nor hyperpolarizing current pulses elicited action potentials in high K+. Most cells stopped beating immediately after impalement. Of the few cells that continued to contract, some displayed small oscillations of Em (2–4 mV) synchronous with beating; however, no oscillations were observed in most cells. Hence, contraction of cells in high K+ need not be controlled by changes in Em. Ba2+ and Sr2+ (5–10 mM) enhanced excitability, allowing anodal-break action potentials to occur. Ba2+ caused no change in resting Em but increased input resistance; Sr2+ rapidly hyperpolarized by 8–25 mV and produced spontaneous action potentials. Since Em = EK in high [K+]0, the Sr2+-induced hyperpolarization may reflect an increased rate of ion pumping. In conclusion, the membrane properties of cultured heart cells chronically exposed to high K+ solutions are no different than those of cells acutely exposed. With either acute or chronic exposure to high K+ solutions, many K+-depolarized cells contract cyclically without accompanying changes in membrane potential.
Corrigendum to “Identification of a mesothelioma phenotype”

a Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Immunologic Diseases, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1054, USA b Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Public Health Sciences and Center for Human Genomics, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1054, USA c School of Public Health, Saint Louis University Health Science Center, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
Functional calcium-sensing receptor expression in ovarian surface epithelial cells

Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether human ovarian surface epithelial cells express calcium-sensing receptors and whether changes in extracellular calcium modulate the proliferation of these cells. Study design: Ovarian surface epithelial cells from normal patients and from ovarian tumors were tested for calcium-sensing receptor expression by Northern hybridization and immunoblot analysis. Functional responses to agonists of the calcium-sensing receptor were monitored by inositol triphosphate analysis and measurements of intracellular calcium release. The effect of extracellular calcium on proliferation was monitored by thymidine incorporation and growth curve analysis. Results: Increasing extracellular calcium above 0.8 mmol/L produces a marked proliferative response in normal ovarian surface epithelial cells. Both normal and transformed cells express calcium-sensing receptor messenger ribonucleic acid and protein; some tumor lines overexpress calcium-sensing receptor messenger ribonucleic acid. The calcium-sensing receptors in normal ovarian surface epithelial cells respond to the agonist gadolinium with increases in inositol triphosphate production and calcium release. Conclusion: Human ovarian surface epithelial cells are growth regulated by extracellular calcium, and calcium-sensing receptors may mediate this response.
Gas phase investigations of sulfonium salts by electrospray ft-icr/ms

Abstract Twelve sulfonium salts were studied by electrospray Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Collisionally activated dissociation, CAD, reactions, using neutral argon as the collision gas, were performed to investigate dissociation pathways in the gas phase and to study the stabilizing/destabilizing effects of electron donating/withdrawing substituents on the sulfonium ions. Ion-molecule reactions were attempted to identify SN2 reaction mechanisms, but to date we have detected exclusively SN1-type reactions in the gas phase. Literature reports on the mass spectrometry of sulfonium cations are reviewed.
Improving patient understanding of prescription drug label instructions.

Background Patient misunderstanding of instructions on prescription drug labels is common and a likely cause of medication error and less effective treatment.
Comparison of Long-Wave Infrared Imaging and Visible/Near-Infrared Imaging of Vegetation for Detecting Leaking ${\rm CO}_2$ Gas

Recent research demonstrated that ${\mmb CO}_{\mmb 2}$ gas leaking from underground can be identified by observing increased stress in overlying vegetation using spectral imaging. This has been accomplished with both visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) sunlight reflection and long-wave infrared (LWIR) thermal emission. During a 4-week period in summer 2011, a controlled ${\mmb CO}_{\mmb 2}$ release experiment was conducted in Bozeman, Montana, as part of a study of methods for monitoring carbon sequestration facilities. As part of this experiment, reflective and emissive imagers were deployed together to enable a comparison of these two types of imaging systems for vegetation-based ${\mmb CO}_{\mmb 2}$ leak detection. A linear regression was performed using time as the response variable with red and NIR reflectances, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and LWIR brightness temperature as predictors. The regression study showed that the reflectance and LWIR brightness temperature data together explained the most variability in the data (96%), equal to the performance of the Vis/NIR reflectance data alone, followed by NDVI alone (90%), and LWIR data alone (44%). Therefore, the two types of imagers contributed in a synergistic fashion, while either method alone was capable of gas detection with increased statistical variability.
Recapturing Lost Images: Narratives of a Black Business Enclave

When the material culture of a community is dislodged, displaced, or demolished, it is easy to forget the more abstract components of the defunct community that made it functional, active, and vital. This is especially true when a gradual but seemingly inevitable deterioration of the community's most formidable social symbols precedes its ultimate physical destruction. Moreover, it is easy to forget the history, overlook the purposes, and diminish the value of the community when larger political forces adamantly justify the community's demise in the name of change, modernization, and urban progress. Thus is the cultural and political history of Tampa's Central Avenue. Similar to other urban Black business districts (such as those established in Miami, Florida and Tulsa, Oklahoma), Central Avenue served the needs of Black consumers during the long, difficult years of social segregation accompanied by limited consumer and mercantile options. With the passage of time, the old buildings that housed a variety ...
High-Throughput Plasmid Mini Preparations Facilitated by Micro-Mixing

We have developed a reliable high-throughput plasmid isolation system using a 96-well plate format. This system combines a novel glass bead micro-mixing method with modified alkaline lysis and Sephacryl S-500 DNA purification procedures. Mechanical forces generated by vortexing glass beads inside each well of the 96-well plates ensure that the bacterial pellets are homogeneously resuspended, the cells are completely lyzed, and the resulting bacterial lysates are thoroughly mixed with the potassium acetate solution. The vortexing speed and duration for glass bead mixing have been standardized to facilitate plasmid DNA yields without significant adjustments.
Conformational energies and configurational statistics of copolypeptides containing L-proline.

Abstract The conformational energy calculated for a trans - l -prolyl residue when isolated from other prolyl residues in a polypeptide chain is characterized by two minima of comparable energy occurring near ψ = 125 ° (A) and ψ = 325 ° (C), where ψ is the angle of rotation about the C ∞ C bond; the angle φ of rotation about the NC ∞ bond is fixed at approx. 122 ° by the pyrrolidine ring. The compact conformation (A), approximating that of the right-handed α-helix, is precluded by steric interactions for any l -residue (e.g. Ala or Pro) which is succeeded by l -Pro, such residues being forced to adopt the more extended (C) form resembling the predominant conformation for residues of the type of l -Ala in random-coiled polypeptides. Residues following l -Pro in the chain sequence are not subject to special constraints. Thus, a prolyl residue may not occur within an α-helix, except as the first unit of an α-helical sequence. These deductions from the conformational energies of the l -Pro residue and of the residue preceding it in the polypeptide chain are confirmed by residue conformations in myoglobin and in lysozyme. The accessibility of the conformation A for an isolated l -Pro residue accounts for its capacity to accommodate sharp turns in the skeletal conformation of a native protein. Mean square dimensions, 〈 r 2 〉 o , have been calculated for random-coiled copolypeptides of l -alanine and/or glycine with small proportions of trans - l -proline, sequences of two or more Pro residues being excluded from consideration. The average dimensions (〈 r 2 〉 o ) of poly- l -alanine are depressed by l -Pro to a degree which depends on the incidence of conformation A, i.e. on the energy of A below C. Copolymers of l -Ala with Gly containing a low proportion of Gly are affected similarly by l -Pro. In the presence of a large proportion of Gly, the effect on 〈 r 2 〉 o of a minor amount of l -Pro is insignificant. The bearing of these calculations on the dimensions of reduced proteins in the random-coiled state is discussed.
Application of a Weibull Stress Model to Predict the Failure of Surface and Embedded Cracks in Large Scale Beams Made of Clad and Unclad RPV Steel

Within the European Network NESC, the project NESC IV deals with constraint effects of cracks in large scale beam specimens, loaded by uni- or biaxial bending moments and containing surface or embedded cracks. The specimens are fabricated from original US RPV material, being cladded or cladding is removed. All large scale tests have been conducted at ORNL outside the NESC IV project. The outcome and the analyses of these uncladded and cladded beams containing the surface or embedded cracks are shown. By means of the finite element method, local approach methods and the Weibull stress models the specimens are analysed at the test temperatures and the probability of failure is calculated, taking into account constraint effects. For the case of the embedded cracks it turned out that the failure moment of the uncladded beam is 5% lower than the one of the cladded beam. Both crack fronts of the embedded crack are supposed to fail at the same failure moment. The results of the analysis of the cladded beam showed that the upper crack front nearer to the surface fails prior to the lower crack front, which is located deeper in the specimen (the failure moment is 5% lower). The numerical results agree very well with the experiments. The experimental failure moments could be well predicted and the failure scenario (which crack front fails first) could be determined. A theoretical shift in the transition temperature T0 due to constraint effects could be defined for both crack fronts.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Atomic Stabilization by Super-Intense Lasers

Supercomputer simulations predict the creation of an unexpectedly stable form of atomic matter when ordinary atoms are irradiated by very intense, high-frequency laser pulses. In the rising edge of a very intense pulse of ionizing radiation, the atom's wave function distorts adiabatically into a distribution with two well-separated peaks. As the intensity increases, the peak spacing increases so that the atomic electron spends more time far from the nucleus and the ionization rate decreases. This leads to the surprising and counter-intuitive result that the atom becomes more stable as the ionizing radiation gets stronger.
Estimating Cutting Force Coefficients in High-Speed Low-Radial-Immersion Milling Processes

A high-speed milling system is considered, which is prone to chatter vibration, a stability condition dependent on system parameters (e.g., cutting force coefficients). This work is motivated by the need for model parameters which can be used in stability analysis. An Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is proposed to estimate cutting force coefficients for each tooth in a low-radial-immersion milling process to aid chatter stability prediction. The proposed EKF utilizes tool deflection measurements and no force measurements. The model used in the EKF is found to be observable, a quality required to achieve valid state estimations. Running the EKF with experimental tool deflection measurements produces estimates of cutting force coefficients that result in good correlation between simulation (using the estimated coefficients) and experiment. Such an EKF may help customize chatter stability analysis to any particular tool-workpiece system.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Probing the Arenium-Ion (ProtonTransfer) versus the Cation-Radical (Electron Transfer) Mechanism of Scholl Reaction Using DDQ as Oxidant

DDQ/H+ system readily oxidizes a variety of electron donors with oxidation potential as high as ∼1.7 V to the corresponding cation radicals. A re-examination of the controversial arenium-ion versus cation-radical mechanisms for Scholl reaction using DDQ/H+ together with commonly utilized FeCl3 as oxidants led us to demonstrate that the reaction proceeds largely via a cation-radical mechanism. The critical experimental evidence in support of a cation-radical pathway for the Scholl reaction includes the following: (i) There is no reaction in Scholl precursors in a mixture of dichloromethane and various acids (10% v/v). (ii) The necessity to use powerful oxidants such as ferric chloride (FeCl3) or DDQ/H+ for Scholl reactions is inconsistent with the arenium-ion mechanism in light of the fact that aromatization of the dihydro intermediates (formed via arenium-ion mechanism) can be easily accomplished with rather weak oxidants such as iodine or air. (iii) Various Scholl precursors with oxidation potentials ≤1....
Decision preparation, satisfaction and regret in a multi-center sample of men with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer

Abstract Objective To describe relationships between use of the Personal Patient Profile-Prostate (P3P) decision support system and patient characteristics, and perceived preparation for decision making (PrepDM), satisfaction and decisional regret in the context of prostate cancer treatment choice. Methods 494 men with localized prostate cancer (LPC) were randomized to receive the P3P intervention or usual care and completed pre-treatment, 1-month and 6-month outcome measures. Multivariable linear regression models were fit for each outcome. Results Physician consult visits prior to enrollment, race/ethnicity, and use of clinic-provided books were significant predictors of perceived PrepDM at 1 month. Prior Internet use and PrepDM significantly predicted 6-month decision satisfaction. Decisional regret was significantly predicted by demographics, anxiety, PrepDM score, and EPIC bowel domain score at 6 months. Use of P3P did not predict any outcome. Conclusion While the P3P intervention did not significantly affect the outcomes, pre-enrollment information and preparation were strong predictors of the 1- and 6-month outcomes. Decision regret was significantly influenced by personal characteristics and post-treatment symptoms/side effects. Practice implications Information received and used between biopsy and the treatment options consult visit is likely to make a difference in decision satisfaction.
Recent formulations of e ± -H, e - -He + , e - -He scattering: Multichannel theory and comparison with experiment

Abstract Following a short discussion of the physics of electron-atom collisions, the formulation of multichannel theories of electron (positron) atom (ion) scattering are reviewed for the cases of purely elastic scattering, inelastic scattering with a small number of open channels, and intermediate energy (large number of open channels) scattering. The problem of large or infinite numbers of open channels is discussed in terms of the “effective” channels implicit in the use of the various pseudo state, or channel discretization approaches. Recent theoretical and computational results for elastic e±−H atom scattering, e−−He+ (1s→2s) excitation, and elastic e−-He scattering are summarized and where possible compared with experiment. Finally a few remarks are made regarding the problem of the three charged particle final states at or near threshold.
Science and the Unobservable

PROF. KENNAED, in a discussion on the topic “Science and the Observable” 1 remarked: “Recognition of the limited scope of its generalizations and indifference to the unattainable seem to be two of the most valuable traits of the modern scientific method, as contrasted with the speculations of the medieval philosophers.”
Ectoenzyme kinetics in Florida Bay: Implications for bacterial carbon source and nutrient status

Ectoenzyme kinetics [alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase (AM), lipase, α-glucosidase, and β-glucosidase] were determined over a seasonal cycle at four stations, Little Madeira Bay (northeast), Duck Key (east), Bob Allen Key (south-central), and Whipray Basin (north-central), which represent distinct regions of Florida Bay. Spatial and temporal variations in ectoenzyme kinetics were related to biotic and abiotic drivers in order to discern potential ectoenzyme substrate sources. Generally, ectoenzyme activities were higher in the central bay and lowest in the eastern bay. One pronounced exception was AM activity, which was highest at the mangrove fringe along the northeastern bay and reflected increased contribution of organic nitrogen inputs from upstream Everglades wetlands. When ectoenzymes were normalized to bacterial abundances, these trends dissipated and highest cell-specific activities were observed consistently in the south-central region. Relationships between ectoenzyme kinetics and environmental and biological parameters were complex, but three main spatially determined differences were discernable. Ectoenzyme kinetics were controlled by phosphorus availability in the eastern bay, by organic matter availability in the south-central bay, by microbial community composition and organic matter availability in northeastern bay (wetlands transition area), and by microbial community composition in the north-central bay. These differences in enzyme kinetics further support the hypothesis of distinct microbial communities in different regions of Florida Bay and provide insight into biogeochemical cycles and the microbial food web within Florida Bay.
Importance of sanguineous component of perfusate on post ischemic contractile function in the isolated rabbit heart.

The isolated, perfused, beating heart is free of interaction with other physiological systems and is suitable for the study of recovery of myocardial function following ischemia.
On-chip electric field driven assembly of biocomposites from live cells and functionalized particles

Live cells and surface-functionalized synthetic microparticles are co-assembled on electrically controlled chips to yield permanent chains and one cell layer thick membranes that can be freely manipulated in external magnetic fields.
A SPATIALLY-VARYING PARAMETER MODEL OF AFDC PARTICIPATION: EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS USING THE EXPANSION METHOD*

Spatial variation in the importance of determinants of participation in the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (AFDC) is investigated for the U.S. Casetti's Expansion Method is applied to the two-dimensional space domain by making the model's parameters a function of state x–y centroids. The spatially-varying parameter model suggests that the black population's association with participation is lowest in the Southeast and Northwest and greatest in the Southwest and Northeast.
Of Polls, Mountains U.S. Journalists and Their Use of Election Surveys

Polls are a prominent feature of U.S. election news coverage. Although polls are used to explain voter opinion, they are employed mostly to fuel horse-race coverage and to craft images consis- tent with the candidates' positions in the race. Moreover, U.S. journalists sometimes misinterpret polls by slighting the possibility that changes in candidate preference are the result of survey error rather than real change. On balance, U.S. journalists' dependence on polls adversely affects the quality of American election coverage. Everyone knows that Harry Truman charged from behind in 1948 to edge out Thomas Dewey on the strength of his "give-'em-hell" style and a barnstorm- ing whistle-stop campaign that traversed America. Truman's blunt talk and boundless energy captured Americans' imagination, gaining their confidence and winning their votes. Truman's closing rush makes a nice story, but it was not the story that jour- nalists told during the 1948 campaign. Instead, the press portrayed Truman as a weak candidate whose stridency was a sign of desperation. In its November 1, 1948, issue, Newsweek described Truman as "a woefully weak little man, a nice enough fellow but wholly inept." Although some reporters believed Truman was making inroads, they were far outnumbered by the skeptics. In a front-page story the day before the election, the New York Times declared, "The rosy prospect of victory for the Truman ticket on Election Day finds no credence outside Mr. Truman's kitchen cabinet." Time polled forty-seven journalists; all of them predicted a Truman defeat. America's journalists were suffering from a shortage of polls. America's leading polling firm, Gallup, released its final survey three weeks before the election, which, like earlier ones, showed Truman far off the lead. Expecting him to lose, reporters supplied Truman with an image fit for a loser.
Leaf expansion, net CO2 uptake, Rubisco activity, and efficiency of long-term biomass gain for the common desert subshrub Encelia farinosa

Encelia farinosa is one of the most abundant and highly studied species of the Sonoran Desert, yet characteristics of its leaf development and long-term photosynthetic capacity are relatively unknown. The net CO2 uptake rate and the Rubisco activity per unit leaf area for E. farinosa in a glasshouse increased in parallel for about 18 days after leaf emergence (leaf area was then 5 cm2), after which both were constant, suggesting that Rubisco levels controlled net CO2 uptake. Instantaneous net CO2 uptake rates at noon for well-watered E. farinosa in the glasshouse at different temperatures and light levels correctly predicted differences in daily net CO2 uptake at four seasonally diverse times for transplanted plants under irrigated conditions in the field but overpredicted the daily means by 13%. After this correction, seasonally adjusted net CO2 uptake per unit leaf area multiplied by the estimated monthly leaf area predicted that 42% of the net carbon gain was incorporated into plant dry weight over a 17-month period. The ecological success of E. farinosa apparently reflects an inherently high daily net CO2 uptake and retention of a substantial fraction of its leaf carbon gain.
Monolithic High-Voltage GaN MOSFET/Schottky Pair with Reverse Blocking Capability

We report on a high voltage, reverse blocking GaN MOS-gated transistor switch which integrates a n-channel lateral GaN MOSFET with a Schottky diode. The device, with RESURF lengths up to 18 mum, exhibits good DC characteristics with forward and reverse blocking voltages as high as 770 V and 1050 V respectively.
Repurposing American Labor Law: Immigrant Workers, Workers' Centers and the National Labor Relations Act

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935 has been widely portrayed as an anachronistic piece of legislation that needs to be reformed or abandoned. In the absence of reform, many US labor un...
International Rentierism in the Middle East Africa, 1971–2008

What is the trend in rentierism in the Middle East and North Africa? Defining a rentier state as one that extracts a significant share of its revenues from rents extracted from international transactions, we examine a range of such transactions that together constitute a third or more of the Middle East/North Africa economies. Outlining a rentierism index that is based on the share of GDP stemming from oil/mineral exports, foreign military and economic aid, worker remittances, and international tourism, we show that rentierism is growing and that 18 of the 22 Middle East/North Africa states depend for over a third of their GDP on these international transactions. Some depend on direct rents stemming from oil/mineral exports and foreign aid, while others rely increasingly on indirect rents from remittances and tourism. This split between direct and indirect rents has implications for the political stability of these states, because it creates states that are more or less able to maintain control in the fac...
TU-FF-A1-04: Determining Parameters for a Multiple-Source Model of a Linear Accelerator Using Optimization Techniques

Purpose: To determine the parameters of a multiple‐source model for an arbitrary linear accelerator using optimization methods.Method and Materials: A multiple‐source model describing the energy fluence output of a linear accelerator was developed in this study. A point source modeled radiation from the target, a finite‐size source all extra‐focal radiation, and an electron sourcecontaminant particles. The parameters determined were the mean energy curve (for off‐axis softening), intensity profile curve (for non‐uniform photon energy fluence), electron source values, extra‐focal source size, energy, and intensity. The parameters were optimized by minimizing the gamma error between the dose calculation results and the beam data measurements by applying a non‐linear optimization technique not requiring gradient information. The dose was calculated by an algorithm based on superposition/convolution of Monte Carlo determined scatter kernels. The beam data measurements required were depth dose curves, lateral profiles, and diagonal profiles for multiple field sizes. The model requires minimal data about the internal dimensions and construction of the accelerator head. Results: The method was applied to 231 realistic data sets of varying quality and consistency for Elekta, Siemens and Varian accelerators. The gamma error (1%, 3 mm) for an average optimized model was lower than 1.0 for 98% of the measurement points. Typical duration of the optimization to derive the model parameters was 5–15 minutes. In cases where the measurements contained inconsistencies, the resulting gamma errors were significant, which indicates that the method could be useful in quality assurance of measurement data. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the parameters for a multiple‐source model can be determined in an efficient and stable manner using optimization methods. The model is applicable to an arbitrary accelerator and has clinically acceptable accuracy and execution time. Conflict of Interest: This work was supported by Varian Medical Systems.
Reading History Forward: The Origins of Electoral Systems in European Democracies:

This article reexamines the reconfiguration of electoral systems in European democracies in the first age of democratization. Rather than asking why some countries maintained the status quo whereas others “switched” to proportional representation (PR), the author argues that both single-member plurality (SMP) and PR were departures from the predemocratic electoral institutions in most of Europe. At the time they were introduced, SMP and PR were understood as two functionally equivalent alternative safeguards of the position of right parties against the consequences of suffrage expansion. The choice of either system depended not on the level of threat that democratization posed (because both were designed with this threat in mind) but instead on the compatibility of each system with right parties’ preexisting broader strategies to contain the rise of socialist parties. The author illustrates these points by analyzing two paradigmatic cases: the United Kingdom, the first to formally adopt SMP, and Belgium, ...
Orthogonally Stiffened Cylindrical Shells Subjected to Internal Pressure

Comprehensive investigation of two configurations of stiffened cylindrical shells subjected to internal pressure are made and illustrated by C-5A fuselage-type examples. One configuration has equally spaced longitudinal stringers and circumferential rings, while the other has uniform circumferential reinforcing bands (straps) added between every two rings. The skin, stringers, and rings are treated as distinct individual elements. The interactions among the elements are coupled by requiring compatible deformations along all element intersections. Numerical results for stiffened shells with, and without, reinforcing circumferential straps based on C-5A fuselage material parameters and dimensions are shown as plots of displacements and of inner and outer fiber stresses at various locations. The plotted results show that the straps, which are located midway between every two rings, used on C-5A fuselage are highly effective in equalizing stress levels throughout the stiffened shell, with associated reduction of maximum stress levels. This reduction will produce significant benefits in fatigue strength performance where fuselage pressurization and depressurization are predominant, and in resistance to damage propagation.
Complement receptors CD21 and CD35 in humoral immunity

The complement system is a family of proteins that is involved in both innate and adaptive immunity. Complement receptors CD21 and CD35, which recognize activated products of C3 and C4, are predominantly expressed on B cells and follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in the mouse. In this review, we focus on the role of FDC-expressed CD21 and CD35 in humoral immunity. They are the principle receptors for uptake and retention of immune complexes. In their absence, memory B-cell survival is markedly impaired. This is likely because of the lack of antigen but could also reflect a role for complement C3d ligand. How antigen is transported to FDCs remains an open question. In recent unpublished work using multiphoton intravital imaging, we found that small protein antigens presented in the lymph drain rapidly into B-cell follicles and are taken up by FDCs in a complement-dependent manner.
An architecture of network imprinting for personal but wide area applications

Since the number of networked devices in the future ubiquitous network will grow explosively, one of the major problems for such networks is the scalability problem. In this paper, we consider the network imprinting approach, where imprinting is a process to register other devices owned by the same person. After the imprinting process, all devices of the same owner constitute a group, in which the devices perform rendezvous and handover management in the end-to-end fashion. To implement the device imprinting approach, we propose a network architecture, called Inter-device Imprinting on the Internet (I/sub 3/). I/sub 3/ is a promising approach to solve the scalability problem.
Blockage of pupillodilation with cyclotron- accelerated alpha particles.

Blockage of electrically evoked pupillodilation in cat by irradiating hypothalamus with cyclotron- accelerated alpha particles
Hierarchical clustering using deterministic annealing

The authors present a new approach to the problem of hierarchical clustering. The method implements an approximation to joint optimization over all levels of the hierarchy, utilizing deterministic annealing to improve the clustering solution. Similar to the splitting algorithm, cluster nodes at all tree levels are placed at generalized region centroids. In this method, though, the node centroids are updated to explicitly enforce desired classification at the leaves, and to approximate the unconstrained clustering solution. The approach was demonstrated to avoid local minima that trap the splitting algorithm and to obtain a performance improvement for a normal mixture source and a speech source. >
Precooking Method Affects Warmed-over Flavor of Broiler Breast Patties

Broiler breast patties cooked in a water bath (85°C vs 95°C) or oven (160°C vs 180°C) to an internal temperature of 83°C were stored at 3°C foT 3 days, reheated, and evaluated by headspace GC and thio-barbituric acid (TBA) methods. Cooking temperature within the same cooking medium had no effect on TBA values or headspace GC profiles of cooked, stored samples. During post-cooking storage TBA values and several headspace volatiles increased. The changes were more severe in oven-cooked than water-cooked patties, which could have been partly due to lower moisture content of the oven-cooked patties. Significant correlations were found between TBA values and several major headspace volatiles (pentanal, hexanal, heptanal, and total volatiles).
Linear and nonlinear quantification of respiratory sinus arrhythmia during propofol general anesthesia

Quantitative evaluation of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) may provide important information in clinical practice of anesthesia and postoperative care. In this paper, we apply a point process method to assess dynamic RSA during propofol general anesthesia. Specifically, an inverse Gaussian probability distribution is used to model the heartbeat interval, whereas the instantaneous mean is identified by a linear or bilinear bivariate regression on the previous R-R intervals and respiratory measures. The estimated second-order bilinear interaction allows us to evaluate the nonlinear component of the RSA. The instantaneous RSA gain and phase can be estimated with an adaptive point process filter. The algorithm’s ability to track non-stationary dynamics is demonstrated using one clinical recording. Our proposed statistical indices provide a valuable quantitative assessment of instantaneous cardiorespiratory control and heart rate variability (HRV) during general anesthesia.
Concentration and Stress Evolution During Electromigration in Passivated Al(0.25 at. % Cu) Conductor Lines

We have used x-ray microbeam fluorescence and diffraction for in-situ measurements of electromigration-induced Cu diffusion and stress evolution in passivated, polycrystalline 10μm-wide, 200μm-long Al(0.25 at.% Cu) conductor lines. Cu migration is in the direction of the electron flow and is determined by the direction and magnitude of the current and by the temperature during electromigration. The effective charge and diffusivity of Cu in Al(Cu) have been obtained from analysis of the Cu concentration profiles. The evolution of electromigration-induced strains normal to the sample surface has been monitored by x-ray microbeam diffraction. A linear strain profile developed after about 9 hrs of electromigration with 1.5×105 A/cm2 at 300°C, corresponding to 3MPa/μm equi-biaxial stress. From the Cu profile measured at the same time, the critical Cu concentration for significantly slowing down Al grain boundary diffusion is estimated to be ∼0.15 at. %. These data also confirm that downstream Cu transport is accompanied by a counter flow of Al in the upstream direction.
Technological opinion leadership: The role of personal innovativeness, gadget love, and technological innovativeness

Abstract This study contributes to existing literature by developing and testing a model of factors that drive technological opinion leadership (TOL). We expand Bruner and Kumar's ( 2007 ) study by empirically testing the relationships between technological innovativeness and technological opinion leadership and between gadget lovers and technological innovativeness using a student sample and a national sample. We also contribute to the literature by (a) testing the relationships between personal innovativeness, technological innovativeness, and gadget lovers, and (b) investigating the mediational role of gadget lovers between personal innovativeness and technological innovativeness. Results indicate: (1) technological innovativeness and gadget lovers are predictors of technological opinion leadership, (2) personal innovativeness is positively related to technological innovativeness and gadget lovers, and (3) gadget lovers partially mediate the relationship between personal innovativeness and technological innovativeness. Implications for managers and scholars are provided based on the two studies' results.
Lysosome-Associated Membrane Protein-2: A Major Player in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Pancreatitis.

The mechanisms involved in the development of either acute or chronic pancreatitis are not well understood, but previous reports have suggested that the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis may involve a blockade of autophagic flux. 1 In the current issue ofCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mareninova et al 2 from the Gukovskaya and Lerch groups have reported the results of studies investigating the role of lysosome-associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2) in the development of acute and chronic pancreatitis and in the regulation of successful autophagy in pancreatic acinar cells. In their report, they show that LAMP-1 and LAMP-2 levels are reduced in pancreas samples obtained from patients with acute pancreatitis, and they also note that similar changes occur during the evolution of five different animal models of acute pancreatitis. They find that this reduction in LAMP-2 levels occurs during the early phases of experimental pancreatitis and that it appears to be the result of LAMP-2 digestion by the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin B. The authors used LAMP-2–deficient mice in an attempt to evaluate whether there may be a cause and effect mechanism involved, and they found that the pancreatic acinar cells in LAMP-2 / mice contain reduced levels of amylase and trypsinogen as well as zymogen granules, suggesting that LAMP-2 is instrumental in maintaining pancreatic acinar cell homeostasis. The pancreatic acinar cells in LAMP-2 / mice exhibit
Neoadjuvant Tyrosine Kinase Downstaging of T2 Renal Cell Carcinoma in Solitary Kidney Before Robotic Partial Nephrectomy.

Abstract We highlight the use of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, pazopanib, for neoadjuvant downstaging a 7.4 cm right biopsy-proven clear cell renal-cell carcinoma in a solitary kidney before surgical intervention of robotic partial nephrectomy with retrograde cooling to induce cold ischemia in a 79-year-old male.
Anterior dislocation of the distal end of the ulna after use of a compression plate for the treatment of a Galeazzi fracture. A case report.

Fractures of the distal aspect of the radial diaphysis associated with a disruption of the distal radio-ulnar joint were first described in 1822 by Sir Astley Cooper 8,9 , although they are eponymically referred to as Galeazzi fractures on the basis of the series of eighteen patients reported on by Galeazzi in 1934. We know of no study reporting successful production of a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation by closed means'°'«, but the most widely accepted mechanism of injury is a fall on an outstretched hand with hyperpronation 7,9,15 . Non-operative treatment of these injuries has been reported to fail in as many as 80 per cent of patients 9