cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolated visual production cues (mouth shape) and isolated auditory cues (initial phoneme) may selectively promote word retrieval in some individuals with aphasia

This review provides a summary and appraisal commentary on the treatment review by Wunderlich, A., & Zeigler, W. (2010). Facilitation of picture-naming in anomic subjects: Sound vs. mouth shape. Aphasiology, 25, 202–220. Source of funding and disclosure of interest: This study was supported by a grant from the German Research Foundation (Zi 469/5–1, 5–2), and the original authors of this research do not report any conflicts of interest.
Static Friction Experiments and Verification of an Improved Elastic-Plastic Model Including Roughness Effects

An experimental study was conducted to measure the static friction coefficient under constant normal load and different interface conditions. These include surface roughness, dwell time, displacement rate, as well as the presence of traces of lubricant and wear debris at the interface. The static friction apparatus includes accurate measurement of friction, normal and lateral forces at the interface (using a high dynamic bandwidth piezoelectric force transducer), as well as precise motion control and measurement of the sliding mass. The experimental results show that dry surfaces are more dependent on the displacement rate prior to sliding inception compared to boundary lubricated surfaces in terms of static friction coefficient. Also, the presence of wear debris, boundary lubrication, and rougher surfaces decrease the static friction coefficient significantly compared to dry smooth surfaces. The experimental measurements under dry unlubricated conditions were subsequently compared to an improved elastic-plastic static friction model, and it was found that the model captures the experimental measurements of dry surfaces well in terms of the surface roughness. DOI: 10.1115/1.2768074
The observation of solvent-dependent proton-transfer / charge-transfer lasers from 4' -diethylamino-3-hydroxyflavone

Abstract Unusual lasing features of 4'-diethylamino-3-hydroxyflavone (I) are reported. Lasing action is observed for both proton-transfer and charge-transfer emissions. A wide range of lasing frequencies can be obtained over a range of 535–575 nm, depending on the chosen solvents.
Anthropotherapy-Toward Theory and Practice

It was the American philosopher, Charles Peirce, who first persuasively contended that concepts have the power to remake reality by discharging into meanings that were not hitherto available to some part of man's experience — concepts that enable man thereby to reinterpret and often to control that experience so that no longer does it mean what it meant before.
Impact of Lipid Physical State on the Oxidation of Methyl Linolenate in Oil-in-Water Emulsions

The purpose of this research was to examine the influence of the physical state of lipids on iron-promoted oxidation of methyl linolenate in octadecane oil-in-water emulsions. Octadecane and methyl...
Cloning, expression and functional characterization of cytochrome P450 3A37 from turkey liver with high aflatoxin B1 epoxidation activity.

Cytochrome P450s (P450) play an important role in the formation of carcinogenic and mutagenic electrophilic intermediates from a wide range of xenobiotics, including naturally occurring dietary com...
Electroporation: Parameters affecting transfer of DNA into mammalian cells

Electroporation, the reversible breakdown of cell membranes caused by a high-voltage discharge, is a rapid, simple, and efficient method for introducing DNA into mammalian cells. An instrument for electroporation which permits the high-voltage discharge waveform to be varied with respect to rise time, peak voltage, and fall time is described. The uptake and expression of SV40 DNA following electroporation of two cell types, a human carcinoma-derived cell line, HEp-2, and a human lymphoblastoid cell line, 721, depended on the peak voltage and the fall time of the voltage discharge. The electronic parameters which produced optimum DNA transfer, however, differed for the two cell types. DNA as large as 150 kb was introduced into cells by electroporation. Cells can be electroporated in either phosphate-buffered saline or culture medium containing fetal bovine serum, and the efficiency of DNA transfer does not vary with cell densities from 10(6) to 2 X 10(7)/0.5 ml. Exposing the cells to multiple voltage discharges did not improve DNA transfer. DNA has been introduced by electroporation into all cell types tested, including human carcinoma-derived cell lines, human lymphoblastoid cell lines, human fibroblast strains, and primary human lymphocytes. To obtain maximal DNA transfer by this method, however, one must optimize the peak voltage and fall time of the discharge waveform for each cell type.
Atmospheric analysis using a microwave plasma ionization source and ion trap mass spectrometry

Abstract The on-line detection of both positive and negative ions has been demonstrated using a microwave plasma ionization source coupled with an ion trap mass spectrometer. Real-time xenon and krypton isotope measurements in air were made using either supplemental helium or atmospheric argon for plasma generation. The halogen signature from an organic molecule was detected as a negative ion using a helium plasma. Two instrument configurations have been assembled, one combining a microwave plasma source, an injection lens, and the ion trap; in the second assembly, a radiofrequency-only quadrupole mass filter was inserted between the lens and the ion trap. Most of the data reported here were acquired with the first configuration, although preliminary data with the second configuration has been taken. General operating parameters are discussed. The precision of xenon isotope ratio measurements ranged from 0.8% to 5% relative standard deviation, depending on the magnitude of the ratio.
Throughput Optimization of Cognitive Radio Networks

In this paper, we study the problem of finding the maximum throughput achievable by secondary users while primary users are guaranteed to achieve the minimum required data rates. We assume that node positions and channel side informations are available, and a virtual central unit is in responsible for scheduling both primary and secondary users. The optimal solution provides a theoretical upper bound of throughput for cognitive radio networks. An iterative algorithm proposed in [1] was extended to solve the throughput optimization problem, which can be decomposed into sub-problems and solved iteratively. However, due to the NP-hardness of Maximum Weighted Independent Set (MWIS) problem which has to be solved at each iteration, some greedy approximation method with polynomial computation time is applied in the iterative algorithm. Finally, we derive a theoretical upper bound for the distance between the greedy solution and the optimal solution, and guarantee that the optimal solution must be within this upper bound of the greedy solution. Numerical results are given to validate the solution.
352 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY OF TOLAZOLINE (Tz) IN PERSISTENT FETAL CIRCULATION (PFC)

The effect of Tz in treatment of PFC was evaluated in 14 neonates (gestational age (GA) ≤ 34 weeks, n=6) receiving maximal assisted ventilation. Intravenous Tz was administered as a loading dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of 1 mg/kg/hr. The dose was increased up to 4 mg/kg/hr based on the patients clinical response. Clinical status, laboratory parameters and Tz serum concentrations were monitored throughout therapy. A positive response to Tz was observed in 70% of the patients. A curvilinear relationship was noted between Tz serum concentrations and PaO2/FiO2 ratio. The response to tolazoline was dependent on GA, serum concentration and arterial pH. A significant difference (p 34 weeks and ≤ 34 weeks GA. In neonates > 34 weeks, positive therapeutic response was observed with arterial pH > 7.45 and Tz serum concentrations of 2-4 μg/ml. Neonates of ≤ 34 weeks GA, a positive therapeutic response was seen at serum concentration of 4.4 - 7.7 μg/ml and an arterial pH of 7.31 - 7.44. Systemic hypotension and GI bleeding were observed in 28.6% of the patients. This was related to high serum concentrations and arterial pH < 7.30. The rational use of Tz for the treatment of PFC requires careful monitoring of respiratory status, pH, blood pressure and serum Tz concentration.
A new dynamic programming algorithm for the single item capacitated dynamic lot size model

We develop a new dynamic programming method for the single item capacitated dynamic lot size model with non-negative demands and no backlogging. This approach builds the Optimal value function in piecewise linear segments. It works very well on the test problems, requiring less than 0.3 seconds to solve problems with 48 periods on a VAX 8600. Problems with the time horizon up to 768 periods are solved. Empirically, the computing effort increases only at a quadratic rate relative to the number of periods in the time horizon.
Complement-Activating Immune Deposits in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Skin

Immune deposits at the cutaneous basement membrane zone are a characteristic feature of systemic lupus erythematosus. Previous studies using immunofluorescent methods to detect complement components have provided evidence that some deposits contain immune complexes capable of activating complement. However, this important biologic property of complexes has not been detected or measured using functional assays, and it has not been determined whether immune deposits can activate complement at the basement membrane zone. In this study immune deposits in biopsies of lupus skin have been examined using direct immunofluorescence for the third component of complement (C3) to detect complement deposited in vivo. In addition, the deposits have been studied using the leukocyte attachment assay and indirect C3 binding immunofluorescence to detect and measure complement activation at the basement membrane zone in vitro. The results show that complement activation occurs at the basement membrane in some but not all lupus skin containing immunoglobulin deposits, that deposits differ quantitatively in their ability to activate complement, and that direct C3 immunofluorescence is a relatively insensitive method for detecting complement-activating complexes. The results provide functional evidence suggesting that immune deposits in some lupus skin are complement-activating complexes and potentially capable of activating complement at the basement membrane in vivo. Furthermore, the results suggest functional assays for evaluating complement-activating complexes may be valuable supplements to immunofluorescence in exploring the relationship between immune deposits and systemic and cutaneous disease.
Crystallization damage by sodium sulfate

Abstract Experiments demonstrate that a stone containing thenardite suffers great damage when exposed to water below the temperature limit of mirabilite stability. This is due to a transition between thenardite and mirabilite, and not to thenardite reprecipitation. Damage occurs whether or not thenardite was produced previously by mirabilite decomposition. Together with recent results from the literature, these results indicate that damage occurs because thenardite dissolution can produce solutions highly supersaturated with respect to mirabilite, so that precipitation of this mineral can lead to large crystallization pressures. Finally, it appears that there is a salt content threshold beyond which damage increases substantially.
Nanocomposite membranes of chemisorbed and physisorbed molecules on porous alumina for environmentally important separations

Abstract Environmental separations, such as the removal of volatile organic compounds from air or water, require a new paradigm for membrane materials design: preferential permeation of the larger, more soluble component. Nanocomposite materials, based on mesoporous inorganic substrates with organic moieties decorating the porous surfaces, are excellent candidates for this paradigm; the architecture affords a degree of simultaneous control over both chemistry and free volume that is difficult to achieve with purely polymeric or purely inorganic materials. We synthesized nanocomposite membranes by chemically and physically attaching small organic molecules to the surfaces of mesoporous (∼5 nm) alumina substrates and evaluated them on their performance in removing toluene from nitrogen. Octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS), phenyltrichlorosilane (PTS), and a triazine-based hyperbranched molecule were employed as organic modifiers. Separation factors for toluene over nitrogen were calculated by conducting vapor–gas permeation experiments at different toluene feed compositions. The modified membranes were generally solubility-selective, but the OTS and hyperbranched triazine treatments yielded significantly higher separation factors as compared to PTS treated membranes. Our results indicate that both chemical specificity and molecular level packing play an important role in achieving solubility-based separations. Compared to purely polymeric membranes currently employed for such separations, our best nanocomposites exhibit similar separation factors but much faster permeation rates.
Steroidogenesis in Fundulus heteroclitus. IV. Dichotomous effects of a phorbol ester on ovarian steroid production and oocyte maturation.

The possible role of protein kinase C (PKC) activation in mediating the stimulatory actions of a Fundulus pituitary extract (FPE) on ovarian steroidogenesis and oocyte maturation was investigated. The phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), alone slightly increased basal 17α-hydroxy, 20β-dihydroprogesterone (DHP) and 17β-estradiol (E2) synthesis and significantly stimulated germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Addition of FPE promoted synthesis of DHP, testosterone (T), and E2, and initiated GVBD. Phorbol ester inhibited FPE-induced steroidogenesis but increased the number of oocytes that underwent GVBD. Phorbol ester also markedly impeded induction of steroidogenesis by dibutyryl cAMP and differentially affected the conversion of 25-hydroxycholesterol, pregnenolone, or progesterone to DHP, T, and E2: DHP production was not affected; T production diminished; and E2 synthesis increased (T aromatization also increased). These results suggest an inhibitory role for the PKC pathway on FPE-induced ovarian steroid production, with PMA appearing to affect various steroidogenic steps. The stimulatory action of PMA on oocyte maturation seems to be independent of follicular steroid production since aminoglutethimide, an inhibitor of steroidogenesis, did not block PMA-induced GVBD. Moreover, PMA had a marked stimulatory effect on GVBD in denuded oocytes. Thus, in contrast to the inhibitory role found for the PKC pathway on ovarian follicular steroidogenesis, activation of PKC in the oocyte may serve as a signal-transducing mechanism leading to GVBD. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
870 TWO APPARENTLY BALANCED DE NOVO RECIPROCAL TRANSLOCATIONS IN A GIRL WITH GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY AND MILD DYSMORPHISM

The patient was born at 35 wks gestation, following a pregnancy remarkable only for some first trimester spotting. Her birth wt was 1.87 Kg. She first rolled over at 9 mos, stood alone at 21 mos. and walked at 22 mos. At age 4 yrs the patient was seen for evaluation of severely delayed speech and global developmental delay. She presented as a small child with height and weight both below the 3rd %ile and head circumference at the 40th %ile. She had an aberrant occipital hair whorl, epicanthal folds, flat nasal bridge and small nasal tip. Analysis of GTG-banded, cultured peripheral lymphocytes revealed a karyotype of 46,X,t(X;3)(q26;q29), t(8;11)(q11.2; p11.2). The parents were found to have normal chromosomes, suggesting de novo origin of both apparently balanced reciprocal translocations in the patient, an extremely rare event. Random facultative heterochromatization of chromosome X may explain the presence of mild dysmorphism and global developmental delay. She could be displaying the effects of a functional partial 3q monosomy due to the extension of facultative heterochromatization to the autosome.
Quasilinearization and terminal observation

Abstract Dynamic models of physical systems often yield little information on the value of internal parameters. This paper provides a technique for determining the joint torques of a double compound pendulum from observation of the end or terminal point of the pendulum. Quasilinearization and dynamic programming are used in this nonlinear inverse problem.
Influence of selective T-lymphocyte depletion on the lung pathology of gnotobiotic calves and the distribution of different T-lymphocyte subsets following challenge with bovine respiratory syncytial virus

Abstract The depletion of CD8 + T-lymphocytes with a marine monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for the CD8 molecule delayed the ability of three gnotobiotic calves to clear bovine respiratory syncytial virus ( brsv ) from their lungs within 10 days after an experimental challenge with the virus. This protracted infection was associated with an enhanced pneumonic consolidation score (21·6 per cent) compared with seven control calves (7·4 per cent) and a histological lesion of active respiratory epithelial hypertrophy. Three gnotobiotic calves depleted of the CD4 + subpopulation with the appropriate mAb also had enhanced macroscopic lesions (16·6 per cent) but the histological lesion was less active. The depletion of the γ/δ TCR + WC1 + subpopulation had no apparent effect on the macroscopic or microscopic pulmonary lesions. Although the depletion of the CD8 + or the CD4 + subpopulations enhanced the pulmonary lesions, no clinical signs of respiratory disease were detected. Immunoperoxidase labelling and image analysis of the lymphocyte subpopulations in lung tissue revealed an increase in the number of CD8 + T cells after the infection of non-depleted, control calves, especially in the lamina propria of the large bronchioles. Calves depleted of individual lymphocyte subsets and infected with BRSV showed no compensatory increase in the remaining subpopulations and no lymphoreticular hyperplasia.
Polyethylene Absorption Cells for Infra-Red Spectrophotometry

The infra-red spectroscopy of aqueous solutions has been hampered not only by the infra-red absorption of water itself, but also by the difficulty of finding material for absorption cell windows which would be insoluble in water and still sufficiently transparent in the desired region. This problem is particularly irksome to biochemists who are primarily interested in aqueous solutions. Several groups of workers1–4 have been successful in observing infra-red spectra in water solution by using cells sufficiently thin for absorption by water not to be excessive and by choosing materials such as silver chloride, barium fluoride, thallium bromide, etc., for windows. The expense and inconvenience of these special windows has prevented many from benefiting by this powerful technique, so that we have been led to consider the possibility of using polyethylene as a window material for aqueous solutions.
Oral administration of schistosome egg antigens and insulin B-chain generates and enhances Th2-type responses in NOD mice.

Abstract In murineSchistosoma mansoni,parenteral administration of parasite eggs or saline-soluble egg antigens (SEA), generates Th2 T-cell responses to both schistosome-specific and unrelated third-party antigens. Oral administration of insulin to NOD mice suppresses or delays the onset of diabetes by skewing the response toward CD4+Th2 cells and TGF-β producing cells. From these two independent sets of observations, we initiated the present study to determine if oral administration of SEA would stimulate Th2-type cytokine responses when mice were fed SEA alone or in tandem with insulin B-chain. Our results show that feeding NOD mice with either insulin B-chain or SEA alone significantly inhibits proliferation to the immunizing antigen. When cytokine profiles were examined, feeding led to a predominance of IL-10 and TGF-β production. Furthermore, feeding SEA in combination with insulin B-chain augmented the level of IL-10 production to insulin. T-cell lines established from SEA-fed and -immunized mice secreted IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines whereas the T-cell lines from control-fed mice immunized with SEA secreted predominantly IL-2 and IFN-γ. These results demonstrate that orally administered insulin can induce regulatory T-cells secreting IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β and that Th2 responses to oral insulin could be augmented in a synergistic way by feeding SEA and insulin B-chain together.
A pilot study on the interactions between katabatic winds and polynyas at the Adélie Coast, eastern Antarctica

Infrared satellite images of the coastal area off Adelie Land were examined together with two wind data sets, one from the manned French station, Dumont d'Urville, the other one from an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) during the 1986 austral winter. A correlation between the development of open water areas (polynyas) and the appearance of extremely strong offshore winds can be drawn. The wind direction tended to be more perpendicular to the coastline during these extreme ‘events’, suggesting a katabatic origin of the increase in wind strength. In the study area the influence of the katabatic wind on the sea ice extends 20–100 km offshore. Sea ice motion further off the coast seems to be more dominated by synoptic scale weather systems. Broader scale atmospheric influences may create large polynya structures which influence the development of coastal winds, as the temperature contrast between open water and the cold continent generates its own circulation. Strong wind events can have a weakening effect on the coastal sea ice which can lead to a much more sensitive reaction of the sea ice in response to following anomalous wind events.
Social connectedness and smoking behaviors among Asian American college students: An electronic diary study.

INTRODUCTION Asian American college students are at increased risk for cigarette smoking and its health consequences. Cigarette smoking often serves as a social lubricant among Asian American smokers. METHODS Electronic diaries were used to examine the roles of peer presence and social connectedness in relation to cigarette use patterns among Asian American college students. RESULTS Multilevel modeling results showed that participants smoked more cigarettes when smoking with peers than when smoking alone. Social connectedness attenuated the within-person associations between smoking with peers and cigarettes smoked per occasion. Those with lower social connectedness smoked more cigarettes when smoking with peers than when smoking alone. DISCUSSION Social settings and social connectedness are important in explaining situational variations in the number of cigarettes consumed by Asian American college smokers.
Effect of Quinidine Together with Antibiotics on Contractility of Cat Papillary Muscle

The extent of depression of myocardial contractility produced by the combination of quinidine and gentamicin, tetracycline, or amphotericin B was found, in an in vitro model, to be no greater than that due to the more active drug alone.
Monolithic integration of microphotonics with CMOS microelectronics using molecularly engineered materials and nanostructures

Many approaches have been attempted to integrate the capabilities of traditional CMOS microelectronics with photonic devices. The majority of these approaches have recently involved photonic devices fabricated from unique materials, silicon in the case of CMOS microelectronics. Most other work has concentrated on assembly and packaging schemes for hybrid integration of microelectronics and microphotonics. These capitalize neither on the economies of production of the CMOS microelectronic industry nor the capability of photonics to provide unique capabilities as demonstrated in the long haul telecom industry. Work to find silicon based solutions have produced interesting results but significant opportunities exist for materials and processes that would permit microphotonic fabrication on any CMOS. Microphotonic-microelectronic monolithic integration with current materials, manufacturing processes, and packaging/assembly prove difficult. However, it is noted that CMOS process flows may well undergo significant alteration to adopt new, and often less robust materials, such as polymer dielectrics, in the near future, to achieve device performance goals. The materials will cause traditional CMOS fabrication process flows to be modified to accommodate the less robust organics and nanocomposites. A silicon nanocomposite with variable in plane index of refraction (VIPIR/spl trade/) and a poled plasma polymer that produces a stable nonlinear electro-optic material at room temperature are used for device fabrication. The poled polymer is used to "tune" the resonant wavelength of the ring resonators to provide routing, modulating, wavelength agility, and MUX/DEMUX functions. Materials are molecularly engineered to produce long term stability. The microring resonator is fabricated using a VIPIR nanocomposite and overcoated with the NLO poled polymer. This paper will describe not only the material synthesis but the process specifics and flow required to fabricate the photonic structure on the CMOS known good die. After the passive photonic structure was fabricated, a stable poled plasma polymer was deposited to control microring resonator tuning. The input of the buffer was driven through a simple test program directly from a personal computer parallel port. Electrical input and output of the buffer were monitored. The eight wavelengths that corresponded to the eight channels of the buffer, in the 1550nm band, were multiplexed and fiber coupled to the light input bus on the device. The octal buffer still functions electrically while multiplexed optical transmission is now incorporated. We report the operation characteristics of both the electronic and photonic functions of the device.
Transfaunation Studies on the Host Specificity of the Enteric Protozoa of Rodents

Breeding colonies of protozoa-free laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) and golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were established by early weaning or by drug treatment. Attempts were made to transfaunate the enteric protozoa of various rodents to protozoa-free progeny of these colonies. Efforts to transfer the fauna of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) to rats and hamsters have failed and indicate that this fauna is physiologically isolated as well as morphologically distinct from that of other laboratory rodents. The faunas of rats and hamsters appear to be morphologically identical and freely interchangeable. That certain of the species found in rats and hamsters also occur in the mouse (Mus musculus) is indicated by successful transfaunations: mouse to rat and hamster. The suggestion is made that the fauna of the mouse and rat is indigenous but that the fauna of laboratory hamsters may have been acquired since domestication. Hexamastix muris from Neotoma fuscipes and Trichomonas microti from Microtus pennsylvanicus have been transfaunated to rats. Other enteric protozoa from these hosts and also from Marmota monax and Dipodomys merriami have not established themselves in rats and, if morphological differences cannot be found, should be considered biological races of their counterparts in the fauna of laboratory rodents. Species of lumen-dwelling enteric protozoa should be based upon morphological distinctions and not upon host specificity. The latter, as demonstrated by these experiments, is not rigidly determined.
Challenges for atomic scale modeling in alternative gate stack engineering

We review the challenges for atomic scale modeling of alternative gate dielectric stacks. We begin by highlighting recent achievements of state-of-the-art atomistic simulations of the Si-SiO/sub 2/ system, showing how such calculations have elucidated the microscopic origins of several important experimental phenomena. For the benefit of readers who may be unfamiliar with the simulation tools, we overview and compare the relevant methods. We then describe the difficulties encountered in extending these approaches to investigate high-k dielectric stacks, pointing out exciting research directions aimed at overcoming these challenges. We conclude by presenting a roadmap of computational goals for atomic scale modeling of alternative gate dielectrics.
Speech, Crime, and the Uses of Language

In this book, distinguished legal philosopher Kent Greenawalt explores the three-way relationship between the idea of freedom of speech, the law of crimes, and the many uses of language. The first portion of the book is devoted to a consideration of free speech as a political principle. After a thorough and incisive principle analysis of the justifications commonly advanced for freedom of speech, Greenawalt looks at the kinds of communications to which the principle of free speech applies. He then turns to an examination of communications for which criminal liability is fixed. Focusing on threats and solicitations to crime, he attempts to determine whether liability for such communications seriously conflicts with freedom of speech. Greenawalt goes on to develop the significance of his conclusions for American constitutional law, addressing such questions as what should be considered "speech" within the meaning of the First Amendment, and what tests the courts should employ in deciding whether particular criminal statutes should be held constitutional. He concludes that the issues are too complex to yield simple solutions, and insists that the protection of the First Amendment can be reduced neither to one justification nor to one all-purpose test of coverage.
Taking a Chance in the Classroom: Speed Dating: Exploring Initial Romantic Attraction

What predicts initial romantic attraction in the opposite sex? Asking questions like this that are intrinsically interesting to students helps them see that data analysis is not just about finishin...
Gleason score and laterality concordance between prostate biopsy and prostatectomy specimens

Objectives: Prostate biopsy involvement and Gleason score guide treatment decisions in prostate cancer. We evaluated concordance in Gleason score and laterality between biopsy and radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) specimens and factors that influenced this relationship. Material and Methods: We reviewed 538 prostate cancer diagnoses at a Veterans Affairs medical center (2000-2005) to identify men with prostate biopsy and RRP specimens. During this time there was a move from limited (6 core) to extended (12 core) biopsy schemes. Discordance in Gleason score was defined as any change in Gleason score. Results: 152 men underwent RRP with biopsy showing Gleason 7 in 8%. Biopsy involvement was unilateral in 59% and bilateral in 41%. Compared to the biopsy, RRP Gleason score was concordant in 76 (50%), higher in 51 (34%), and lower in 25 (16%). Bilateral involvement was concordant in 97%, while unilateral involvement was concordant in only 20%. Both Gleason score and laterality were concordant in only 26%. Gleason concordance was higher in those with 8 or more cores compared to < 8 cores taken (54% vs. 34%, p = 0.046), but concordance was not affected by age, PSA, prostate volume, or length of time from biopsy to RRP. During later years, concordance did not improve despite taking more cores. Conclusions: Prostate biopsy underestimated prostatectomy Gleason score in 34% of men and bilateral involvement in 80% of those with unilateral disease on biopsy. Taking at least eight cores improves the accuracy of the prostate biopsy.
Defibrillatory substance from Pteryxia terebinthina.

A method for the isolation of a crystalline material from the roots of Pteryxia terebinthina has been described. The crystalline material was found to be essentially free from contractile depressant effects, and to be approximately seven times more potent than quinidine sulfate as a defibrillatory agent on isolated rat hearts.
Taxes and Bribery: The Role of Wage Incentives

This paper presents a simple model to evaluate alternative payment schemes for tax inspectors in the presence of corruption. We consider problems of both moral hazard, which arises because taking bribes cannot be observed without costly monitoring, and adverse selection, since not all potential tax inspectors can be identified as being honest or dishonest. We identify three wage regimes. First, one could pay the same wage that a tax inspector could earn elsewhere - his reservation wage. Second, one could pay a wage which solves the moral hazard problem, i.e. deters bribery. This we call an efficiency wage, by analogy with recent models examined i n macro economics. Third, the government could pay a wage below the reservation wage, at which only the dishonest become tax inspectors - the capitulation wage. We make precise the conditions under which each yields the greatest amount o f tax revenues, net o f administrative costs. Many countries in the developing world are undergoing structural adjustment programmes which require fundamental fiscal changes. Outside agencies advise restoration of budget balance, a task which involves expenditure cuts and tax increases. The treatment of public employee pay scales often poses a particular dilemma i n this process. Wages and salaries are a significant component of government expenditures and one important question concerns the extent to which wages rather than employment cuts should be used to save money. There is sometimes a reluctance to advocate wage cuts, stemming in part from a feeling that this might impair the performance of the public sector. Hence, Tanzi (1990) argues that a policy of wage cutting ' is likely to increase the inefficiency of public sector employees, especially at a time when the public sector is expected to play a larger role in restructuring the economy' (p. 16). In the context of tax collection the issue is particularly pressing, given the need to raise more tax revenues. A reduction in efficiency in this branch of the government i s likely t o mean that fewer returns are processed and when individuals' living standards are squeezed, their incentive to accept bribes in lieu o f collecting taxes i s increased.^ O n this count, i t i s even sometimes suggested that wages of tax inspectors should be increased to aid the effort to * The comments of Henry Bienen, John Hey and two anonymous referees have been helpful in revising this paper. The authors are also grateful t o the John M . Olin Program for the Study o f Economic Organization and Public Policy at Princeton University and the Pew Charitable Trusts for financial support. McLaren also acknowledges support from the International Finance Section of Princeton University. None of the above should be implicated in any way. ' See, for example, Goode (1984) chapter 1 3 and Gould and Amaro-Reyes (1983).
Fear of Severe Pain Mediates Sex Differences in Pain Sensitivity Responses to Thermal Stimuli

The purpose of this paper was to examine the relationship of sex and pain-related fear in pain intensity reports to thermal stimuli and whether sex differences in reported pain intensity were mediated by pain-related fear. 177 participants, 124 female (23.5 ± 4.5 years old), filled out a demographic and fear of pain questionnaire (FPQ-III). Experimental pain testing was performed using thermal stimuli applied to the lower extremity. Participants rated the intensity of pain using the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS). Independent t-tests, Sobel’s test, and linear regression models were performed to examine the relationships between sex, fear of pain, and pain sensitivity. We found significant sex differences for thermal pain threshold temperatures () and suprathreshold pain ratings for 49°C () and 51°C (). FPQ-severe score mediated the effect of suprathreshold pain ratings of 49° (), 51° (), and pain threshold temperatures (). There are differences in the pain sensitivity between sexes, but this difference may be mediated by baseline psychosocial factors such as fear of pain.
A 1D crystalline organic polyrotaxane formed viahydrogen bond-mediated self-assembly of a conformationally flexible tri-carboxylic acid

A well-defined organic polyrotaxane has been obtained from a 1,3,5-triaroylbenzene tris(carboxylic acid) derivative upon crystallization under acidic conditions.
Accurate coupling junction models in the design of planar slot arrays

In a waveguide-fed planar slot array, a main waveguide feeds a family of crossed branch waveguides containing radiating slots. Each coupling junction typically consists of a centered-inclined coupling slot and a pair of straddling longitudinal radiating slots, generally located a quarter guide wavelength away in the branch waveguide. In the analysis and synthesis of slot arrays, higher-order mode coupling effects in coupling junctions are not considered. Higher order mode coupling between such slots is expected to be significant. In addition, for some coupling geometries, there are singularities in the Green's functions for the coupling problem. Ignoring the higher-order mode coupling between the coupling slot and radiating slots may introduce significant errors in the input match condition, and radiation pattern performance of planar arrays. We present a perturbation method to include the higher order mode coupling effects in coupling junctions in the design of a planar slot array. >
Nef gene evolution from a single transmitted strain in acute SIV infection

Background The acute phase of immunodeficiency virus infection plays a crucial role in determining steady-state virus load and subsequent progression of disease in both humans and nonhuman primates. The acute period is also the time when vaccine-mediated effects on host immunity are likely to exert their major effects on virus infection. Recently we developed a Monte-Carlo (MC) simulation with mathematical analysis of viral evolution during primary HIV-1 infection that enables classification of new HIV-1 infections originating from multiple versus single transmitted viral strains and the estimation of time elapsed following infection.
Glacier outburst floods and outwash plain development: Skeiäarársandur, Iceland

Outwash plains, such as Skeiaararsandur, serve as prototypes for braided river facies and analogs for the Mars Pathfinder and Viking 1 landing sites on the margins of the Chryse Basin. Glacier outburst floods (jokulhlaups) have generated some of the largest known terrestrial freshwater flows and recent studies suggest that the stratigraphy of outwash plains (sandur) is dominated by sedimentary sequences laid down during jokulhlaups, rather than by braided river facies produced by an ablation-related flow regime. The modern point-source drainage configuration on Skeiaararsandur evolved from a diffuse, multipoint distributary system during glacier retreat, when meltwater began to be routed parallel to the ice front. The contemporary pattern of water and sediment dispersal across Skeiaararsandur differs from the conditions that prevailed when the ice front was coupled to the sandur, and the November 5–6 1996 outburst flood from Skeiaararjokull had little impact on the proximal surface of Skeiaararsandur beyond the confines of the entrenched channels that traverse it. Thus, the point-source dispersal system on Skeiaararsandur may not provide an exact analogue for the pattern of meltwater dispersal responsible for the sediment assemblage laid down during past jokulhlaups, and caution may be required when comparing conditions on Skeiaararsandur to those presumed to have been experienced during massive outburst floods elsewhere.
Match virtual machine: an adaptive runtime system to execute MATLAB in parallel

MATLAB is one of the most popular languages for desktop numerical computations as well as for signal and image processing applications. Applying parallel processing techniques to improve performance of MATLAB codes has been the goal of many recent works. Most current frameworks require the user to specify parallelism and/or information regarding type/shape of the variables, thereby sacrificing the user friendliness which is one of the most popular MATLAB features. Other systems work on a restricted subset of MATLAB, thereby limiting the class of applications MATLAB can support. We present a runtime system capable of executing MATLAB code in parallel without any user intervention. The runtime system performs automatic parallelization and type/shape inference of the code at runtime. A unique feature of the runtime system is its capability to automatically adapt to changes in the underlying architecture, making it particularly useful for systems where predicting performance statically is difficult. We present experimental results obtained for the runtime system running on SGI Origin2000 shared memory multiprocessor.
Participatory Design as Apprenticeship: Sustainable Watershed Management as a Community Computing Application

This paper develops research in the area of sustainable, long-term participatory design for community groups. We adopt a perspective that emphasizes participatory design as a learning process and introduce hierarchical (cognitive apprenticeship) and lateral (collaboratively constructed Zones of Proximal Development) aspects of learning. We describe our experience of working with an environmental community group from the initiation of our involvement to the group adopting designer-like roles. The goal of our involvement was to induce a sustainable strategy of adopting, using, and maintaining information technology as an everyday organizational practice to reify the goals of community groups, even after we fade away from the process.
Spacing and Competition Between Planted Grass Plugs and Preexisting Perennial Grasses in a Restoration Site in Oregon

Planting native species into restoration settings where other natives already occur is a common practice. However, the competitive consequences of such plantings are rarely studied. Planting density also affects restoration costs. Here we examined the effects of established individuals of Lemmon’s needlegrass (Achnatherum lemmonii) on plugs of bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) in a restoration site in Oregon. All three of these grasses are local native perennials. Plugs were planted at 6, 12, and 18 cm from established A. lemmonii bunchgrasses and also in plots without A. lemmonii neighbors. Plug survival was uniformly high, averaging more than 98%. Plugs planted at 6 cm from established grasses showed significantly lower growth and reproduction than plugs planted at 18 cm, which had similar values to plugs not planted in the vicinity of A. lemmonii. These results suggest that interplanting distances of as little as 18 cm were sufficient to greatly reduce competitive effects on newly planted plugs, at least in early establishment at this site.
Managing Contract Manufacturer Quality when Product Testability is Low

Brand-owing firms have been outsourcing the production of complete finished products to contract manufacturers (CMs) for some time. More recently, brand-owning firms have been doing so with products for which testability, or the ability to test the finished product for defects, is low. Doing so is not recommended by make-buy theories, and poses challenges for the management of CM conformance quality performance. Consistent with these prescriptions, we find that finished-product testability has a significant and positive relationship with CM conformance quality performance, as reported by the buyers (the brand-owning firms). Drawing from and expanding the quality management (QM) literature, we assess the effectiveness of key individual constructs from the “supplier QM” meta-construct at mitigating the detrimental effect of low testability. As expected, we find that heavily emphasizing quality at the time of CM selection, and involving the CM in product development effectively moderate the testability-CM qu...
Fatal strychnine ingestion.

A postmortem case involving ingestion of a strychninecontaining preparation Is reported. Strychnine levels were determined In blood, urine, bile, liver, kidney, stomach contents, small and large Intestines, and brain. The procedure, which Is sensitive and specific, employs a gasliquid chromatograph equipped with a flame Ionization detector (FID). The extraction procedure using 5 mL of body fluids or tissue homogenate is described In detail. This Is the first strychnine mortality in Allegheny County within a period of 20 years.
Preparation of Bi-2212/Ag Tapes by Electrodeposition

Bi-2212 precursor films were deposited on both sides of polycrystalline Ag tapes by electrodeposition. After a melt-solidification process in flowing oxygen atmosphere, c-axis textured Bi-2212 films with Jc( 0T, 4.2K) up to 820,000 A/ cm2 were obtained. A post annealing in flowing nitrogen at 475°C for 25 minutes increased Tc from 72 K to 92 K, and Jc(H=0T) > 17, 000A/ cm2 was observed at 60 K. No scaling behavior of the pinning force was observed, indicating more than one pinning mechanism in thus obtained Bi-2212/Ag tapes.
Investigating the Probability of Sign Inconsistency in the Regression Coefficients of Markers Flanking Quantitative Trait Loci

Estimates of the locations and effects of quantitative trait loci (QTL) can be obtained by regressing phenotype on marker genotype. Under certain basic conditions, the signs of regression coefficients flanking QTL must be the same. There is no guarantee, however, that the signs of the regression coefficient estimates will be the same. We use sign inconsistency to describe the situation in which there is disagreement between the signs of the estimated regression coefficients flanking QTL. The presence of sign inconsistency can undermine the effectiveness of QTL mapping strategies that presume intervals whose markers have regression coefficient estimates of differing sign to be devoid of QTL. This article investigates the likelihood of sign inconsistency under various conditions. We derive an analytic expression for the approximate probability of sign inconsistency in the single-QTL case. We also examine sign inconsistency probabilities when multiple QTL are present through simulation. We have discovered that the probability of sign inconsistency can be unacceptably high, even when the conditions for QTL detection are otherwise quite favorable.
Compositional Variation and Bioactivity of the Leaf Essential Oil of Montanoa guatemalensis from Monteverde, Costa Rica: A Preliminary Investigation.

Background: Montanoa guatemalensis is a small to medium-sized tree in the Asteraceae that grows in Central America from Mexico south through Costa Rica. There have been no previous investigations on the essential oil of this tree. Methods: The leaf essential oils of M. guatemalensis were obtained from different individual trees growing in Monteverde, Costa Rica, in two different years, and were analyzed by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. Results: The leaf oils from 2008 were rich in sesquiterpenoids, dominated by α-selinene, β-selinene, and cyclocolorenone, with lesser amounts of the monoterpenes α-pinene and limonene. In contrast, the samples from 2009 showed no α- or β-selinene, but large concentrations of trans-muurola-4(14),5-diene, β-cadinene, and cyclocolorenone, along with greater concentrations of α-pinene and limonene. The leaf oils were screened for cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities and did show selective cytotoxic activity on MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cells. Conclusion: M. guatemalensis leaf oil, rich in cyclocolorenone, α-selinene, and β-selinene, showed selective in vitro cytotoxic activity to MDA-MB-231 cells. The plant may be a good source of cyclocolorenone.