cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From the Editors' Desk: Patient Autonomy and Medical Decisions: Getting it Just Right

Once upon time, patients relied on physicians to tell them what to do when faced with a medical decision, and for the most part, physicians gladly accepted this responsibility. Eventually, patients and doctors came to realize that this paternalistic approach to medical decision-making placed far too much power in the hands of physicians, however beneficent their intent. Over the past 20 years or so, in part fueled by the growing interest in decision-making at the end of life, there has been a seismic change in the approach to medical decision-making and the physician–patient relationship, with increasing emphasis on a model that emphasizes patient autonomy and shared decision-making. In the extreme expression of this model, the role of the health care provider is simply to provide accurate information to patients without sharing their own views or experiences; patients are expected to make the tough medical decisions on their own, whether it be treatment preferences at the end of life or choice of medication in chronic disease management. In contrast with medical paternalism, this model places far too little responsibility on physicians to exercise their expertise with patients when faced with a difficult choice. In this issue of JGIM, Entwistle et al. argue that it is time for us to broaden the discussion of patient autonomy beyond a narrow focus on medical decision-making to one that shifts the focus to the relational context of the physician-patient relationship. They assert that a relational approach to patient autonomy allows the clinician to better understand the individual patient in a broader social/cultural context and therefore to support patient autonomy in a diversity of health care contexts. Original research articles by Beach et al. and Nguyen et al. also in this issue remind us that language, culture and socio-economic status often have a profound influence on patient–doctor communication and health related behavior. For example, Beach found that there was less patient centered communication in encounters between HIV-infected Hispanic patients and their providers compared with white patients, though surprisingly, Hispanics reported higher overall satisfaction. A Pubmed search using the search term “patient autonomy” reveals more than 12,000 published scholarly articles, 42 in JGIM alone in the past 20 years. We have come a long way since the days of physician paternalism but have not yet reached a satisfactory balance between the dual goals of respect for patient autonomy and the need for physicians to respectfully and clearly share their expertise and ideas. Clearly, when it comes to patient autonomy and medical decision-making, we are still trying to figure out how to get it just right.
Dynamics of an Ising-like Model in Four Space Dimensions

Using a molecular-dynamics technique, we studied the excitation spectrum of an Ising-like lattice-dynamic model in four space dimensions. We found a central peak close to the transition temperature which does not evolve from the damped soft mode. Our results reveal that the overdamped-soft-mode picture and current interpretations of renormalization-group results for dynamic properties should be revised. They also provide testable predictions for Ising-like dipolar systems.
Visualizing conductive and convective heat transfer using thermographic techniques

This work explores the educational applications of thermography in teaching conductive and convective heat transfer concepts to undergraduate students. Thermography helps students effectively visualize heat transfer phenomena particularly in two and three dimensions. Experiments were designed to demonstrate one-dimensional heat transfer in metal rods, two dimensional heat transfer in a metal plate subject to given boundary conditions and convective heat transfer in fluid. The data obtained through these experiments, including thermal imaging video clips, was made available to students enrolled in instrumentation and physics courses. Using these thermographic data, students could physically observe heat transfer phenomena that otherwise would have been difficult to visualize.
Facial allotransplantation: a 3-year follow-up report.

Summary Introduction Long term follow-up of face transplant patients is fundamental to our understanding of risks and benefits of this procedure. Worldwide experience has shown that function improves gradually over time. Methods In April of 2009, a multidisciplinary team at Brigham and Women's Hospital performed face transplantation on a male patient to address a severe facial defect caused by high-voltage burns. Physical and occupational therapy was performed for the first six post-operative months. Close monitoring of the patient's functional recovery, immunosuppression, and quality of life was performed at set time points. Results Three years after face transplantation, the patient has recovered near-normal sensation. Along with satisfactory aesthetic results, his motor function continues to improve, aiding his speech, facial expressions, and social interaction. Furthermore, the patient reports continued improvements in quality of life. Infectious, metabolic, and immunologic complications have been successfully managed in a team approach. Immunosuppression doses have been effectively reduced, and steroid therapy was withdrawn before the end of the first postoperative year. Conclusions The presented outcomes demonstrate the procedure's growing role in reconstructive surgery as teams continue to focus their efforts on further optimization of immunosuppression and surgical technique.
Post-repolarization block of cloned sodium channels by saxitoxin: the contribution of pore-region amino acids

Sodium channels expressed in oocytes exhibited isoform differences in phasic block by saxitoxin (STX). Neuronal channels (rat IIa co-expressed with beta 1 subunit, Br2a + beta 1) had slower kinetics of phasic block for pulse trains than cardiac channels (RHI). After the membrane was repolarized from a single brief depolarizing step, a test pulse at increasing intervals showed first a decrease in current (post-repolarization block) then eventual recovery in the presence of STX. This block/unblock process for Br2a + beta 1 was 10-fold slower than that for RHI. A model accounting for these results predicts a faster toxin dissociation rate and a slower association rate for the cardiac isoform, and it also predicts a shorter dwell time in a putative high STX affinity conformation for the cardiac isoform. The RHI mutation (Cys374-->Phe), which was previously shown to be neuronal-like with respect to high affinity tonic toxin block, was also neuronal-like with respect to the kinetics of post-repolarization block, suggesting that this single amino acid is important for conferring isoform-specific transition rates determining post-repolarization block. Because the same mutation determines both sensitivity for tonic STX block and the kinetics of phasic STX block, the mechanisms accounting for tonic block and phasic block share the same toxin binding site. We conclude that the residue at position 374, in the putative pore-forming region, confers isoform-specific channel kinetics that underlie phasic toxin block.
RNA tumor virus phosphoproteins: subvirion location of the multiple phosphorylated species.

Abstract An analysis of core particles of 1.23 g/cm 3 density of the endogenous feline type C virus (RD-114) showed the presence of all of the major low molecular weight structural proteins, namely p30, p12, p10, and the phosphoprotein pp15, in relative proportions similar to those detected in intact RD-114 virions. The protein kinase activity of the virus was also found to be associated with the core. A comparison of the content of multiple phosphorylated species of the pp15 derived from the core with that isolated from the whole virion demonstrated that all major phosphorylated species of RD-114 pp15 were located in the core structure.
Mouse hemoglobin: chain composition multiple electrophoretic bands.

L'hemoglobine des souris de type DBA/1J apparait a l'electrophorese sous forme de 4 bandes. En les separant par l'electrophorese en gel d'uree-amidon, on ne trouve qu'une seule ligne de globineα et deux lignes de globineβ. Les taches se montrant a l'electrophorese apres traitement au bromide cyanogene sur les chaines peptidesβ suggerent plusieurs differences entre les 2 sequences d'acides amines.
Equality and Diversity : Phenomenological Investigations of Prejudice and Discrimination

Examples of prejudice against Jews, women, African-Americans, and other minority groups are reported almost daily by the media. Despite educational programs to counteract prejudicial attitudes, this seemingly intractable problem remains an ongoing concern, not only in the United States but throughout the world. It is an interesting and often overlooked fact that the subject of prejudice was the focus of major works by three prominent philosophers in the phenomenological tradition, works that still offer many insights into contemporary attempts to understand this social problem: Jean-Paul Sartre's "Anti-Semite and Jew", Simone de Beauvoir's "The Second Sex", and Alfred Schutz's essay "Equality and the Meaning Structure of the Social World". Michael Barber examines this striking convergence of interests by these three philosophers and explores the significance of phenomenology for analysing prejudice as expressed in anti-Semitism, sexism, and racism.Part One first examines Edmund Husserl's highly abstract use of the term 'prejudice' and then considers how Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Schutz applied their own unique modifications of Husserl's phenomenological system to various manifestations of prejudice. In their writings, Barber uncovers a dialectic between a modernist concern for equality and a postmodernist fear of the suppression of 'alterity' - the distinctive qualities of the groups against whom prejudice is directed. In Part Two, Barber articulates a theoretical system of ethics that is innovative in reconciling the very different ethical perspectives of Karl-Otto Apel and Emmanuel Levinas. The book concludes by drawing on this unique synthesis to provide an ethical warrant for affirmative action, illuminating the unacknowledged presuppositions at play in debates over this issue.
The crisis in particle physics

Abstract A set of eleven methodological and sociological criteria is developed to judge the state of health of research in a given area of science. They pertain to the close interaction of theory and experiment, the degree of cumulativeness of research, the presence of conceptually new ideas, the role of mathematics in research, the extent of the unification of our understanding, the degree of economy and simplicity, applicability, laissez-faire attitude in the scientific community, critique within the community, aesthetic satisfaction, and the state of morale. Then a brief status report is presented, in laymen's terms, of the experimental, theoretical, and phenomenological aspects of elementary particle (high energy) physics, it is concluded that experimental efforts have been skilled and in many ways successful, but the phenomenological work is characterized by many different and even contradictory insights, all useful in some ways, and failures in other ways. Progress on the theoretical side, in terms of a basic understanding of high energy phenomena, has been extremely modest, and even the experimental efforts have suffered considerably from the low state of phenomenology and theory. It is then suggested that progress is likely to depend on assuring the optimal use of methodology and a wise structuring of the sociological factors in the high energy community, since methodology and sociology leave much to be desired at the present in this community. Specifically, several measures are suggested to improve the situation, including reforms in communication, external peer review, and the strengthening of internal critique.
Comparative performance analysis of SFH/FDM DRT and OBP satellite payloads under jamming

This paper presents a comparative performance assessment of slow frequency hopped, frequency division multiplexed waveforms through dehop-rehop partial processing and on-board processing satellite payloads under the effects of jamming. Towards application in tactical mobile satellite communications, the performances of convolutional coded symmetric differential phase shift keying (SDPSK) and 1-bit differential Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modems are examined under the influences of jamming. Uplink channel impairment is modeled as partial band noise jamming (PBNJ), and band multi-tone jamming (BMTJ) coupled with AWGN and the downlink channel is modeled as AWGN. The simulated results and comparative analysis provide designers with a reference and quantifiable measure of the difference between each satellite architecture's performance with respect to overall signal quality and antijamming (AJ) capabilities for each of the waveforms under study.
Relative roles of conduction and convection in the body temperature change of gizzard shad, Dorosoma cepedianum

Abstract 1. 1. The intestinal temperatures of 22 gizzard shad subjected to instantaneous ΔT's of ± 9.5°C were monitored while fish were alive and dead. 2. 2. A significant relationship between fish body weight and coefficient of rate of body temperature change was demonstrated by double logarithmic correlation of these variables. The slope (= exponent) relating fish body weight and temperature change equalled 0.64 for live and 0.66 for dead shad. 3. 3. Consistent with results for other fishes, a significant number of live shad heated more rapidlythan they cooled. 4. 4. Comparisons of data for live and dead fish indicated that conduction accounted for 80% and therefore convection 20% of the total heat transfer in these experiments.
A mechanism for the eosinopenia induced by cortisone and by epinephrine.

Interest has become restimulated in the subject of the eosinophilic leukocyte largely as a result of recent findings (Forsham, Thorn, Prunty and Hills, 1948; Speirs and Meyer, 1949; McDermott, Fry, Bro-beck and Long, 1950) that the numbers of these elements in the peripheral blood are affected sensitively by hormonal factors, particularly those of the adrenal, and by a variety of stressful states. Explanations have been proposed for the drop in peripheral blood eosinophiles following cortisone or epinephrine administration primarily on the basis of redistribution and destruction of these cells; the evidence favoring these views has been inferential for the most part and the question must still be considered as open.Peripheral blood of normal animals contains relatively low concentrations of eosinophiles. Ringoen (1938) reported that eosinophiles in values as great as 25% of the total cellular count could be found in peritoneal fluid.
Early Lumen Loss After Treatment of In-Stent Restenosis An Intravascular Ultrasound Study

Background—Mechanisms of recurrence after treatment of in-stent restenosis are unknown. Methods and Results—We prospectively performed quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in 37 lesions with Palmaz-Schatz stents enrolled in a study of intracoronary radiation for in-stent restenosis. Primary treatment was at the discretion of the operator: PTCA (n=8) or ablation+adjunct PTCA (n=29). Lesions were studied before intervention, immediately after primary intervention, and 42±8 minutes later. QCA measurements included minimal luminal diameter and diameter stenosis. Planar IVUS measurements included arterial, stent, lumen, and in-stent tissue areas. Stent, lumen, and in-stent tissue volumes were calculated by use of Simpson’s rule. Compared with immediately after intervention, the delayed (42±8 minutes) minimal lumen area decreased by 20% (5.8±1.9 to 4.5±1.3 mm2, P<0.0001) and the lumen volume by 12% (58±41 to 52±37 mm3, P=0.0001). Ten lesions (27%) had a ≥2.0-mm2 decrease i...
Stimulated emission at the sum-frequency generation of a bichromatic field interacting with a three-level atom

We have considered the stimulated emission that occurs at the sum-frequency generation of a bichromatic field interacting with a three-level atom in the cascade configuration. In the high intensity limit for both laser fields, the excitation spectra consist of an induced peak that occurs at the two-photon frequency and two sidebands that are peaked on both sides of the twophoton frequency. The intensities (heights) of the two sidebands take always positive values indicating that the process of induced absorption (attenuation) occurs at the corresponding frequencies. The intensity (height) of the induced peak at the two-photon frequency takes positive and negative values when both laser fields are at resonance and at off-resonance, respectively. Conditions are established under which the two-photon stimulated emission prevails, indicating that significant amplification occurs at the sum-frequency generation of the two laser fields.
Sampling Disturbance Effects in Normally Consolidated Clays

The effects of sampling disturbance are investigated by performing single element triaxial tests in which specimens of normally consolidated resedimented Boston blue clay are disturbed according to...
Monitoring the impact of cocaine.

POLLOCK and coauthors 1 describe apparent discrepancies in two surveillance systems—the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), a survey of medical examiners and coroners, and the national vital statistics system—that monitor cocaine-related deaths. Over the years studied, both data systems did an excellent job of recording the dramatic increases in cocaine-related mortality. During the study period, the national vital statistics system reported a fivefold increase in cocaine-related deaths and DAWN reported a sixfold increase. Agreement in trends between these two major data systems confirms increasing cocaine-related mortality during this period of dramatic changes in cocaine use.
Preoperative mapping venography in patients who require hemodialysis access: imaging findings and contribution to management.

Purpose To analyze the use of preoperative venographic mapping in patients who require permanent hemodialysis access. Materials and Methods Ninety-one patients underwent 108 preoperative studies. Sixty-eight (75%) were documented to have ongoing or previous hemodialysis at the time of the study. A total of 154 arms were assessed with venograms (75 right, 79 left); 74 of the patients (81%) had previous access. Venographic mapping was not performed in patients with clearly usable veins as determined by the referring surgeon. Results A total of 170 veins were suitable for access creation (ie, continuous vein of suitable caliber). Of these, 78 were used (40 fistulas [51%] and 38 grafts [49%]), and 87% of accesses were successfully used for dialysis (73% primarily, 14% after additional intervention). Anatomic variants included early brachial-basilic confluence (44%), double terminal cephalic arch (4%), and brachial-basilic "ladders" (7%). Significant central venous stenosis was found in 10% of studies, limiting the ability to use the affected side for access. There were significant associations between (i) the number of previous accesses and access type created ( P = .002, Fisher exact test) and (ii) the number of veins visualized and access type created ( P Conclusions Venography may identify clinically occult veins usable for hemodialysis access. Anatomic variants are common and may affect choice of access site.
Application Of JFets To Low Background Focal Planes In Space

Self-heated JFets, suitable for use in low background focal planes cooled to cryogenic temperatures, have been developed and tested. For feedback resistances of 2 E 10 ohm at 4.2K the noise contributed by the amplifier is less than the Johnson noise of 2 μv/Hz1/2. Excellent dc stability has been demonstrated at a power level of 0.1 mw per JFet. These devices offer the possibility of much improved performance, greater reliability and less sensitivity to nuclear radiation when compared to MosFets.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Local particle view of a propagating pulse

We present exact results for pulse propagation in a dispersive medium, including the contraction and spreading of the pulse, the covariance between position and wave number and other relevant physical quantities. An analogy is made, both physical and mathematical, describing wave propagation as a collection of particles whose motion is simple. We show that wave motion governed by linear wave equations can be mimicked by particles that move with a constant velocity, but where the velocity is a function of the original position of the particles. Using this picture one can understand the behavior of waves in a simple manner. We also develop the same viewpoint from the perspective of the Wigner distribution. 7
Major pancreatic resections for suspected cancer in a community-based teaching hospital: lessons learned.

Background The literature reports 4–10% mortality rate, 30–60% morbidity rate, and 9–29% anastomotic leak rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) performed for periampullary tumors. These data demonstrate a linear relationship between surgical volume and outcome. Methods The objective of this study was to evaluate the experience of a high-volume hospital with low-volume pancreatoduodenectomy for suspected cancer. The study was designed as a retrospective review of medical records of all patients who underwent pancreatoduodenal resection or total pancreatectomy for a suspected periampullary carcinoma between January 1994 and December 2003. The setting of the study was a community-based teaching hospital with a general surgery residency training program. Results A total of 63 patients underwent pancreatoduodenal resection or total pancreatectomy. All procedures were performed by a total of 15 different surgeons; however, 27 operations were performed by one surgeon. Pre-operative diagnosis in most cases was either a known malignancy—27 cases (43%) or a tumor of the head of the pancreas, suspicious for malignancy—36 cases (57%). One patient underwent a total pancreatectomy. In 62 patients a pancreatoduodenal resection (Whipple procedure) was performed. Post-operative 30-day mortality was 4.7% (three patients). Overall in-hospital mortality was 9.5% (six patients). Ten (16.1%) had a leak of the pancreato-jejunal anastomosis, six of which resolved with non-operative management. Of the remaining four patients, three died from peritonitis or consequences of erosive hemorrhage. Conclusions Post-operative leak of the pancreatic anastomosis represents a technical challenge. Although most of the leaks can be treated non-operatively, those that lead to peritonitis or erosive hemorrhage warrant operative intervention. Major pancreatic resections can be performed safely with low rates of morbidity and operative mortality with careful selection of patients at a low-volume community-based teaching hospital. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;95:201–206. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Study of death due to combined action of alcohol and paraldehyde in man

Abstract The present study indicates that there is a combined action of alcohol and paraldehyde that may lead to death in some cases. Caution against overdosage should be exercised in their combined use. During the past several years, we have had the occasion to study nine cases in which the individual died suddenly and unexpectedly following paraldehyde therapy for acute alcoholism. Apparently these patients were in good health, other than for symptoms of alcolholism. Death occurred from 1 2 hour to 4 hours after administration of paraldehyde (30–60ml), and autopsy revealed no morphologic cause of death. Paraldehyde alone may produce death when the dose exceeds 120 ml, but the developing depression (coma) usually precedes death by at least 12 hours. Experiments with mice appear to confirm this combined action of alcohol and paraldehyde.
Ultrastructural studies of in situ devonian spores: Protobarinophyton pennsylvanicum Brauer

Abstract This investigation examines sporoderm ultrastructure in Protobarinophyton pennsylvanicum Brauer (Barinophytaceae), a Devonian vascular plant that produced both large and small spores in the same sporangium. The sporoderm of the small spores is approximately 1.0 μm thick, with irregular gaps in the wall near the outer surface. In the large spores, the sporoderm is approximately 6.5 μm thick and is divided into an unornamented surface layer and a broad, alveolate inner layer. In view of the significant and consistent structural differences in the walls of the spores, it is suggested that the small spores represent microspores and not immature or aborted large spores. The general pattern of sporoderm organization in the two spore types is comparable to that reported previously for Barinophyton citrulliforme, and, more importantly, it is similar to that found in microspores and megaspores of extant heterosporous plants. This similarity suggests that Protobarinophyton pennsylvanicum, like modern heterosporous plants, produced spores that formed endosporic sexually differentiated gametophytes and provides a foundation for suggesting a more precise, biological definition of the term “heterospory” in fossil plants. In this context, sex determination in this unusual Devonian vascular plant is discussed, and it is suggested that the sex of the spores is determined by nutritional factors.
Zero-phonon linewidth of single nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond nanocrystals

Photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in type Ib diamond nanocrystals shows that in spite of spectral diffusion and spin-nonconserving transitions, zero-phonon linewidth as small as $16\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MHz}$, which is nearly lifetime limited, can be observed at low temperature. Relatively small effects of spectral diffusion have also been observed in a small fraction of NV centers.
The Willingness to Pay for Education for Daughters in Contrast to Sons: Evidence from Rural Peru

In most of the developing world the education of women lags behind that of men. This could come about from a lack of parental desire for educated daughters or from a perception by the parents that there is a lower net return to education for girls. The relation between gender and education in rural Peru is explored using data from the 1985-86 Peru Living Standards Survey. A model of educational choice is developed. The estimated demand functions are used to assess the impact of user fees on demand and revenues. The empirical evidence indicates that parents are more willing to pay for reduced travel time to secondary school for boys than for girls. However, parents are willing to pay increased fees for girls' schooling sufficient to generate teachers' salaries. Copyright 1992 by Oxford University Press.
Control of DNA Synthesis and Mitosis by the Skp2-p27-Cdk1/2 Axis

A new study reveals a novel role for p27 in inhibiting Cdk1 activity at G2/M and shows that p27 deficiency almost completely rescues the aberrations observed in Skp2(-/-) mice, demonstrating that p27 is the principal downstream effector of the SCF(Skp2) ubiquitin ligase.
No association between markers of inflammation and osteoarthritis of the hands and knees.

Objective. Local inflammation plays a prominent role in osteoarthritis (OA). This could be reflected in the presence of elevated soluble inflammatory markers. We conducted analyses to assess the association of inflammatory markers with radiographic OA of the hands and knees in a large community-based cohort. Methods. The Framingham Offspring cohort consists of the adult children of the original cohort and their spouses. In 1998–2001 these subjects provided blood specimens that were tested for 17 markers of systemic inflammation. In 2002–2005 these subjects had radiographs of both knees and hands. Each hand and knee joint was assigned a Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) score (0–4). We used logistic regression with generalized estimating equations and adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index to examine the association between each inflammatory marker and the presence of radiographic OA (ROA = KL grade ≥ 2) in any joint. We also constructed models for hand joints and knee joints alone. Results. Radiographs and measures of inflammation were done for 1235 subjects (56% women, mean age 65 yrs). Of that group, 729 subjects (59%) had ROA in ≥ 1 hand or knee joint: 179 (14.3%) had knee OA, and 694 (56.2%) had hand OA. There were no significant associations between any marker of inflammation and ROA. Conclusion. In this large sample, in which OA was carefully assessed and multiple markers measured, we found no evidence of an association between any inflammatory marker and the presence of radiographic OA.
Epidural blood patch for treatment of subarachnoid fistula in children.

Summary A subarachnoid-cutaneous fistula developed in two children after the placement of a catheter in the subarachnoid space for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. The management of this iatrogenic complication with epidural blood patch is described.
Bilateral Ureteral Obstruction After Asymptomatic Appendicitis

X 41-year-old man presented elsewhere in January 1995 with gross hematuria but no pain, dysuria, decreasing urine output, stones or fever. Excretory uography and cystoscopy revealed no source of bleeding and the hematuria resolved spontaneously. The patient continued to have intermittent, painless, gross hematuria every few months and presented to us in August 1996. Excretory urography revealed bilateral hydroureteronephrosis. Computerized tomography demonstrated thickening of the pelvic and retroperitoneal organs consistent with an inflammatory process. Retrograde pyelography revealed bilateral distal ureteral narrowing and a filling defect in the left mid ureter (see figure). LeR ureteroscopy and biopsy showed inflammation. Urine cytology revealed reactive urothelial cells and atypia. A barium enema showed diverticulosis and narrowing at the mid sigmoid colon. Colonoscopy demonstrated an extrinsic compression at thc level of the mid sigmoid colon. Abdominal exploration revealed a necrotic perforated appendix and abscess, and widespread pelvic inflammatory changes compressing both ureters. Left ureterotomy demonstrated a 4 mm. stone. The mass surrounding the left ureter was excised and the ureter was repaired by urcteroureterostomy . On the right side distal ureterectoniy and reimplantation with a psoas hitch were performed to bypass the obstructing phlegmon. Convalescence was uneventful. Accepted for publication November 8, 1996. Retrograde pyelo ama demonstrate right ureteral narrowing (A) and left ureteral &g defect (B) .
Near-white and tunable electrophosphorescence from bis[3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazolato]platinum(II)-based organic light emitting diodes

Abstract A new phosphorescent platinum(II)-pyridyltriazolate complex, bis[3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazolato]platinum(II), Pt(ptp)2, was synthesized and incorporated into organic light emitting diodes for evaluation as electrophosphorescent dopant. Single crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the complex forms columnar stacks stabilized via strong intermolecular Pt(II) ⋯ Pt(II) interactions (3.289 A), making it amenable to form excimers. Three types of phosphorescent emissions are seen for neat and doped thin films of Pt(ptp)2 into 4,4′-bis(carbazol-9-yl)triphenylamine (CBP): structured monomer emission in the blue–green region (λmax ∼ 480 nm), unstructured excimer emission in the yellow region (λmax ∼ 550 nm), and rather broad unstructured extended excimer emission in the orange–red region (λmax ∼ 600 nm). By varying the doping level in x% Pt(ptp)2:CBP thin films, the ratio of monomer to excimer emission could be adjusted leading to tuning both the photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) wavelengths. Doping levels of ∼5–10%v were found to be optimal for both EL efficiency and white color coordinates resulting from simultaneous monomer and excimer emissions. Peak power and luminous efficiencies obtained were 9.8 lm/W and 14 cd/A, respectively, while the peak external quantum efficiency was 6.6% in a standard OLED device structure. The emissions for the 7.5–15%v Pt(ptp)2:CBP devices are characterized by CIE coordinates of ∼(0.3, 0.5), rendering near-white EL with green hue. The CRI increased with dopant concentration, reaching 56 at the 45% doping level. More optimal white EL color could not be attained by fine-tuning the doping level. The devices exhibit good stability at higher current density and brightness levels, which is atypical of phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes. Strategies to attain higher efficiencies and CRI are proposed based on the results of this work.
Pharmacology of current and promising nucleosides for the treatment of human immunodeficiency viruses.

Nucleoside antiretroviral agents are chiral small molecules that have distinct advantages compared to other classes including long intracellular half-lives, low protein binding, sustained antiviral response when a dose is missed, and ease of chemical manufacture. They mimic natural nucleosides and target a unique but complex viral polymerase that is essential for viral replication. They remain the cornerstone of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and are usually combined with non-nucleoside reverese transcriptase and protease inhibitors to provide powerful antiviral responses to prevent or delay the emergence of drug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The pharmacological and virological properties of a selected group of nucleoside analogs are described. Some of the newer nucleoside analogs have a high genetic barrier to resistance development. The lessons learned are that each nucleoside analog should be treated as a unique molecule since any structural modification, including a change in the enantiomeric form, can affect metabolism, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, toxicity and resistance profile.
Gaussian Mixture Models for Human Face Recognition under Illumination Variations

The appearance of a face is severely altered by illumination conditions that makes automatic face recognition a challenging task. In this paper we propose a Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM)-based human face identification technique built in the Fourier or frequency domain that is robust to illumination changes and does not require “illumination normalization” (removal of illumination effects) prior to application unlike many existing methods. The importance of the Fourier domain phase in human face identification is a well-established fact in signal processing. A maximum a posteriori (or, MAP) estimate based on the posterior likelihood is used to perform identification, achieving misclassification error rates as low as 2% on a database that contains images of 65 individuals under 21 different illumination conditions. Furthermore, a misclassification rate of 3.5% is observed on the Yale database with 10 people and 64 different illumination conditions. Both these sets of results are significantly better than those obtained from traditional PCA and LDA classifiers. Statistical analysis pertaining to model selection is also presented.
On the Dynamics of Intermittent-Motion Mechanisms. Part 2: Geneva Mechanisms, Ratchets, and Escapements

The theory developed in Part 1 has been applied to the determination of the dynamic response of three typical types of intermittent-motion mechanisms, namely, Geneva mechanisms, ratchets, and escapements. Insight into the behavior of such mechanisms can be obtained by studying the characteristics of the mathematical model and by numerical experiments. The results, whenever possible, are illustrated by computer-plotted graphs. A comparative study with some limited current investigations on the same subject is provided.
First use of an airborne thermal infrared hyperspectral scanner for compositional mapping

In May 1999, the airborne thermal infrared hyperspectral imaging system, Spatially Enhanced Broadband Array Spectrograph System (SEBASS), was flown over Mon-non Mesa, NV, to provide the first test of such a system for geological mapping. Several types of carbonate deposits were identified using the 11.25 microns band. However, massive calcrete outcrops exhibited weak spectral contrast, which was confirmed by field and laboratory measurements. Because the weathered calcrete surface appeared relatively smooth in hand specimen, this weak spectral contrast was unexpected. Here we show that microscopic roughness not readily apparent to the eye has introduced both a cavity effect and volume scattering to reduce spectral contrast. The macroroughness of crevices and cobbles may also have a significant cavity effect. The diminished spectral contrast is important because it places higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) requirements for spectroscopic detection and identification. This effect should be factored into instrumentation planning and interpretations, especially interpretations without benefit of ground truth. SEBASS had the required high SNR and spectral resolution to allow us to demonstrate for the first time the ability of an airborne hyperspectral thermal infrared scanner to detect and identify spectrally subtle materials.
Individual Differences in the Behavioral Immune System and the Emergence of Cultural Systems

Cultural variation may be evoked through the interaction between domain-specific psychological mechanisms and environmental conditions (Gangestad, Haselton, & Buss, 2006). One such constellation of mechanisms is the behavioral immune system, a cluster of psychological processes evolved to promote disease-avoidance (Schaller, 2006). Previous research demonstrated that higher levels of both historic and contemporary pathogen prevalence are predictive of collectivism across geopolitical regions (Fincher, Thornhill, Murray, & Schaller, 2008). Across two studies, we demonstrate that individual differences in behavioral immune system reactivity (e.g., disgust sensitivity, germ aversion) are associated with variable endorsement of a vertical collectivist cultural orientation and differential value priorities, which are indicative of cultural differences. These findings provide support at an individual level for the proposition of evoked culture.
Rate constant measurement for the OH + OH → H2O + O reaction at 220–320 K using discharge flow/mass spectrometer/resonance fluorescence technique

Abstract The rate constant for the reaction of OH + OH → H 2 O + O (1a) at 220–320 K has been measured under a total pressure of 1 Torr using the discharge flow/mass spectrometer/resonance fluorescence method. The rate constant for the reaction is determined to be k 1a (298 K) = (1.20 ± 0.36) × 10 −12 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 , and found to be negatively dependent on temperature at 220–320 K, with an Arrhenius expression of k 1a = 2.7 × 10 −13 exp[(446 ± 37)/ T ] cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 .
Statistical properties of brown dwarf companions: implications for different formation mechanisms

The mass domain where massive extrasolar planets and brown dwarfs overlap is still poorly understood due to the paucity of brown dwarfs orbiting close to solar-type stars, the so-called brown dwarf desert. In this paper we collect all of available data about close brown dwarfs around solar type stars and their host stars from literature and study the demographics of the brown dwarf desert. The data clearly show a short period and a medium mass gap in the brown dwarf period-mass distribution diagram ($ 35<m\sin i<55 M_{\rm Jup}$ and $P<100$ days), representing the "driest land" in the brown dwarf desert. Observation biases are highly unlikely to cause this gap due to its short period and medium mass, of which brown dwarfs can be easily detected by previous RV surveys. Brown dwarfs above and below this gap have significantly different eccentricity distribution, which not only confirms that this gap is real, but also implies that they may have different origins. Our further statistical study indicates that brown dwarfs below this gap may primarily form in the protoplanetary disk through disk gravitational instability, while brown dwarfs above this gap may dominantly form like a stellar binary through molecular cloud fragmentation. Our discoveries have offered important insights about brown dwarf formation mechanisms and their possible relationships with planet and star formation.
Inertial Upper Stage Thermal Test Program

Abstract : An extensive thermal testing program was performed in an arc tunnel facility in support of an IUS second-stage solid rocket motor (SRM) requalification activity. A three-phase laboratory thermal study of failure scenarios resulted in the following items. First, bursting of the SRM environmental closure was pressure rather than temperature dependent, which allowed full-scale cold-gas simulation of the closure burst sequence. Secondly, arc tunnel ablation measurements of EPDM, a thermal insulative rubber material covering the SRM ignitor housing, were made in both convective and radiative heater environments under varied sample vibration levels to simulate the measured motor vibration environment. Silica phenolic, Grafoil Seal, Thermal- protection materials, Solid propellant rocket engines, Thermal testing.
The crucible of physician performance reports.

Individualized physician performance reports are an emerging phenomena. The narrative piece examines one physician’s experience with individualized physician performance reports. Reforming the data collection process could enhance the value of the reports to stakeholders.
Recent advances in f-element separations based on a new method for the production of pentavalent americium in acidic solution

The peroxydisulfate anion has long been used for the preparation of hexavalent americium (AmVI) from the normally stable AmIII valence state in mildly acidic solutions. However, there has been no satisfactory means to directly prepare the pentavalent state (AmV) in that medium. Some early literature reports indicated that the peroxydisulfate oxidation was incomplete, and silver ion catalysis in conjunction with peroxydisulfate became accepted as the means to ensure quantitative generation of AmVI. Incomplete oxidation would be expected to leave residual AmIII, or to produce AmV in treated solutions. However, until recently, the use of peroxydisulfate as an AmV reagent has not been reported. Here, parameters influencing the oxidation were investigated, including peroxydisulfate and acid concentration, temperature, duration of oxidative treatment, and the presence of higher concentrations of other redox active metals such as plutonium. Using optimized conditions determined here, quantitative AmV was prepared in an acidic solution and the UV/Vis extinction coefficients of the AmV 513 nm peak were measured over a range of nitric acid concentrations. The utility of AmV for separations from the lanthanides and curium by solvent extraction, organic column chromatography and inorganic ion exchangers was also investigated.
Vibration control via disturbance rejection through left eigenvector assignment

The objective of this research is to investigate the feasibility of utilizing left eigenvector assignment for vibration disturbance rejection. In the previous study, it has been shown that through right eigenvector assignment and modal confinement, one can enhance the performance of periodic vibration isolators. However, it was also recognized that since vibration mode confinement is based on the concept of modal response, it does not guarantee that vibration will always be reduced in a forced excitation scenario. In this research, the left eigenvector assignment technique is utilized to achieve vibration suppression throughout a broad frequency range. The principle is to alter the left eigenvectors of the closed-loop system so that the system's forcing vectors are as closely orthogonal to each left eigenvector as possible. With such an approach, one can directly attack the forced response problem. A new formulation is developed so that the desired left eigenvectors of this integrated system are selected through solving a generalized eigenvalue problem, where the orthogonality indices between the forcing vector and the left eigenvectors are minimized. The integrated system with assigned left eigenvectors achieves to reject external disturbance of the complete electromechanical system. An integrated closed-loop system with state estimator is also developed so that the algorithm can be implemented realistically. Numerical simulations are performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method on disturbance rejection for an isolator design example. Frequency responses of the isolator in the selected frequency range are illustrated. It is shown that with the left eigenvector assignment technique, the system"s external disturbances are rejected and vibration amplitude of the isolated regions can be effectively suppressed.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Create-a-Children's Game: An Exercise for Developmental Psychology Classes:

This article describes a create-a-children's-game assignment for a developmental psychology course. Students develop games for children and turn in their constructions with accompanying rules and s...
Pathophysiology and experimental treatment of acute pulmonary embolism.

Abstract Although massive pulmonary embolism can lead to acute circulatory collapse, it is not known if the right ventricle fails because it cannot respond to further increments in filling pressure (descending limb of the Starling curve), or because coronary perfusion is inadequate to support its greatly augmented pressure work. Accordingly, the effects of mechanical reduction in right ventricular pressure work by pulmonary artery counterpulsation and elevation of coronary perfusion pressure by balloon occlusion of the abdominal aorta were assessed when cardiovascular collapse was induced in open-chest dogs by pulmonary embolism. In all seven dogs tested, failure was reversed by pulmonary artery counterpulsation. Right ventricular enddiastolic pressure fell from 6 ± 1 to 3 ± 1 mm. Hg, left ventricular systolic pressure increased from 40 ± 2 to 74 ± 6 mm. Hg, and cardiac output increased from 0.4 ± 0.1 to 1.7 ± 0.6 L. per minute (p
North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks: Five-year assessment and priorities for the future

BACKGROUND: The North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT) are a safety resource created to assist parents in selecting safe work for their children 7-16 years of age. Since their release in 1999, a growing body of scientific evidence has accumulated regarding NAGCAT. The purpose of this project was to assess the current scientific and programmatic evidence regarding the efficacy and utilization of the NAGCAT resource in order to determine the priorities for the next 5 years. METHODS: A systematic, evidenced-based method was employed to accomplish the project objectives. Our data sources included results from a survey of agricultural safety practitioners and researchers, a comprehensive synthesis of the peer-reviewed literature, and recommendations from a priority-setting meeting. RESULTS: Five main priorities were identified: to address the perceptions and barriers associated with the use and non-use of the NAGCAT resource; to revise and re-format a core set of the guidelines; to develop a NAGCAT resource dissemination/marketing plan; to provide training and support for agricultural safety professionals and parents using NAGCAT; and to conduct further research to facilitate accomplishing these priorities. CONCLUSIONS: This assessment and priority identification process was successful in outlining the next steps for the NAGCAT resource. As we move toward 2010, those involved in pediatric agricultural injury prevention will have a blueprint to ensure that NAGCAT are an effective and widely used resource for preventing work-related injuries. Language: en