cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Follow-up effects of a medical school course in human sexuality.

The effects of a course in human sexuality for a class of second-year male medical students are described. The course consists of two interacting components: a 2-day seminar and a 2-week didactic presentation. The purpose of the seminar is to develop humanistic understanding and tolerance of one's own and others' sexuality. The didactic presentation focuses on factual information. A variety of evaluation instruments were used, and students were tested precourse, postcourse, and at the end of 6 and 12 months. Results show a significant pre-post increase in tolerance in attitude and amount of knowledge. There appears to be some moderation in level of attitude and knowledge gain at the 6-months point, and significant increases from the precourse level to the 12-months point persist. Participants almost uniformly report personal benefit, with a significant number describing greater satisfaction in their own sexual behavior.
Neighborhood Variation in Rate of Revascularization among Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients in New York City

Objective. To identify modifiable neighborhood factors and quantify their effect on the rate of revascularization among acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. Method. Using the New York City hospital discharge records during 1998–2002, we employed a hierarchical regression model that integrates patient-level risk factors and neighborhood-level factors to retrospectively examine revascularization patterns among AMI patients. Results. Access to revascularization varied substantially (27%–88%) among neighborhoods. Ready access to a hospital with on-site capacity of revascularization increased the likelihood of receiving the procedure after adjusting for individual-level sociodemographic factors and comorbidity. More than 64% of the variation in rate of revascularization is explained by access to revascularization. Conclusion. Optimizing the AMI patients' delivery system to hospitals with on-site capacity of revascularization might enhance access to needed care thereby help to alleviate the prevailing variation in the rate of revascularization among New York City neighborhoods.
Oral pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of FTY720 in cats

The aim of the study was to determine pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of FTY720 in cats and identify any toxic side effects. Six adult cats were used for the experimental study. Single oral dosages were tested at 0.05, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg. Whole blood drug concentration, total white blood cell and differential counts were monitored. Flow cytometry evaluated the effects on lymphocyte subsets. A toxicity study consisted of cats receiving a dose of 0.15 mg/kg daily for 30 days. Daily observation, physical examination and bloodwork were evaluated to assess for toxicity. All single doses resulted in > or =80% reduction in circulating lymphocytes within 12 h after administration, with the duration of lymphopenia being dose dependent. CD4+ and CD5+ T cells were specifically depleted. Peripheral neutrophils declined by approximately 70% at all dosages tested. No other toxic side effects were observed. Results of this study suggest that FTY720 is effective at inducing a peripheral lymphopenia in cats without any toxic side effects. Currently, cats appear to be the only species in which FTY720 induces a neutropenia. This study provides the foundation for future clinical transplantation trials using FTY720 in cats. By using combination therapy of FTY720 and low dose cyclosporine, the incidence of serious side effects may be reduced while still preventing allograft rejection.
Substituent effects in tetrapyrrole subunit reactivity and pinacol-pinacolone rearrangements: Vic-dihydroxychlorins and vic-dihydroxybacteriochlorins

Regiospecificity of pyrrole subunit OsO4 oxidation in porphyrins is affected significantly by the presence of electron-withdrawing groups on the macrocycle, the oxidation taking place at the subunit in the quadrant opposite to the electronegative group. Migratory aptitudes in subsequent pinacol-pinacolone rearrangements of porphyrin and pheophorbide vic-dihydroxy systems are likewise dependent upon the presence of electron-withdrawing functionalities.
DYNAMICAL SPIN CORRELATIONS IN THE HEISENBERG LADDER UNDER A MAGNETIC FIELD AND CORRELATION FUNCTIONS IN THE SO(5) LADDER

The zero-temperature dynamical spin-spin correlation functions are calculated for the spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ two-leg antiferromagnetic Heisenberg ladder in a magnetic field above the lower critical field ${H}_{c1}$. The dynamical structure factors are calculated, which exhibit both massless modes and massive excitations. These modes appear in different sectors characterized by the parity in the rung direction and by the momentum in the direction of the chains. The structure factors have power-law singularities at the lower edges of their support. The results are also applicable to the spin-1 Heisenberg chain. The implications are briefly discussed for the various correlation functions and the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ resonance in the SO(5) symmetric ladder model.
Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Impacts Language in Early Parkinson's Disease

Although deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the basal ganglia improves motor outcomes in Parkinson's disease (PD), its effects on cognition, including language, remain unclear. This study examined the impact of subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS on two fundamental capacities of language, grammatical and lexical functions. These functions were tested with the production of regular and irregular past-tenses, which contrast aspects of grammatical (regulars) and lexical (irregulars) processing while controlling for multiple potentially confounding factors. Aspects of the motor system were tested by contrasting the naming of manipulated (motor) and non-manipulated (non-motor) objects. Performance was compared between healthy controls and early-stage PD patients treated with either DBS/medications or medications alone. Patients were assessed on and off treatment, with controls following a parallel testing schedule. STN-DBS improved naming of manipulated (motor) but not non-manipulated (non-motor) objects, as compared to both controls and patients with just medications, who did not differ from each other across assessment sessions. In contrast, STN-DBS led to worse performance at regulars (grammar) but not irregulars (lexicon), as compared to the other two subject groups, who again did not differ. The results suggest that STN-DBS negatively impacts language in early PD, but may be specific in depressing aspects of grammatical and not lexical processing. The finding that STN-DBS affects both motor and grammar (but not lexical) functions strengthens the view that both depend on basal ganglia circuitry, although the mechanisms for its differential impact on the two (improved motor, impaired grammar) remain to be elucidated.
Efficient emission from core/(doped) shell nanoparticles: applications for chemical sensing.

We have studied manganese doping of zinc selenide core/zinc sulfide shell nanocrystals (NCs) where the impurity phosphor resides primarily in the shell. We have found that a simple two-step synthesis can be used to create these nontoxic materials that display efficient energy transfer from the core to the Mn doped shell. These core/shell NCs retain ample quantum efficiency (∼25%) when solubilized in water, which opens the possibility of using these materials as bioimaging agents. As recent work has shown that nanocrystals can be functionalized with organic dyes to operate as ratiometric chemical sensing agents, we have conjugated the doped NCs with an organic dye to showcase efficient Forster resonant energy transfer from the shell-doped phosphor to the surface-bound dye. This result indicates that doped NCs can be used to develop nontoxic ratiometric sensing/biological imaging agents.
Long Wavelength Fluorescence Ratiometric Zinc Biosensor

A protein-based emission ratiometric fluorescence biosensor is described that exhibits sensitivity to free zinc ion in solution down to picomolar concentrations. Ratiometric measurements are widely used to assure accurate quantitation, and emission ratios are preferred for laser scanning microscopes such as confocal fluorescence microscopes. The relatively long emission wavelengths used are well suited to studies in tissues and other matrices which exhibit significant fluorescence background, and the apo-carbonic anhydrase moiety recognizes zinc ion with high and controllable specificity.
Biotransformation of the potato phytoalexin, lubimin, by Gibberella pulicaris. Identification of major products

Abstract Gibberella pulicaris (anamorph: Fusarium sambucinum) strain R-7715, biotransformed a potato phytoalexin, lubimin, into several compounds. Products forming between 1 and 6 h after addition of lubimin to cultures were two isomers of isolubimin, isomeric 15-dihydrolubimin, cyclodehydroisolubimin, and two isomers of the previously undescribed 2-dehydrolubimin. After 1–2 days, the novel tricyclic compounds, cyclolubimin (2-dihydrocyclodehydroisolubimin) and 11,12-epoxycyclo-dehydroisolubimin, became an increasing proportion of the mixture at the expense of the early products. Incubation of lubimin with the fungus in the presence of 2H2O resulted in labeling at carbon-3 of cyclodehydroisolubimin, indicating that cyclization was directed toward the double bond of a hypethetical precursor, 3,4-dehydroisolubimin, an early product tentatively identified by its mass spectrum.
Computational study of vortex-induced vibration of a sprung rigid circular cylinder with a strongly nonlinear internal attachment

Abstract For a Reynolds number (Re) based on cylinder diameter of 100, and a ratio of cylinder density to fluid density of 10, we investigate the effect of a strongly nonlinear internal attachment on the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of a rigid circular cylinder restrained by a linear spring, and constrained to move perpendicularly to the mean flow. The variational multiscale residual-based stabilized finite-element method used to compute approximate solutions of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations about the moving cylinder is coupled to a simple model of a “nonlinear energy sink” (NES), an essentially nonlinear oscillator consisting of a mass, a linear damper, and a strongly nonlinear spring. The NES promotes nearly one-way transfer of energy to itself from the primary structure (the cylinder), resulting in reduction of the amplitude of the limit-cycle oscillation by as much as 75%, depending on the parameters characterizing the NES. Various mechanisms of nonlinear interaction of the NES with the cylinder undergoing VIV are discussed. Although no optimization of the NES is performed in this work, we demonstrate capacity for passive suppression of VIV and compare the performance of the NES to the tuned linear absorber of equal mass.
The truth of performatives

(1994). The truth of performatives. International Journal of Philosophical Studies: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 99-107.
Charge multiplication in silicon p-n junctions☆

Abstract The ionization rates for electrons and holes were measured over the ranges of field (3·3–6·6) × 105 V cm for electrons and (3·2–8) × 105 V cm for holes. The dependence on the field is given by α = α∞ exp( b E ). There is no difference between the ionization rate for junctions with dislocations and ones without dislocations, in disagreement with what was previously said by Chynoweth . A new way for determining the threshold energy gives E i = 1·8 ± 0·1 eV for electrons and E i = 2·4 ± 0·1 eV for holes. Finally, we make an attempt to relate the ionization rate to the basic material parameters. It is concluded that the mean free path for optical phonon scattering lies between 70 and 100 A. It is impossible to get a good measure of the mean free path for ionization from the ionization data, but the best experimental fit to theory occurs if the ratio l i l r is taken as 20 ± 10.
An educational mobile robot

The need for construction automation instruction in the civil engineering curriculum is reviewed. A mobile robot suitable for use as a laboratory teaching device was developed. Obstacle sensing and avoidance were performed using ultrasonic sensors and a fuzzy logic controller. Experiences of the students who developed the robot are discussed. It is concluded that a class project provides valuable hands-on experience that reinforces the students' understanding of theory. A background on microcontrollers is provided
Factors associated with clear biopsy margins and clear reexcision margins in breast cancer specimens from candidates for breast conservation

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to identify variables associated with clear biopsy margins and clear reexcision margins of breast cancer specimens from patients who are candidates for breast conservation. Study Design: The records of breast cancer patients were reviewed to identify candidates considered for breast conservation after biopsy. Factors associated with obtaining histopathologically clear excisional biopsy margins and clear reexcision margins were studied in 674 excisional biopsy specimens and in 197 reexcision specimens. Results: Clear biopsy margins were associated with older patient age (p = 0.0446), family history of breast cancer (p = 0.0008), diagnosis by fine needle aspiration (p = 0.0000), small tumor size (p = 0.0010), absence of ductal carcinoma in situ (p = 0.0004), and absence of extensive intraductal carcinoma (p = 0.0117). In multivariate analysis, only diagnosis by fine needle aspiration and small tumor size were associated with clear biopsy margins. Clear margins in reexcision specimens were associated with small tumor size (p = 0.0086), close or unknown biopsy margins (p = 0.0003), and absence of nodal involvement (p = 0.0014). In multivariate analysis only biopsy margin status and node status were associated with clear reexcision margins. Conclusions: These data indicate that obtaining clear biopsy margins is facilitated by small tumor size and by having a preoperative diagnosis by fine needle aspiration. The majority of patients undergoing reexcision will have clear margins although this is significantly less likely when the biopsy margins are involved or when nodal involvement is present.
Coexistent bronchogenic carcinoma and active pulmonary tuberculosis; a report of five cases with autopsy findings.

1)Five cases are reported in which active pulmonary tuberculosis was found in association with bronchogenic carcinoma. 2)The diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma in tuberculous patients is often difficult because the two diseases have many features in common. 3)The following clinical features have been helpful in the diagnosis of the coexistence of the two diseases: (a) Chest pain in the absence of pleurisy or other obvious cause. (b) Profuse, recurring hemoptysis which often occurs as a terminal event. (c) The appearance of an atypical shadow or shadows in serial chest films not in keeping with progressive tuberculosis. 4)Whenever atypical findings are present in a tuberculous patient of the middle or older age group, bronchoscopy and cytological studies of sputum and bronchial aspirated secretions are indicated to rule out complicating carcinoma.
A formal synthesis of (+)-juvabione

Abstract A formal synthesis of (+)-juvabione is presented based on the diastereoselective addition of the enolate of N-acyloxalidinone 3 with η p6 -(C 6 H 5 OC 6 H 5 )Mn(CO) 3 BF 4 .
The Family Role Revolution

Abstract As family life styles change, adults in various family forms handle their marital and parental roles in different ways. This paper examines the implications for social work education of the trend toward symmetry in the major family roles. Drawing on their research of an emerging family form—the egalitarian or role-sharing marriage—the authors conclude that it is becoming outdated to make distinctions on the basis of sex in considering family roles.
228 RECIPIENT PREPARATION FOR SPERMATOGONIAL STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION: ALTERATION IN TESTICULAR CELL COMPONENTS FOLLOWING TRANSIENTLY INDUCED ISCHEMIA

Depletion of endogenous spermatogonial stem cells using busulfan (Brinster et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 69, 412–420) or irradiation (Izadyar et al. 2003 Reproduction 126, 765–774) have been used in preparation of recipient animals prior to transplantation; however, both techniques are not without compromises (severe bone marrow depression or specialized radiotherapy equipment required). Induced testicular ischemia in rams altered spermatic epithelium with germ cell-depleted seminiferous tubules (Markey et al. 1994 Reprod. Fertil. 101, 643–650). The objective was to evaluate testicular transiently induced ischemia (using elastrator bands) in Jersey calves on testicular morphology and development. Treatments (at 27 ± 5 days of age) consisted of control (0, n = 4), banding for periods of 2 h (2, n = 4), 4 h (4, n = 4), and 8 h (8, n = 4). After castration (age: 60 ± 5 days), the right testis of each animal was used for calculation of cell components per testis according to the point counting method. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Body weight (59.8 ± 6.2 kg) and scrotal circumference (SC) at banding (9.1 ± 0.2 cm) did not differ between treatments. Fresh testis weight (TW), scrotal temperature immediately before banding removal (ST), and daily scrotal circumference growth (SC) were decreased (4 and 8 h) in ischemic testes compared to controls (Table 1: P < 0.05). In addition, Sertoli and Leydig cells were severely reduced in the 8-h ischemic treatment (Table 1: P < 0.05). Transiently induced ischemia significantly decreased the number of germ cells in the 8-h group, compared to the 0-, 2-, and 4-h groups (Table 1: P < 0.05). These results suggest that transiently induced ischemia significantly decreases the number of germ, Sertoli, and Leydig cells in the testis. Therefore, these present findings could be applicable for preparation of recipient animals through depletion of endogenous germ cells within the seminiferous tubules. This procedure may provide a suitable environment for transplanted donor germ cell colonization in prepubertal recipient bulls. Table 1. Parameters evaluated under transient-induced ischemia treatments
Environmental contour analysis in earthquake engineering

In many engineering problems the uncertainty in the design and analysis process is dominated by uncertainty concerning the environmentally induced loading on the system. One such type of system is a structure located in high seismic zones, where there is a high level of uncertainty associated with the ground acceleration. In this study the demand caused by the environmental loads is statistically characterized in terms of magnitude, site-to-source distance and attenuation error at a specified structural period. Through the use of a reliability-based procedure known as the Inverse-First Order Reliability Method all of the combinations of the random loading variables that produce a response spectrum with the specified return period may be identified. These infinite number of combinations produce an Environmental Contour that may be derived for the two, three, or four-dimensional case. Because these contours represent an infinite number of combinations of environmental loading random variables, and in turn, a family of response spectra with the same return period, one need only search the Environmental Contour for the response spectrum producing the peak spectral acceleration at the structural period of interest. This study presents a general multi-variate framework focusing on the derivation of these two, three, and four-dimensional Environmental Contours. Initially, the magnitude and site-to-source distance are assumed to be statistically independent. Two and three-dimensional Environmental Contours are derived for this case and critical response spectra for three different, commonly used return periods are examined. Then a hypothetical example in which the site-to-source distance is assumed LogNormal and dependent on magnitude, is used as a basis for discussion for a generic California site. A qualitative discussion between the assumption of independence and dependence between magnitude and site-to-source distance is addressed. Finally, the peak spectral accelerations for the dependent two, three, and four-dimensional cases are compared to one another and the possible consequences associated with increasing the complexity of the environmental contour model analyzed and discussed.
High current density Si field emission devices with plasma passivation and HfC coating

A novel self-aligned process was developed to fabricate gated Si field emission devices. At a gate voltage of 100 V, the emission current from an array of 100 tips increased from 283 to 460 /spl mu/A and the turn-on voltage decreased from 31 to 21 V after H/sub 2/ plasma passivation using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source for 2 min. The improvements correspond to a 1.28-eV reduction in the effective work function of the emitters and the instability of the emission current decreased from /spl plusmn/1,25 to /spl plusmn/0.25% after H/sub 2/ plasma passivation. Emitter tips were also coated with Mo silicide and HfC. The emission current increased from 230 /spl mu/A for uncoated emitters to 268 /spl mu/A for emitters coated with Mo silicide and 389 /spl mu/A for emitters coated with HfC. The turn-on voltage decreased from 50 to 41 and 25 V while the breakdown voltage increased from 126 to 129 and 143 V when Mo silicide and HfC were used for coating, respectively, which correspond to reductions of 0.95 and 2.23 eV, respectively, in the effective work function of the emitters. Single emitter tips have similar emission characteristics as high-density field emitter arrays, indicating excellent emission uniformity from the arrays.
Interlamellar Spacing in Directionally Solidified Eutectic Thin Films

Fault-free lamellar structures were grown in eutectic thin films of Pb-Sn, Cd-Pb, and Al-Al2Cu. The 2 μ thick films were directionally solidified by either a scanning laser or a quartz iodine lamp. A thermal gradient at the solid-liquid interface was estimated to be 8000°C/cm for the laser heat source compared to 200°C/cm for the lamp. In each alloy the lamellar spacing was larger than values estimated from previous experiments with bulk material. Defects in the films were observed to generate V-shaped waves of bent plates that provide a mechanism for increasing the lamellar spacing. Computer-simulated microstructures for two dimensional lamellar growth were made by calculating the diffusion in the liquid ahead of an irregular lamellar structure assuming a planar interface, finding the shape of the solid-liquid interface, and finding the trajectories of the three phase junctions. The mechanism of two-dimensional eutectic growth was discussed.
Electrophysiology of pars compacta cells in the in vitro substantia nigra—a possible mechanism for dendritic release

The electrophysiological properties of neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra have been examined in vitro in guinea pig mesencephalic slices. These cells display a set of voltage- and Ca2+-dependent ionic conductances which confer upon them rather unique electrophysiological characteristics. In particular, the results indicate the presence of two separate dendritic Ca2+ conductances. One is inactivated at rest membrane potential and is de-inactivated by membrane hyperpolarization. The second resembles that responsible for dendritic spikes in other neurons. These conductances fulfil most of the physiological and pharmacological requirements for the ionic mechanisms underlying Ca2+-dependent dendritic release.
Effects of polymerization initiator complexation in methacrylated β-cyclodextrin formulations

Abstract Objectives . Methacrylated β-cyclodextrin (MCD) is a candidate dental monomer that can complex molecules within its hydrophobic cavity. This study determined the effects of complexation of polymerization initiators such as camphorquinone (CQ) and ethyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate (4E) with MCD on the flexural strength (FS) and degree of conversion (DC) of resulting dental composite formulations. Methods . Complexation of CQ and 4E with MCD was studied by thin layer chromatography. A mass fraction of 44% 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate or triethyleneglycoldimethacrylate was mixed separately with a mass fraction of 56% MCD to produce a workable formulation. The mixture was activated with varied amounts of CQ and 4E. One part by mass of the activated resin formulation was mixed with three parts by mass of glass filler. Specimens for FS were prepared by filling molds with composites and curing for 2 min. The cured specimens were immersed in 37 °C water for 24 h and FS was measured with an Instron machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. DC in MCD-based resin formulations was measured with a differential photocalorimeter under nitrogen. Results . MCD appears to form inclusion complexes with CQ and 4E. As a result, FS and DC of MCD-based composites vary significantly as a function of the concentration of polymerization initiators used in the formulations. Significance . Complexation of polymerization initiators with MCD can influence the FS and DC in MCD-based dental formulations and should be taken into consideration when evaluating MCD as a dental monomer.
Geophysical Geodesy: The Slow Deformation of the Earth

Geodesy is devoted to the determination of the shape, size, and gravity field of the Earth. Its methods include triangulation, leveling, gravity surveys, and tracking by artificial satellites. The results of its observations typically hold for time periods varying from a few hours to decades. In contrast, in geophysics (seismology in particular) one deals with very short periods of an hour or less, while in geological processes, one frequently considers periods of a million years or more. In Lambeck's book, the author treats the middle ground between these two geophysical extremes, which is concerned with the slow deformation of the Earth. He quite appropriately calls this geophysical geodesy, and its topics include crustal motion, spatial and temporal variation of the gravity field, rotation, and tidal deformations of the Earth. Hence geophysical geodesy aims to bridge a traditional gap between geodesy and geophysics.
Stable vicinal step orientations in m-plane GaN

Abstract The performance of In x Ga 1− x N-based m -plane LEDs and laser diodes grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on bulk GaN substrates is currently limited by lower indium uptake and inhomogeneous linewidth broadening in the blue spectrum compared to semipolar planes and c -plane. Linewidth broadening is partially attributed to inhomogeneous indium composition that is associated with template morphology. We investigate the morphological evolution of homoepitaxial GaN growth on bulk m -plane substrates in three co-loaded miscut orientations: nominally on-axis, 1° in the – c - direction ( – c -miscut), and 1° in the a -direction ( a -miscut). Atomic force microscopy reveals four-sided pyramidal hillocks for on-axis growth with faces inclined toward the [ 11 2 ¯ 0 ] a -axis ( a -faces) and the [0001] c -axis ( c -faces). The a- faces exhibit steps oriented in an a + c direction with longer terrace widths than the c -face steps. The – c -miscut template growth sometimes forms diagonal striations, characterized by regions with stable a + c step direction. The a -miscut template growth exhibits meandering steps oriented in the a ± c directions that bunch to form diagonal striations. These results reveal that c -direction steps are unstable compared to a ± c directions. We further demonstrate that m -plane GaN substrates with combined a + c miscut lead to narrower In x Ga 1− x N photoluminescence emission spectra in blue with enhanced indium incorporation.
Augmentation of ECG QRS complexes after fluid removal via a mechanical ultrafiltration pump in patients with congestive heart failure.

Background Augmentation of the amplitude of ECG QRS complexes, correlating with loss of weight or fluid volume removed, has been documented in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods We investigated the effect of an ultrafiltration (UF) pump on the fluid removal and the amplitude of ECG QRS complexes in patients with CHF. Nine patients aged 48.3 +/- 10.4 years with CHF were treated with an UF system, and weights, fluid removed, and sums of the amplitude of QRS complexes (SigmaQRS), were inter-correlated. Results UF resulted in removal of 4.62 +/- 1.82 L of fluid, 5.0 +/- 2.9% decrease in the weights (P = 0.002) and 18.1 +/- 16.8% increase in the SigmaQRS (P = 0.012). There was a moderate correlation of % increase in the SigmaQRS and net fluid volume losses (UF + urine - oral intake), (r = 0.67, P = 0.0471, and a poor correlation between % increase in the SigmaQRS and % decrease in weights (r = 0.11, P = 0.77). Correlations of the change in weights after UF with the fluid removed by UF, or with the volume of total fluid loss (including insensible losses) were moderate but barely statistically significant (r = 0.65, P = 0.0559), and (r = 0.65, P = 0.0577), correspondingly. Conclusion Augmentation of the amplitude of QRS complexes correlates well with net fluid loss in response to UF in patients with CHF, and can be employed as an index of effectiveness of therapy. Also, a model of fluid losses in patients treated for CHF is being proposed.
The effects of grain size gradients on the stability of thin films

Summary It has been shown that abnormal grain growth or any other process leading to nonhomogeneous grain size will promote the morphological instability of thin films.
Trends in palatine tonsillar cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States.

Abstract – Objective: The purpose of this paper is to describe the extent of the public health problem presented by palatine tonsillar cancer in the United States by analyzing recent incidence and mortality rate trends. Methods: Using the National Cancer Institutes’ Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program database, age-adjusted incidence rates (1973–2001) for five histological types of palatine tonsillar cancer by race and sex were calculated. For total palatine tonsillar cancer age-specific incidence (1973–2001) and mortality (1969–2001) rates by race and sex were calculated. Mortality and population data were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the U.S. Census Bureau. The Joinpoint Regression Model was employed to establish the statistical significance of incidence and mortality rate trends. Results: The majority of palatine tonsillar cases diagnosed in SEER-9 registries from 1973 to 2001 occurred among white males, age 40–64 years, with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The highest incidence of palatine tonsillar cancer occurred in black males, followed by white males with SCC. For age 40–64 years, palatine tonsillar incidence rates significantly declined for white females and black females, rose and then declined for black males, but increased from 1988 for white males. For age 65+ years, incidence significantly declined among white males. Palatine tonsillar cancer mortality rates for age 40–64 years significantly declined for white females. Rates also declined for black females (1981–2001) and black males (1985–2001) in this age group while rates for white males declined significantly from 1969 to 1987, but stabilized at nearly 0.4 through 2001. Mortality for the age group, 65+, significantly rose and fell for white females and declined for white males. Conclusions: Beginning in the late 1980s, and continuing through 2001, the risk for white males, age 40–64 years, of developing palatine tonsillar cancer increased. In contrast, the risk for white males, age 65 years and older, of developing palatine tonsillar cancer and of dying from this disease decreased during the study period.
Wirth, Whiskey, and WASP's: Some Consequences of Community Size for Alcohol Use*†

Several themes in Wirth's “Urbanism as a Way of Life” generate the prediction that alcohol use (versus nonuse) will be more widespread among residents of urban areas. Multiple regression analysis of data from two recent national polls (1966, 1968) reveals support for this prediction. With eight other key sociological variables simultaneously controlled, the greater the urbanism of a community (measured in terms of community size), the greater the proportion of alcohol users it contains. To make certain that this association is due to urban conditions (as opposed to merely the absence of rural forces which encourage abstinence), the effects of rural forces are reduced by omitting the most rural categories of the community size measure of urbanism, and the data are reexamined. The association still persists, basically because of the larger proportion of middle to upper status, white, and Protestant alcohol users in the more urban areas.
Proceed with Caution: Uncommon Wisdom about Academic and Student Affairs Partnerships:

Collaborations between student affairs professionals and faculty are typically viewed as essential to the creation of successful student learning environments. Not so fast, says Peter Magolda, who warns that collaborations are more complicated than they may first appear. Embark on joint ventures with care.
Fourth‐order compact schemes for solving multidimensional heat problems with Neumann boundary conditions

In this article, two sets of fourth-order compact finite difference schemes are constructed for solving heat-conducting problems of two or three dimensions, respectively. Both problems are with Neumann boundary conditions. These works are extensions of our earlier work (Zhao et al., Fourth order compact schemes of a heat conduction problem with Neumann boundary conditions, Numerical Methods Partial Differential Equations, to appear) for the one-dimensional case. The local one-dimensional method is employed to construct these two sets of schemes, which are proved to be globally solvable, unconditionally stable, and convergent. Numerical examples are also provided. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2007
Expression, mechanisms and chemistry of resistance in soybean, Glycine max L. (Merr.) to the soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker)

The soybean plant introduction (PI)227687 is highly resistant to 16 different insect pests of soybean in Australia, Brazil, Taiwan and the United States. In most of the pest Lepidoptera, resistance is expressed as greatly increased mortality in the later larval instars. The soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker) is most severely affected in the final larval instar. Antibiotic effects include reduced weight gain, growth rate and increased mortality. These effects are enhanced by mechanically wounding foliage 24 hr prior to larval consumption. Antibiosis appears to be due to the combined effects of a feeding deterrent and a growth inhibitor. Resistance is location-specific on (PI)227687 plants and occurs abruptly on the third fully-expanded leaf from the plant apex. Larval growth on leaves of the susceptible variety ‘Davis’ is similar to or greater than that of the upper, susceptible leaves of (PI)227687. Resistance appears to be chemically based, since larvae fed artificial diets containing leaf extracts exhibit antibiotic symptoms similar to those fed fresh (PI)227687 leaves.
Optimal algorithms for planar over-the-cell routing in the presence of obstacles

In two layer standard cell design methodology, if both M1 and M2 layers are used for intra-cell routing, then the entire M2 layer will not be available for over-the-cell routing. In this case, the intra-cell routing segments in the M2 layer can be considered as obstacles, and the over-the-cell routing in the M2 layer has to be completed around these obstacles. In this paper, we present an optimal algorithm to solve the problem of planar over-the-cell routing in the presence of arbitrary shaped obstacles (PROBES), in O(Kn/sup 2/) time, where K is the number of tracks on the over-the-cell area of a cell-row, and n is the number of nets. Our algorithm can be further extended, to solve PROBES optimally, when at most d doglegs are allowed for routing, in O(K/sup d+1/n/sup d+2/) time, where d/spl ges/0 is a constant.
Cell death in the failing heart: Role of an unnatural growth response to overload–Cell death in the failing heart

Hypertrophy of the overloaded heart, characterized by an increased number of sarcomeres, provides an adaptive, short-term response. However, when cardiac overload is long-standing, the hypertrophic response appears to cause shortened myocyte survival. The mechanisms responsible for the deleterious effects of chronic myocardial hypertrophy may include a maladaptive growth response of the mature heart. Because terminally differentiated adult cardiac myocytes have little or no capacity to divide, stimuli that promote growth in the overloaded adult heart cannot lead to normal cell division. Instead, overload initiates an unnatural growth response that appears to shorten cardiac myocyte survival, possibly because the same growth factors that mediate the hypertrophic response of the adult heart can also induce programmed cell death (apoptosis). The converting enzyme inhibitors and nitrates, which have growth-inhibitory as well as vasodilator effects, may improve prognosis in heart failure by inhibiting the production of transcription factors. These transcription factors stimulate both the unnatural growth response to overload and stimuli that lead to apoptosis. Since both beta-adrenergic agonists and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, can stimulate production of similar transcription factors, evidence suggests that beta blockers and vesnarinone improve the prognosis in patients with heart failure possibly because of their ability to inhibit maladaptive growth.
Cytokines and Chemokines at the Crossroads of Neuroinflammation, Neurodegeneration, and Neuropathic Pain

Cytokines and chemokines are proteins that coordinate the immune response throughout the body. The dysregulation of cytokines and chemokines is a central feature in the development of neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and demyelination both in the central and peripheral nervous systems and in conditions of neuropathic pain. Pathological states within the nervous system can lead to activation of microglia. The latter may mediate neuronal and glial cell injury and death through production of proinflammatory factors such as cytokines and chemokines. These then help to mobilize the adaptive immune response. Although inflammation may induce beneficial effects such as pathogen clearance and phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, uncontrolled inflammation can result in detrimental outcomes via the production of neurotoxic factors that exacerbate neurodegenerative pathology. In states of prolonged inflammation, continual activation and recruitment of effector cells can establish a feedback loop that perpetuates inflammation and ultimately results in neuronal injury. A critical balance between repair and proinflammatory factors determines the outcome of a neurodegenerative process. This review will focus on how cytokines and chemokines affect neuroinflammation and disease pathogenesis in bacterial meningitis and brain abscesses, Lyme neuroborreliosis, human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis, and neuropathic pain.
Algorithms to accelerate rare event simulation with Markov chain modeling in wireless telecommunications networks

The paper recommends an effective approach to estimate probability of buffer overflow in wireless telecommunications networks. The buffer overflow probability in queuing systems is defined as a rare event and can be estimated using rare event simulation with Markov chains. Two-node queuing networks are considered in this paper; and an event of buffer overflow at the second node is studied. Probability of a rare event that the content of the second buffer would exceed some high level L, starting from a certain state, is analyzed. The approach is based on Markov additive representation of the buffer processes, leading to exponential change of measure, which is used in an Importance sampling method. The examples, considered in this paper, confirm that when the first buffer is finite, the relative error is bound independent of some high level L. However, when the first buffer is infinite, a natural extension of exponential change of measure for finite buffer case is proposed. The relative error is shown to be bound independent of L only when at the second node is a bottleneck, i.e. buffer overflow may occur. However, when at the first node is a bottleneck, experimental results confirm that the relative error is linearly bound to the level L. Two efficient rare event simulation algorithms, based on the Importance sampling and Cross-entropy methods, are developed and applied to accelerate the overflow probability simulation with Markov chain modeling in wireless telecommunications networks. Numerical examples and simulation results are provided.
Gauss's Variational Equation-Based Dynamics and Control for Formation Flying Spacecraft

Formation flying is an enabling technology for many future space missions, and this paper presents several modeling and control extensions that would enhance the efficiency of many of these missions. In particular, a new linear time-varying form of the equations of relative motion is developed from Gauss’s variational equations. These new equations of motion are further extended to account for the effects of J2, and the linearizing assumptions are shown to be consistent with typical formation flying scenarios. It is then shown how these models can be used to initialize general formation configurations and can be embedded in an online, optimization-based, model predictive controller. A convex linear approach for initializing fuel-optimized partially J2 invariant orbits is developed and compared with analytic approaches. All control methods are validated using a commercial numerical propagator. Thesimulationresultsillustratethatformation flyingusingthismodelpredictivecontrollerwithJ2-modifiedGauss’s variational equations requires fuel use that is comparable to using unmodified Gauss’s variational equations in simulations that do not include the J2 effects. Nomenclature a = semimajor axis b = semiminor axis e = eccentricity h = angular momentum i = inclination M = mean motion n = orbit frequency p = semilatus rectum r = magnitude of radius vector � = argument of latitude � = right ascension of the ascending node ! = argument of perigee
Inter-states water disputes in India: an analysis of the settlement process

India is facing major challenges in its water resources management sector. The upsurge in population is ensuing in a steady decline in per capita water availability. Urbanization and industrialization are putting more pressure on water use. The spatial and seasonal variations, resulting in droughts and floods, are compounding water resources management problems. Moreover, the major rivers in India are shared by two or more states. With the increasing demand for water which largely falls under the authority of the states, and with the states increasingly asserting their legal and political power, inter-states water disputes are in the rise and are getting more complex and contentious. The article reviews and analyzes the process for resolving such water disputes.
Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of UCN-01 in combination with irinotecan in patients with solid tumors

Purpose 7-Hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01) is a protein kinase inhibitor that inhibits several serine–threonine kinases including PKC and PDK1. Due to the preclinical synergistic effects seen with topoisomerase I inhibitors and non-overlapping toxicity, UCN-01 and irinotecan were combined in a dose-finding study designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), toxicity profile, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of UCN-01 and irinotecan.
Beneficiation of selected industrial minerals and coal by high intensity magnetic separation

This paper presents the results of test work performed with a Pacific Electric Motors (PEM) high intensity magnetic separator (20 kilogauss), a unit capable of separating weakly, as well as strongly, magnetic minerals in the particle size range of sands to clays. Tests were performed on selected industrial minerals and two Indiana coals. With some minerals excellent separations were attained and with others intermediate and poor separations were accomplished. This study is a preliminary survey and many of the intermediate and poor results can be improved as separation problems are worked out with additional test work.
Elastic light-scattering spectroscopy for discrimination of benign from malignant disease in thyroid nodules.

Background Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. The current standard of diagnosis, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, yields approximately 10–25% of indeterminate results leading to twice as many thyroidectomies for further diagnosis. Elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS) is a new, minimally invasive optical-biopsy technique mediated by fiber-optic probes that is sensitive to cellular and subcellular morphological features. We assessed the diagnostic potential of ESS in the thyroid to differentiate benign from malignant thyroid nodules as determined by histology.
Boosting and Additive Trees

Boosting is one of the most powerful learning ideas introduced in the last ten years. It was originally designed for classification problems, but as will be seen in this chapter, it can profitably be extended to regression as well. The motivation for boosting was a procedure that combines the outputs of many “weak” classifiers to produce a powerful “committee.” From this perspective boosting bears a resemblance to bagging and other committee-based approaches (Section 8.8). However we shall see that the connection is at best superficial and that boosting is fundamentally different.
Split and Subsume: Subscription Normalization for Effective Content-Based Messaging

Content-based publish/subscribe networks (CPSNs) scale to large numbers of publishers and subscribers by having brokers summarize subscriptions from subscribers and down-stream brokers based on coverage relationships ("subsumption") between subscriptions. A broker forwards the summary to brokers which are upstream on the routes to the publishers. Current summarization and event processing mechanisms induce heavy event processing load on brokers, leading to low event throughput and high latency and further sharp performance degradation under high rates of churn, i.e., addition, deletion, or modification of subscriptions. This paper describes Beretta, a novel CPSN that leverages a simple model of typed events, enabling a succinct and uniform normalized representation of subscriptions. This in turn supports highly effective subsumption and attribute-wise split filtering with matching complexity logarithmic in the number of subscriptions, and enables the systematic introduction of parameters into subscriptions to support both parametric and structural updates. We empirically demonstrate that our techniques significantly improve throughput and latency of event propagation and reduce response times to subscription updates.