cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extinction following the differential control of a conditioned positive reinforcer

Rats were given continuous reinforcement in a lever chamber with water as a primary reinforcer and a water-dipper click as a secondary reinforcer. They were then given extinction with no primary or secondary reinforcement. The lever was then removed. Ss were divided into five groups which experienced the following contingencies: placement in the chamber with out shock, dipper-click presentations, shock presentations, click and shock presentations that were not contingent on each other, and forward conditioning click-shock pairings. All groups were then given extinction with the click following each response. The groups aligned themselves in extinction in the order given above (the forward-conditioning click-shock group showed the least resistance to extinction). Significant differences in extinction were found between groups that experienced shock and groups that experienced no shock.
Novel formulations and new mechanisms of delivering chemotherapy.

The identification of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangements and the development of targeted therapy for patients with these molecular alterations ...
The Evolution of evaluation: Lessons from the Message Understanding Conferences

Abstract The Message Understanding Conferences (MUCs) represent one of the earliest and longest running efforts to evaluate language understanding technology. This article reviews the history of the MUCs and their evolution towards the use of common training and blind test sets, automated scoring, task decomposition into modular building blocks and tools for portability across languages and applications. Now that evaluation has become an accepted part of the developer's toolkit, it is important to understand the interplay between evaluation methods and the state of research. MUC was successful in generating excitement about text processing problems and in attracting talented researchers to the area. It also provided a functional decomposition of the information extraction problem into a series of simpler problems, thus allowing researchers to demonstrate successful systems and to spin off commercial products. However, the ultimate goal of accurate information extraction has been elusive; systems have become faster and cheaper to build, the evaluations have become harder, but overall accuracy in information extraction has improved only modestly. The MUC experience contrasts with experiences in other evaluations. For example, the spoken evaluation in the Air Travel Information System (ATIS) has shown dramatic improvement in error rate over time, but those evaluations were limited to a single domain and the metrics did not address interaction, even though real-time interactive systems were available. Looking across the history of MUC in the context of related evaluations, we can draw important lessons about the need for evaluation to evolve with the technology it evaluates, to balance costs against benefits and to weigh the divergent needs of the multiple stake-holders— developers, funders and users—in order to provide continuity while also providing the next set of challenges to the research community.
Evaluation of respiratory protection programs and practices in California hospitals during the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza pandemic

Background Emergence of the novel 2009 influenza A H1N1 virus in California led to an evaluation of hospital respiratory protection programs (RPPs) and practices by the California Department of Public Health during the 2009-2010 influenza season. Methods Onsite evaluation of 16 hospitals consisted of interviews with managers and health care workers about RPPs and practices, review of written RPPs, and limited observations of personnel using respirators. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results All hospitals had implemented policies requiring the minimum use of N95 filtering facepiece respirators when working with patients with H1N1 virus infection; 95.5% of health care workers (n = 199) reported they would wear at least this level of protection when in close contact with a patient with confirmed or suspected H1N1 virus infection. However, evaluation of written RPPs indicated deficiencies in required areas, most commonly in recordkeeping, designation of a program administrator, program evaluation, employee training, and fit testing procedures. Conclusions Health care workers were aware of respiratory protection required when providing care for patients with confirmed or suspected H1N1 virus infection. Hospitals should improve written RPPs, fully implement written procedures, and conduct periodic program evaluation to ensure effectiveness of respirator use for health care worker protection. Increased accessibility of resources tailored for hospital respirator program administrators may be helpful.
Evolution in predator–prey systems

Abstract We study the adaptive dynamics of predator–prey systems modeled by a dynamical system in which the traits of predators and prey are allowed to evolve by small mutations. When only the prey are allowed to evolve, and the size of the mutational change tends to 0, the system does not exhibit long term prey coexistence and the trait of the resident prey type converges to the solution of an ODE. When only the predators are allowed to evolve, coexistence of predators occurs. In this case, depending on the parameters being varied, we see that (i) the number of coexisting predators remains tight and the differences in traits from a reference species converge in distribution to a limit, or (ii) the number of coexisting predators tends to infinity, and we calculate the asymptotic rate at which the traits of the least and most “fit” predators in the population increase. This last result is obtained by comparison with a branching random walk killed to the left of a linear boundary and a finite branching–selection particle system.
SPR's New AGU Fellows

Ed Hones is a senior staff member in the Space Plasma Physics Group within the Earth and Space Sciences Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (Los Alamos, N.Mex.). He has been at Los Alamos since 1965; prior to that time he was at DuPont, Wilmington, Del. (1951–1959), the Convair Corporation, San Diego, Calif. (1959–1961), the Institute of Defense Analysis, Washington, D.C. (1961–1964), and the University of Iowa, Iowa City (1964–1965). Ed's undergraduate degree was in engineering from Duke University (Durham, N.C.) in 1943, after which he served several years in the Navy. He then returned to Duke for graduate studies, receiving his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering in 1951.
Convergence of solutions of backward stochastic equations

We establish conditions for the weak convergence of solutions of backward stochastic equations in the case of the weak convergence of coefficients.
Ready or Not: Predicting High and Low School Readiness Among Teen Parents’ Children

Past research has documented compromised development for teenage mothers' children compared to others, but less is known about predictors of school readiness among these children or among teenage fathers' children. Our multidimensional measures of high and low school readiness incorporated math, reading, and behavior scores and parent-reported health. Using parent interviews and direct assessments from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort, we predicted high and low school readiness shortly before kindergarten among children born to a teenage mother and/or father (N≈800). Factors from five structural and interpersonal domains based on the School Transition Model were measured at two time points, including change between those time points, to capture the dynamic nature of early childhood. Four domains (socioeconomic resources, maternal characteristics, parenting, and exposure to adults) predicted high or low school readiness, but often not both. Promising factors associated with both high and low readiness among teen parents' children came from four domains: maternal education and gains in education (socioeconomic), maternal age of at least 18 and fewer depressive symptoms (maternal characteristics), socioemotional parenting quality and home environment improvements (parenting), and living with fewer children and receiving nonparental child care in infancy (exposure to adults). The findings preliminarily suggest policies that might improve school readiness: encouraging maternal education while supplying child care, focusing teen pregnancy prevention efforts on school-age girls, basic socioeconomic supports, and investments in mental health and high-quality home environments and parenting.
Giant J-wave (Osborn wave) unrelated to hypothermia.

A 30-year-old male was admitted for gastroenteritis with abnormal serum calcium [ionized Ca2+ (ICa) of 4.1 mg/dL] which was corrected …
WE-D-224A-02: Evaluation of Kv CBCT-Based Dose Verification

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of using kilovolt cone‐beam CT(CBCT) for dose calculation and investigate the feasibility of using kv CBCT for patient dose verification. Method and Materials: A solid water phantom and phantoms consisting of a stack of polystyrene slabs with three types of 3cm inserts (the same polystyrene material, lung‐ and bone‐equivalent material) were used to evaluate the accuracy of CBCT‐based dose calculation. Planning CT(GE Discovery‐ST) and CBCT (Varian Trilogy) images of each of the phantoms were acquired. In each case, single‐beam plan with a variety of field sizes and 5‐beam IMRT treatment plans were prepared based on both planning CT and CBCTimages. In addition, the optimized fluence maps from the CT‐based IMRT plan were used recomputed the dose on the CBCT phantom images and the results were compared with that of the original treatment plan based on CT. Point dose and film measurements were also carried out and compared. The same comparison also was performed for a prostate patient and a head‐and‐neck patient. Results: The recalculated dose distribution based on the CBCT and the intended fluence maps from the treatment plan agreed each to less than 3% for the homogeneous solid water or polystyrene phantoms. A similar level of agreement was found between the calculations and point dose measurements. For inhomogeneous phantoms, the discrepancy between the two sets of calculations depended on the spatial location, which ranges from 1% to 6%. The comparison of DVH curves suggested the same. When compared with measurements, a larger discrepancy was observed between the CBCT‐based calculations and measured doses. Conclusion: Our data suggest that, at present, the image quality of the CBCT is not satisfactory for accurate dose verification, and the Hounsfield number should be corrected before CBCTimages can be utilized for dose verification.
Interdisciplinary undergraduate education: water as life, death, and power and the certificate in global health disparities

Abstract Background Central Michigan University's student chapter of Universities Allied for Essential Medicines organised a conference on global health disparities in April, 2011. From this conference came a student-driven initiative to develop interdisciplinary courses on health-related topics, and courses centred on global health and social justice. We describe the preparation and assessment of an interdisciplinary course about water. Methods The course was cotaught by the anthropology, biology, and chemistry faculty to 28 undergraduate students with anthropology, biology, chemistry, and other majors. The course combined waterborne diseases and water treatment with cultural-related and power-related barriers to clean water. The course included a student-mentored seminar stressing activism on water-related issues. The course's theme examined the effect of cholera, a waterborne disease, in a global context. Findings Analysis of pre-class and post-class questions about student attitudes via a written questionnaire showed an increase in social awareness and desire to continue to act towards solutions of global problems. For example, of 29 questions concerning civic engagement issues, all 29 responses showed an increase in agreement, with 11 showing statistically significant increases (28 degrees freedom). Assessment of student interdisciplinary thinking showed trends towards an increased ability to solve complex issues with interdisciplinary logic for seven of eight groups of students (the eighth group kept its high level). Interpretation The student initiative led to the development of an interdisciplinary course that included activism. This course has been expanded to an interdisciplinary undergraduate certificate in global health disparities and might lead to an interdisciplinary major or minor in the future. Funding Central Michigan University (CMU) Faculty Center for Innovative teaching (FaCIT).
Romantic jealousy: Emotions and communicative responses

Two independently conducted studies investigate the relations between jealousy-related emotions and communicative responses. In Study 1, participants provided open-ended accounts of specific jealousy episodes, from which descriptions of jealous communication were coded. Study 2 examined whether people tend to experience jealousy-related emotion and use communicative responses to jealousy in systematic and related ways. Across both studies, fear and anger were central to the experience of jealousy. Various combinations of emotion predicted the different communicative responses to jealousy. For example, violent communication was predicted by high levels of hostility and low levels of guilt, while communication with the rival was predicted by high levels of passion and hostility. These results suggest that people are likely to express jealousy differently depending on the specific emotions they experience.
In Vitro Strand Exchange Promoted by the Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 Single Strand DNA-binding Protein (ICP8) and DNA Helicase-Primase

The genome of herpes simplex virus type-1 undergoes a high frequency of homologous recombination in the absence of a virus-encoded RecA-type protein. We hypothesized that viral homologous recombination is mediated by the combined action of the viral single strand DNA-binding protein (ICP8) and helicase-primase. Our results show that ICP8 catalyzes the formation of recombination intermediates (joint molecules) between circular single-stranded acceptor and linear duplex donor DNA. Joint molecules formed by invasion of a 3'-terminal strand displaces the non-complementary 5'-terminal strand, thereby creating a loading site for the helicase-primase. Helicase-primase acts on these joint molecules to promote ATP-dependent branch migration. Finally, we have reconstituted strand exchange by the synchronous action of ICP8 and helicase-primase. Based on these data, we present a recombination mechanism for a eukaryotic DNA virus in which a single strand DNA-binding protein and helicase cooperate to promote homologous pairing and branch migration.
Spatially Specific Deficits in Processing Graphemic Representations in Reading and Writing

We report the performance of two brain-damaged subjects, HB and ML, whose spelling performance is characterized by selective impairment in processing the side of words contralateral to their brain damage. A striking feature of these patients' performance was the fact that their spelling errors in all tasks--written naming, written and oral spelling, and delayed copy transcription--almost exclusively concerned the right half of words (in the case of HB) or the left half of words (in the case of ML), regardless of length of the target response. These patterns of performance are interpreted as indicating damage at the level of the grapheme description computed in all spelling tasks. We also discuss the additional observations that HB tended to complete words with nonrandom letter sequences in misspelling the final half of the word and that ML tended to preserve the initial letter of the word (in forward but not backward spelling) even when she made errors on other letters in the initial half of the word. Finally, the relationship between these spatially specific impairments of reading and writing and their relationship to spatially specific deficits in non-lexical tasks is reviewed.
Left ventricular activation time in normal men.

Simultaneous recordings from right and left precordial leads in 50 normal individuals were obtained. The duration of rS in lead V1, was always equal to or greater than the duration of qR in lead V7. Evidence is presented to support the thesis that the duration of rS in lead V1, is a more accurate index of left ventricular activation time than the duration of qR in the left precordial leads.
Diffusion and trapping of positive muons in niobium

Using zero- and longitudinal-field muon spin relaxation, the conventional interpretation of the "double-humped" behavior of the ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}$-depolarization rate in Nb has been established unambiguously. Thus the ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}$ mobility is shown to increase monotonically with temperature. The widths of the magnetic field distributions (due to the Nb nuclear moments) and the rates for finding or escaping from traps have been measured at several temperatures. In addition, equations are presented which govern the time evolution of the ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}$ polarization, when the muons are finding traps, escaping from traps, or both, for zero, longitudinal, and transverse external magnetic fields. A method for including the effect of more than one kind of trap acting at a particular temperature is given.
On using percentiles to fit data by a johnson distribution

The well-known Johnson system of distributions was developed by N. L. Johnson (1949). Slifker and Shapiro (1980) presented a criterion for choosing a member from the three distributional classes (SB,SL, and Sv) in the Johnson system to fit a set of data. The criterion is based on the value of a quantile ratio which depends on a specified positive z value and the parameters of the distribution. In this paper, we present some properties of the quantile ratio for various distributions and for some selected z values. Some comments are made on using the criterion for selecting a Johnson distribution to fit empirical data.
Firing dinas in a tunnel kiln with natural gas

The firing of products for open-hearth, cooking, and glass furnaces and electric-steel furnaces was developed in a tunnel kiln 180 m long. Firing can be done on a level with other types of fuel with natural gas, the combustion of which should be done with double duct burners.
Relationship between subsidence and volcanic load, Hawaii

A computer analysis of tide-gage records in the northeast Pacific indicates that the active volcanic islands of eastern Hawaii are subsiding at a rate considerably faster than the eustatic rise of sea level. The rate of absolute subsidence increases progressively toward the center of current activity on the Island of Hawaii. Honolulu, Oahu, appears to be stable; Kahului, Maui, is subsiding at 1.7 mm per year; and Hilo, Hawaii, is subsiding at 4.8 mm per year. This subsidence is apparently related to downbowing of the crust throughout a zone 400 km in diameter by the weight of volcanic material added to the crust by active volcanoes, principally Mauna Loa and Kilauea on the Island of Hawaii. The Hawaiian Arch encircles the subsiding zone and may be uplifted by material moving down and outward from the zone of subsidence.
Baseline Testing of a Filter Press and Solid-Bowl Centrifuge for Dewatering Coal Thickener Underflow Slurry

Laboratory testing was conducted to evaluate the performance of a plate-and-frame filter press and solid-bowl centrifuge for dewatering a bituminous coal refuse slurry. Filter press testing was conducted using a pilot-scale Technicas Hidraulicas (TH) filter press, which contains a single set of plates. The unit is also equipped with an air-blow system to remove additional moisture from the filter cake voids. Testing was conducted to evaluate the effects of filter time on filtrate flow and solids content, cake moisture, solids recovery, and unit capacity. Product moistures ranged from 27.3% to 29.6%. Filtrate solids contents were less than 0.6% with solids recoveries over 98%. The unit capacities ranged from 73 kg/hr/m2 to 131 kg/hr/m2, with the lower values corresponding to the lower cake moistures. Centrifuge testing was conducted using a Sharples P660 solid-bowl centrifuge. Testing was conducted at several slurry feed rates at one dam setting with another test at a second dam setting. Product moistures ...
In-service and Pre-service Teachers' Perceptions of a Web-based, Case-based Learning Environment

Abstract Understanding teachers' perceptions of a web-based, case-based learning environment provides insight into the effective development and deployment of such conditions for preparing educators. CaseNET–a web-based, case-method teaching environment for professional educators–serves as both a source of information as well as a space for inservice and preservice teachers to interact with one another and to contemplate current educational issues as they relate to real-world teaching. A qualitative analysis of over 400 participants was conducted and results provided. Participants perceived CaseNETas an opportunity to engage in professional development via exploration, reflection, collaboration, and hands-on interactions with authentic teaching tasks. Results suggest that the combination of cases and technology provides a valued opportunity to engage developing teachers in professional behaviors.
Power Delivery for 3-D Chip Stacks: Physical Modeling and Design Implication

3-D integration creates vast opportunities to improve performance and the level of integration in nanoelectronic systems. However, 3-D integration presents many challenges for power delivery network design due to larger supply currents and longer power delivery paths compared to 2-D systems. In this paper, an analytical physical model is derived to incorporate the impact of 3-D integration on power supply noise. The model has less than 4% error compared to SPICE simulations. Based on the model, design guidelines and opportunities for reducing power supply noise, such as inserting “decap” die and through-vias, are discussed in this paper.
Subjective versus objective combining of forecasts: An experiment

The paper reports results of an experiment conducted to evaluate subjective versus objective combination of forecasts. The subjects were undergraduate students at Texas A&M. The students forecasted two different types of time series. The results found show that the subjective combination of forecasts improves their accuracy as compared with individual efforts. Four ex-ante weighting methods were also used to combine the forecasts. They all improve the accuracy of the forecasts. The best results, though, were from the subjective combination of forecasts.
Human Ecology of Shellfish Exploitation at a Prehistoric Fishing-Farming Village on the Pacific Coast of Mexico

ABSTRACTShellfish remains excavated from an early agricultural village on the Pacific Coast of Mexico (Guerrero) indicate a dietary shift from locally obtained estuarine shellfish (1400–1100 BC) to a greater diversity of mollusks collected from more distant marine environments (900–500 BC). The timing of this shift suggests that it occurred as human populations increased and impacted the availability of local estuarine resources. We argue that this prompted the incorporation of a more diverse array of shellfish species harvested at greater distances or obtained via trade, possibly with the use of boats to transport shellfish and other resources back to the village.
CORTISOL-4-C14 IN THE ADRENAL OF THE NORMAL AND VITAMIN C DEFICIENT GUINEA PIG1

Metabolism of cortisol-4-C14 has been studied in normal and in vitamin C deficient guinea pigs. Cortisol-4-C14 and its metabolites were found in the adrenal gland after the intravenous injection of labeled cortisol. Compared to normal animals, guinea pigs that have been on ascorbic acid deficient diet for 7 or 14 days showed a more rapid loss of the labeled material from the adrenal gland. This rapid disappearance was unique for the adrenal gland and was not observed in plasma, liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus of vitamin C deficient animals. This finding supports the idea that vitamin C may effect synthesis, exchange, and release of cortisol in the adrenal cortex.
A Resource-Process Framework of New Service Development

Motivated by the increasing attention given to the operational importance of developing new services, this paper offers a theoretical framework that integrates both process- and resourceoriented perspectives of new service development (NSD) by defining and organizing 45 practice constructs for NSD-related practices and activities that occur in contemporary service firms. We employ a rigorous procedure whereby both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered through multiple rounds of interviews and card-sorting exercises with senior service managers. This iterative refinement process helps ensure that the construct domains and definitions are consistent and that they are applicable across multiple service sectors. A primary contribution of this research is to provide precise operational definitions of theoretically important NSD practice constructs. Importantly, this study expands on the NSD literature by including both resource- and process-centric perspectives within a single framework. A second contribution is to illustrate a general methodology for developing clear, concise, and consistent construct definitions that may be generally useful for production and operations management scholars interested in new construct development for emerging areas. Empirical results suggest that the resource-process framework can help guide and organize future research on, and provide insight into, a more comprehensive view of new service development.
Impaired contractile recovery after low-flow myocardial ischemia in a porcine model of metabolic syndrome.

Clinical metabolic syndrome conveys a poor prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome, not fully accounted for by the extent of coronary atherosclerosis. To explain this observation, we det...
Effect of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Properties of Dense AIN Sintered with Y2O3 Additions

The secondary phase constitution in two sintered AlN ceramics (1.8% and 4.2% Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} additions) was studied as a function of heat treatment temperatures between 1,750 and 1,900 C under pure nitrogen atmosphere. The effect of the phase constitution on the physical properties, such ad density, thermal conductivity (K), and lattice constants, and on the mechanical properties in three-point bending, was also investigated. Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} was found to getter dissolved oxygen from the AlN lattice below 1,850 C, but evaporated at 1,850 C and above. Y{sub 4}Al{sub 2}O{sub 9} appeared to sublimate below 1,850 C in the atmosphere used in this study. Depending on the secondary phase constitution, heat treatment affected thermal conductivity favorably or adversely. Occasionally, samples with similar lattice oxygen contents were found to have different thermal conductivities, suggesting that factors besides dissolved oxygen can also influence K. Lattice parameter measurements indicated that, within the small range of lattice oxygen concentrations in the AlN samples studied, the c-axis was more sensitive than the a-axis to oxygen content.
A Unique Drug Treatment Program for Pregnant and Postpartum Substance-Using Women in New York City: Results of a Pilot Project, 1990–1995

In the 1980s, there was virtually no drug treatment for pregnant women in New York City, especially women who used crack cocaine. The purpose of the Parent and Child Enrichment (PACE) demonstration project was to assess the effectiveness of the one-stop shopping model of drug treatment for this population. Among PACE clients, 88% were primarily users of crack cocaine. The mean total length of stay was 100.0 days (median 55.5 days). Client retention 42 days after intake was 54.3%. This paper describes the essential components of this program model. “Long-stay” and “short-stay” clients were compared using urine toxicology tests and activity logs. In addition, the birth outcomes of clients were compared to two similar populations. A strong positive correlation was found between total length of stay and low rate of positive urine drug tests (UDTs). Infants of PACE long-stay clients had greater mean birth weight, less low birth weight, and less intrauterine growth retardation than the infants of the comparison...
Image and the Art of History

I offer the quotations above to remind our readers that art historians have been concerned as much with the historical cultural basis of vision as with the study of material objects and their production and hence will readily assent to Martin Jay's insistence upon "the cultural variability of ocular experience" (p. 9). On the other hand, most art historians will probably not find Jay's interesting and well-written book, Downcast Eyes, entirely congenial to their ways of thinking, for the view from his "high flying balloon" (pp. 70, 587), however thrilling at times, is too far above "the distinct historical manifestations of visual experience" (p. 9) to engage the concerns of such historically minded scholars, who may well find that the distance produces a flattening effect that obscures the very terrain they would rather see in shaded contours and differentiating relief. Jay is aware of the "totalizing" effects that his approach imposes upon his material (pp. 17, 86-87), and he acknowledges that the diverse claims about vision he documents and attempts to link together would reveal a "loose discourse about visuality" rather than "actual transformations in sensual practice" (p. 587) in early moder and modem Western culture, France in particular. But, indeed, it is precisely because Jay's analysis of discourse about the visual-"that being a corpus of more or less loosely interwoven arguments, metaphors, assertions, and prejudices that cohere more associatively than logically" (p. 16)-has no purchase on historically situated practices of image making and reception that art historians, and presumably other sorts of historians, may not be convinced that the discourse Jay constructs from his chosen texts (however "loose") has much substance. On the basis of what criteria has Jay selected his evidence of proand antiocular thought in the past and of the denigration of vision in modern times? Or
Advanced methodology for spectrum engineering

This paper describes a novel concept and its supporting methodology, referred to as Radio Ecology/sup TM/, which consider not only technical parameters, but also regulatory and economic factors in order to provide optimal solutions to complex radio compatibility and spectrum engineering problems. A practical example related to UMTS and IS-95 technologies is given to illustrate the impact and usefulness of the proposed methodology.
Impulse Loading of Sinuous Antennas by Ferroelectric Generators

A complete, compact system for generating a high E-field using ferroelectric generators (FEG) and sinuous antennas is presented. Significant advances in explosively driven ferroelectric generators have made them reliable, compact high voltage sources. These generators were used in a series of experiments to drive a variety of sinuous antennas. Design of the FEG - antenna systems are discussed. Open air testing and the associated instrumentation are presented as example of a low cost system that can be disposable when used with explosive generators. Sinuous antennas have several unique properties that make them of interest for impulse loading and experimental data elucidating these advantages are presented.
A Survey of Medico-Legal Practice Patterns Among Pain Specialists

Objective. Pain clinicians are increasingly asked to provide expert commentary in a variety of medico-legal or forensic contexts. The purpose of this study was to discover the frequency and type of medico-legal activity undertaken by pain specialists, their familiarity with current guidelines, and their opinions with respect to a need for formal ethical or practice guidelines. Design. Members of the New England Pain Association were surveyed with a 20-item questionnaire addressing specific areas of practice including the completion of disability forms, letters/attorney reports, depositions, testimony in court, record reviews, and return-to-work forms. Respondents also were asked to distinguish medico-legal activities for their patients from those that occurred for third parties. Setting/Participants. Participants included pain specialists from a range of disciplines represented by the membership of a regional pain society. The response rate was 67%, with a total of 144 returned surveys. Results. Survey data revealed that 72% of pain specialists had engaged in some form of medico-legal work within the past year. Of those who engaged in this work, 96% completed this work as a treating clinician for their patients. While the majority of respondents engaged in activities such as the completion of disability forms, other high frequency activities included depositions and testimony. Differences between physicians and nonphysicians also were noted. Results revealed that the majority of pain specialists supported the development of guidelines for medico-legal practice. It was suggested that pain societies move to develop ethical and/or clinical practice guidelines to address this issue.
Characterization of the FAD binding domain of cytochrome P450 reductase.

Abstract The redox potentials of FAD and FMN of Cytochrome P450 reductase (reductase) are equivalent in solution but differ by 138 mV when bound to reductase. The interaction of each flavin with its flavin binding domain confers the unique electron transferring abilities to each flavin. In order to determine flavin binding properties and activity of the FAD binding domain, we have expressed in pTrcHis three fragments (1161, 1244, and 1556 bp) of rat liver reductase cDNA encompassing the proposed FAD and NADPH binding domain. The FAD binding fragments from cells harboring the 1161- and 1556-bp-containing vectors were stable and bound 0.66 and 0.71 mol FAD/mol enzyme, respectively. Both fragments reduce ferricyanide (54 and 104% of FMN-less reductase/mol bound flavin, respectively) and participate in the transhydrogenation reaction of 3-AcPyADP (41 and 65% of FMN-less reductase/mol bound flavin, respectively). FAD-less fragments were purified and reconstituted with 8-amino-FAD and 8-chloro-FAD to determine binding efficiencies.
Data Manipulating Functions in Parallel Processors and Their Implementations

This paper shows that there exists a class of functions called data manipulating functions (DMF's), in sequential as well as paralel processors. The circuits used to achieve these functions can be considered to form an independent functional block, called a data manipulator. A basic organization applicable to both sequential and parallel processors is then suggested. The main deviation of a parallel processor orgaization from the conventional Von Neumann organization is seen to be in the bit-slice (bis) manipulating functions. A comprehensive set of bis manipulating functions from the categories of permuting, replicating, spacing and masking is given. Implementation of the last category, the masking functions, is usually through a mask register by defining its content (mask pattern). It is found that for many operations the required mask patterns are periodic and/or monotonic. The upper bounds of generating these patterns are found. The techniques and designs of two data manipulators for the first three categories of DMF's (permuting, replicating, spacing) are given. Periodic and monotonic mask patterns are also used to help in implementing some of these functions. In addition, it is shown that the data manipulator designs presented in this paper are extremely flexible to suit the requirements of various parallel processors.
Effects of carbohydrate quantity and glycemic index on resting metabolic rate and body composition during weight loss

Objective To examine the effects of diets varying in carbohydrate and glycemic index (GI) on changes in body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and metabolic adaptation during and after weight loss. Methods Adults with obesity (n = 91) were randomized to one of four provided-food diets for 17 weeks. Diets differed in percentage energy from carbohydrate (55% or 70%) and GI (low or high) but were matched for protein, fiber, and energy. Body weight, body composition, RMR, and metabolic adaptation (measured RMR–predicted RMR) were measured during weight loss and subsequent weight stability. Results No effect of dietary carbohydrate content or GI on body weight loss or percentage of weight lost as fat mass (FM) was observed. Measured RMR was significantly lower (−226 kJ/day [95% CI: −314 to −138 kJ/day], P < 0.001) than predicted RMR following weight loss, but this difference was attenuated after 5 weeks of weight stability. Metabolic adaptation did not differ by dietary carbohydrate content or GI and was not associated with weight regain 12 months later. Conclusions Moderate-carbohydrate and low-GI diets did not preferentially reduce FM, preserve lean mass, or attenuate metabolic adaptation during weight loss compared to high-carbohydrate and high-GI diets.
Climate Change and Fetal Health: The Impacts of Exposure to Extreme Temperatures in New York City

Background: Climate change is projected to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves while reducing cold extremes, yet few studies have examined the relationship between temperature and fetal health. Objectives: We estimate the impacts of extreme temperatures on birth weight and gestational age in Manhattan, a borough in New York City, and explore differences by socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: We combine average daily temperature from 1985 to 2010 with birth certificate data in Manhattan for the same time period. We then generate 33 downscaled climate model time series to project impacts on fetal health. Results: We find exposure to an extra day where average temperature 25 F and 85 F during pregnancy is associated with a 1.8 and 1.7 g (respectively) reduction in birth weight, but the impact varies by SES, particularly for extreme heat, where teen mothers seem most vulnerable. We find no meaningful, significant effect on gestational age. Using projections of temperature from these climate models, we project average net reductions in birth weight in the 2070- 2099 period of 4.6 g in the business-as-usual scenario. Conclusions: Results suggest that increasing heat events from climate change could adversely impact birth weight and vary by SES.
Combined therapy of oncolytic adenovirus and temozolomide enhances lung cancer virotherapy in vitro and in vivo

Oncolytic adenoviruses (OAds) are very promising for the treatment of lung cancer. However, OAd-based monotherapeutics have not been effective during clinical trials. Therefore, the effectiveness of virotherapy must be enhanced by combining OAds with other therapies. In this study, the therapeutic potential of OAd in combination with temozolomide (TMZ) was evaluated in lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The combination of OAd and TMZ therapy synergistically enhanced cancer cell death; this enhanced cancer cell death may be explained via three related mechanisms: apoptosis, virus replication, and autophagy. Autophagy inhibition partially protected cancer cells from this combined therapy. This combination significantly suppressed the growth of subcutaneous H441 lung cancer xenograft tumors in athymic nude mice. In this study, we have provided an experimental rationale to test OAds in combination with TMZ in a lung cancer clinical trial.
Interaction of certain bovine immunoglobulins with complement in a single radial haemolysis system

Bovine IgG1, IgG2, and IgM initiated haemolysis by bovine complement. With guinea pig complement bovine IgG1 and IgM appeared effective, but bovine IgG2 was much less effective. Single radial haemolysis systems using guinea pig complement to measure bovine antibody are likely to detect predominantly IgG1 and IgM. However, in vivo IgG2 should activate bovine complement.
Tor and circumvention: lessons learned

Tor is a free-software anonymizing overlay network that helps people around the world use the Internet in safety. Tor’s 2500 volunteer relays carry almost 10Gb/s of traffic for several hundred thousand users each day.
Vaulted VPN: compartmented virtual private networks on trusted operating systems

Virtual Private Networks for IPSec based on an intermediate packet-redirector in network-protocol stacks are becoming increasingly common for many standard operating systems and represent a well-understood method for retro-fitting such systems with IPSec support. This report describes how a different design structured around a Trusted Operating System can offer better security, performance and robustness. We describe in detail an implementation of an IPSec VPN consisting of a series of compartmented, concurrently executing IPSec stacks. The motivations and security-related benefits behind each design decision are discussed. In addition, we show how a configuration of independent IPSec stacks based on this design can be configured to execute in parallel for greater performance on single-threaded kernels, and how its design allows individual component-failures without affecting the system as a whole.
Terrorism as a Way of Life

It has been a truism in politics that friends and enemies are never stable categories, and the ruthless advocacy of self-interest, which is not calculated to introduce idealism into political relations, is intrinsic to the logic of the nation-state. Great Britain, which wags it's tail when the master shouts, and has in consequence become an embarrassment to nations with even a modicum of pride, might appear to be an anomaly: it has long enjoyed a "special relationship" with the United States. In George Bush's joint address to Congress shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, Britain was described as America's truest friend. Ironically, the last attack upon the mainland United States was perpetrated by the British during the War of 1812. They sacked Washington and burned most of the city, including the White House and the Capitol, to the ground. In contemporary times, it is with shock that one recalls the mujahideen being welcomed to the White House by President Reagan as "freedom fighters" and...
From Noise to Signal: The Age and Social Patterning of Intra-Individual Variability in Late-Life Health

Objectives Despite a long tradition of attending to issues of intra-individual variability in the gerontological literature, large-scale panel studies on late-life health disparities have primarily relied on average health trajectories, relegating intra-individual variability over time to random error terms, or "noise." This article reintegrates the systematic study of intra-individual variability back into standard growth curve modeling and investigates the age and social patterning of intra-individual variability in health trajectories. Method Using panel data from the Health and Retirement Study, we estimate multilevel growth curves of functional limitations and cognitive impairment and examine whether intra-individual variability in these two health outcomes varies by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, using level-1 residuals extracted from the adjusted growth curve models. Results For both outcomes, intra-individual variability increases with age. Racial/ethnic minorities and individuals with lower socioeconomic status tend to have greater intra-individual variability in health. Relying exclusively on average health trajectories may have masked important "signals" of life course health inequality. Discussion The findings contribute to scientific understanding of the source of heterogeneity in late-life health and highlight the need to further investigate specific life course mechanisms that generate the social patterning of intra-individual variability in health status.
Retrospect and Prospect—Listening through a Wet Filter

The knowledge that fishes and other underwater denizens make sounds goes back to prehistory, and many reviews of early reports are available (see Tavolga 1977a for example). The logical corollary to this, i.e., that fishes can hear these sounds, is an idea of only recent origin. Weber (see Tavolga 1976a) presented his morphological evidence as far back as 1820, but it took more than a hundred years and the work of several major research biologists to show that Weber was indeed correct in his surmise and in his comparisons between fish and mammalian inner ears. As late as the 1920s, scientists were still arguing as to whether fish could hear anything at all. Some of those considered to be among the giants of modern biology have contributed to the study of this problem, e. g., Karl von Frisch, G. H. Parker, and Sven Dijkgraaf (see Tavolga 1976a).
Commitment to Curricular Planning and Assessment as Reflected in Department Websites

Responding to a national study that found social science disciplines as the least likely among the disciplinary clusters studied to identify student learning outcomes and to assess, this study uses a content analysis of department websites to provide greater understanding of how political science departments describe their curricula. The authors evaluated programs for the clarity of student learning outcomes and the intentionality of the curriculum. Two institutional characteristic variables (public status and Carnegie classification) and accreditation region were tested using an ordered logistic regression to evaluate whether they were significantly related to the level of curricular planning and assessment. Results show that 27% of departments systematically identify the student learning outcomes they seek. Ten percent go further to connect the learning outcomes to the curricular structure used to guide achievement of them. The logistic regression supports the existence of relationships between both Carnegie classification and accreditation region and the dependent variable, “curricular planning and assessment.”