cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of elective induction of labor with favorable Bishop scores versus expectant management: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective. To determine if elective induction (IND) increases the risk of cesarean delivery compared to expectant management (EM).Methods. A randomized clinical trial involving women ⩾39 weeks' gestation, according to strict dating criteria, with a Bishop score of 5 or more in nulliparous patients and 4 or more in multiparous patients. The control group was expectantly managed and delivered for obstetric indications, but not later than 42 weeks' gestation. The study had 80% power to detect a three-fold increase in cesarean delivery.Results. One-hundred-and-sixteen patients (45 nulliparous) were randomized to IND and 110 (58 nulliparous) to EM. Demographic characteristics were no different between the groups. The cesarean delivery rate in the IND group was 6.9% (8/116) compared to 7.3% (8/110) in the EM group (p = NS). Rates of cesarean delivery for nulliparous patients randomized to IND compared to EM were also not significantly different: 13.3% (6/45) versus 10.3% (6/58) respectively (p = NS). Neonates d...
Should Travelers with Hypertension Adjust Their Medications When Traveling to High Altitude

Abstract Luks, Andrew M. Should travelers with hypertension adjust their medications when traveling to high altitude? High Alt. Med. Biol. 10:11–15, 2009.—When advising travelers to high altitude, clinicians should consider how their patient's underlying medical conditions may be affected by the high altitude and whether changes are necessary in their medical regimen. Given the high prevalence of hypertension in the general population, it is a common medical condition that is often considered in this regard. Little information exists, however, to guide the management of this condition at high altitude. This review considers the available data regarding systemic blood pressure responses and the risks of worsening blood pressure control at high altitude and which antihypertensive medications are more effective for blood pressure control in this environment. The available evidence suggests blood pressure rises to a modest extent in patients with mild to moderate hypertension upon acute ascent to high altitud...
Characterization of failure in cross-anisotropic soils

Drained true triaxial tests on dense Santa Monica Beach sand deposited with a cross-anisotropic fabric have been performed to study the failure condition in the principal stress space. The failure surface was assumed to be symmetric around the vertical axis (on the octahedral plane of the principal stress space), but varying as a function of the Lode angle. Data from previously performed consolidated-undrained true triaxial tests on San Francisco Bay Mud and data from triaxial compression, triaxial extension, and plane strain tests on Toyoura sand showed similar behavior in terms of effective stresses. A three-dimensional failure criterion is proposed for characterization of failure in cross-anisotropic soils, under commonly occurring conditions when loading and depositional directions coincide and no significant rotation of principal stresses occur. This cross-anisotropic criterion is developed using a coordinate rotation of the principal stress space and utilization of an existing isotropic failure formulation. Derivation of the three required parameters is explained and illustrated. The proposed criterion is compared with various experimental results; and it is demonstrated that the failure criterion for cross-anisotropic soils captures the experimental behavior with good accuracy.
Persistent cytomegalovirus infection: Association with profound immunodeficiency and treatment with interferon

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was repeatedly isolated from urine and saliva of a 20-month-old male child with recurrent episodes of pneumonia, high fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, oral ulceration, and neutropenia. Immunologic evaluation revealed decreased serum IgG and IgA, increased IgM, depressed T- and B-lymphocyte functions, and decreased natural killer (NK) activity for herpes simplex-type I virus-infected targets. NK activity was augmented following exposure of the patient's lymphocytes to interferon (IF) in vitro. The child was treated with interferon (four courses, dosage varying from 2 million U/day to 1 million U three times/week for periods of 10, 28, 80, and 67 days, respectively, interspersed over 9 months) and hyperimmune plasma infusions every 3 weeks. Toward the end of interferon therapy oral Levamisole was started and a feeding gastrostomy was inserted to provide nutritional support. Clinical recovery was associated with reversal of immunologic abnormalities except for the hypogammaglobulinemia. Aggressive antiviral therapy (e.g., with IF) followed by immunostimulation (e.g., with Levamisole) may prove effective in controlling certain viral infections in immunodeficiency disorders.
Calcium fluxes accompanying the action of 5-hydroxytryptamine on mussel hearts

Abstract 1. Isolated, superfused ventricles of Geukensia demissa demissa were soaked in artificial seawater containing radiocalcium (45Ca). The efflux of 45Ca into cold seawater was analyzed, and the effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the efflux was studied. 2. The control 45Ca efflux contained three identifiable components with the following time constants: τ1 = 2.27 ± 0.30 min; τ2 = 8.8 ± 1.1 min; and τ3 = 133.1 ± 39.2 min. 3. Excitation by 5-HT (10−6 M) caused an immediate systolic contracture and a transient increase in 45Ca efflux. The source of this efflux was depleted by a single, 10 min episode of 5-HT excitation. 4. When 5-HT was washed out, an efflux increase of long duration was observed. The time constant (9.3 ± 1.8 min) was identical to that of the second control component, τ2. 5. 5-HT caused excitation by decreasing the net calcium efflux, thereby increasing intracellular free calcium. No such change was associated with cardioinhibition by 5-HT.
Political Scientists in Presidential Campaigns

Following is a list of words and terms that the political scientist who finds himself or herself in a presidential campaign should never use: epistemic concepts of democracy multivariate logistic models exogeneity hegemony macropartisanship collective rationality philosophical dialectic valuably These terms and others like them may or may not have meaning in a presidential campaign—the point however, is that presidential campaigns are not exercises in theory or in scholarship, they are exercises in communicating to the lowest common denominator in the American public. Because of this they develop a culture and a set of norms that are as anti-intellectual as those found in any reputable truck stop in America (not to mention a vocabulary of four letter words that would put most truckers to shame).
Review of expert systems in bulk power system planning and operation

Advantages and disadvantages of expert systems are discussed. An overview of expert system applications being developed or considered high potential is given. >
POLICE REPORTING OF PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS TREATED IN HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS

Drawing on a study of injured pedestrians and bicyclists treated at hospital emergency rooms in California, New York, and North Carolina, an attempt was made to match the emergency room cases to state motor vehicle crash data, and to analyze the factors associated with the occurrence of a match. The purpose is to (1) provide additional information on the likely level of underreporting of pedestrian— and bicycle—motor vehicle collisions on state crash files and (2) examine whether cases that are reported differ in any systematic way from those that are not reported. A total of 388 pedestrian- and 255 bicycle-motor vehicle cases were available for inclusion in the analysis, with 56 percent of the pedestrian and 48 percent of the bicycle cases matched to state crash files. After adjusting for other potential confounders, pedestrians who were hospitalized or killed were 1.3 times more likely to be reported on the state crash files than were pedestrians receiving emergency room treatment only; those struck in ...
Silver-activated Nitrocellulose as Recording Material for X-Ray Microscopy

ELECTRON optical enlargement of X-ray absorption micrographs has been discussed by Pattee1 and Asunmaa2. A contact micrograph is recorded on a thin layer of material sensitive to X-rays in which the absorbed radiation promotes physical or chemical changes that modify the areal electron density. For example, there may be a decomposition resulting in soluble products which are afterwards removed3. A relief image with details of submicroscopic scale then shows an electron optical contrast. For electron optical enlargement of an X-ray absorption micrograph (instead of a replica of it) certain conditions are necessary, particularly if the electron micrograph is to reproduce the quantitative properties of the X-ray absorption images2.
Word Familiarity, Syllabic Stress Pattern, and Stuttering

The correspondence of stuttering and linguistic characteristics of utterances has led to speculations that a source factor for stutter events is a speaker’s inadequate formulation of the speech cod...
Interstitial brachytherapy in the treatment of advanced and recurrent vulvar cancer.

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the role of interstitial brachytherapy in vulvar cancer management. Study Design: From 1985-1992 we performed a retrospective study of patients treated at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. Results: Eleven patients received interstitial brachytherapy, with (n = 5) or without (n = 6) external beam radiotherapy, for locally advanced (n = 5) or recurrent (n = 6) vulvar cancer. Local control was achieved in all patients. Ten patients have died of disease at a mean interval of 33 months from the time of treatment, with 9 patients having maintenance of local control at death. One patient is alive without disease after 77 months of follow-up. There were 2 cases of local necrosis (18%) and 1 case of rectovaginal fistula (9%). Conclusion: Local control of advanced vulvar cancer can be achieved with interstitial brachytherapy, with or without external beam radiotherapy. With improved systemic therapy this treatment modality may be used to salvage women with bulky, symptomatic tumors. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:91-8.)
Presidential Accountability: New and Recurring Problems

The Problem of Presidential Accountability Presidents, National Security, and Civil Liberties Presidential Accountability in Controlling Intelligence Exercise of the President's Discretionary Power in the Criminal Justice Arena Celebrity Politics Reagan's Imperial Presidency The Loss of Presidential Accountability Selected Bibliography Index
Quality of life in pancreatic cancer: analysis by stage and treatment.

In pancreatic cancer patients, survival and palliation of symptoms should be balanced with social and functional impairment, and for this reason, health-related quality of life measurements could play an important role in the decision-making process. The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of life and survival in 92 patients with different stages of pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical and/or medical interventions. Patients were evaluated with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy questionnaires at diagnosis and follow-up (3 and 6 months). At diagnosis, 28 patients (30.5%) had localized disease (group 1) and underwent surgical resection, 34 (37%) had locally advanced (group 2), and 30 (32.5%) metastatic disease (Group 3). Improvement in quality of life was found in group 1, while in group 3, it decreased at follow-up (p = 0.03). No changes in quality of life in group 2 were found. Chemotherapy/chemoradiation seems not to significantly modify quality of life in groups 2 and 3. Median survival time for the entire cohort was 9.8 months (range, 1–24). One-year survival was 74%, 30%, and 16% for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively (p = 0.001). Pancreatic cancer prognosis is still dismal. In addition to long-term survival benefits, surgery impacts favorably quality of life.
Coexpression of a constitutively active plasma membrane calcium pump with GFP identifies roles for intracellular calcium in controlling cell sorting during morphogenesis in Dictyostelium.

Abstract To examine the potential role of calcium in regulating Dictyostelium development, we reduced free cytosolic and total cell Ca 2+ in Dictyostelium cells by expressing a constitutively active form of a human erythrocyte plasma membrane calcium pump. The pump-expressing cells lacked a thapsigargin-mediated increase in cytoplasmic calcium, consistent with a reduced level of total cellular Ca 2+ . During aggregation, the cells initially formed a large number of aggregation centers, many of which coalesced to form mounds that were smaller than those of wild-type cells, and the cells did not exhibit the normal formation of elongated aggregation streams. The majority of the mounds either arrested at this stage with the formation of small protrusions or formed very aberrant finger-like structures, indicating an essential role for cellular calcium in morphogenesis. We used pump and wild-type cells differentially labeled by expressing different wavelength (green and blue) forms of green fluorescent protein and three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of serial fluorescent imaging to visualize the movement of pump and wild-type cells within the aggregate. The results showed that the pump cells exhibited very aberrant cell movement and sorting within the forming mound, suggesting that the reduced cytosolic calcium affects movement required for tip formation. When allowed to form chimeric organisms with wild-type cells, pump cells preferentially localized to two bands, one at the prestalk/prespore boundary and the other in the very posterior of the organism, suggesting that pump cells are unable to properly sort. Expression of the calcium pump had little effect on the induction of prestalk- or prespore-specific genes, whereas extended treatment with EGTA blocked induction of both classes of cell-type-specific genes. Our results suggest a role for intracellular Ca 2+ in controlling cell sorting and morphogenesis in Dictyostelium.
Paramagnetic Effect in Nano-opal-lead Structure

We report magnetic studies of the paramagnetic effect observed in the superconducting nano-structured opal-lead system. Positive magnetization is clearly observed when the sample is cooled in field. The paramagnetic effect is strongly dependent on the applied field and the cooling rate. The results suggest that the paramagnetic moment is due to flux trapping and the competition between the positive and negative moments due to the temperature dependence of the penetration depth.
Removal of Intraaortic Balloon without Vascular Complications

Abstract A technique for inserting and removing the intraaortic balloon pump without vascular complications is described. Prevention of clot formation at the graft-arterial junction, preservation of collateral circulation by insertion in the common femoral artery, removal of potentially infected graft material, and enlargement of the common femoral artery by patch angioplasty are important factors.
Oxygen isotope evidence of climate change from pedogenic clay minerals in the Himalayan molasse

Abstract In this study, we examine the oxygen isotope ratios of smectite and kaolinite in a stratigraphic sequence of paleosols in the Siwalik Himalayan molasse on the Potwar Plateau, northern Pakistan. There is a 3–4%o increase in the smectite δ 18 O values synchronous with a ∼ 3.5%o increase in δ 18 O values of pedogenic calcite at 8.5–6.5 Ma (previously observed by Quade et al., 1989). The covariation of the δ 18 O values of smectite with calcite gd 18 O values through time strongly suggests a pedogenic origin of smectite and that its δ 18 O values reflect the oxygen isotope ratio of the soil water present during pedogenesis. These data show that the δ 18 O values of clay minerals in paleosols in aggrading sedimentary sequences are viable paleoclimate indicators. Kaolinite δ 18 O values are similar to smectite δ 18 O values, as would be expected for pedogenic kaolinite, but there is greater variation in these data which we attribute to incomplete mineral separation. The measured permil oxygen isotope fractionation between calcite and smectite within individual paleosols is, on average, ∼3%o higher than the equilibrium fractionation. This isotopic disequilibrium can be explained by the calcite forming predominantly during the dry winter season and the smectite forming predominantly during the wet summer season. The synchronous 3.5%o increase in oxygen isotope ratios of smectite and calcite at 8.5–6.5 Ma indicates that this 18 O/ 16 O increase is not due to diagenesis, but rather results from a climate change. The most likely causes of the 18 O/ 16 O increase in smectite and calcite are either increased aridity resulting in increased soil water evaporation (thus 18 O enrichment) and/or a change from more continental to more marine-sourced precipitation. The Tibetan Plateau, which is suggested to have undergone rapid uplift around 8 Ma (e.g., Harrison et al., 1992), may have acted as an effective orographic barrier to low δ 18 O precipitation originating from central Asia, causing higher δ 18 O values of the precipitation falling on the Potwar Plateau. Currently it is impossible to distinguish between these two potential causes of the 18 O/ 16 O increase at 8.5–6.5 Ma, but these clay mineral δ 18 O values support that there was a significant climate change in this region.
Electrospinning of neat and laponite-filled aqueous poly(ethylene oxide) solutions

Electrospinning is reported for viscoelastic aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and with added nanoclay (laponite). A weak correlation between fiber diameter and the spinning solution's zero-shear viscosity is observed and compared with previous work reported by McKee et al. (McKee et al., Macromolecules 2004, 37, 1760). A new analysis of electrospinning results for PEO indicates a universal correlation between fiber diameter and solution properties that does not include shear viscosity as a primary variable. The addition of laponite nanoclay to the PEO solutions, which has been previously shown to result in rheologically simple solutions, leads to different fiber morphologies for the same shear viscosity in contradiction with reports for titania particles (Drew et al., J Macromol Sci Part A: Pure Appl Chem 2003, 40, 1415). The research identifies additional physicochemical properties that are important in determining electrospun fiber morphology.
The Paragon implementation of the NX message passing interface

Implementing high performance message passing for the Paragon parallel supercomputer and its OSF/1 operating system presented many unique challenges. We chose a message passing design which complements the rich feature set of the hardware and the operating system. We show how the implementation meets the challenges while continuing to make progress in higher performance. >
Media bias in presidential elections: a meta-analysis

A meta-analysis considered 59 quantitative studies containing data concerned with partisan media bias in presidential election campaigns since 1948. Types of bias considered were gatekeeping bias, which is the preference for selecting stories from one party or the other; coverage bias, which considers the relative amounts of coverage each party receives; and statement bias, which focuses on the favorability of coverage toward one party or the other. On the whole, no significant biases were found for the newspaper industry. Biases in newsmagazines were virtually zero as well. However, meta-analysis of studies of television network news showed small, measurable, but probably insubstantial coverage and statement biases.
C.E. Ferguson and the Neoclassical Theory of Capital: A Matter of Faith

In 1969 the American neoclassical economist C.E. Ferguson wrote that reliance on neoclassical aggregate production and distribution theory is a ‘matter of faith’ to be sorted out (he says ‘answered’) by econometricians. Ferguson was criticized on both sides of the debate for invoking this religious metaphor. Using the methodological framework of A.J. Cohen & G.C. Harcourt (2005), Introduction: capital theory controversy: scarcity, production, equilibrium, and time, in: A. Cohen, G.C. Harcourt & C. Bliss (Eds) Capital Theory, 3 Vols. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar, this paper argues that faith plays a recurring role in all capital controversies and especially in modern theories of growth that rely wholesale on the aggregate production function. Ferguson's faith proves to be much more insightful than previously recognized.
Adaptive fuzzy frequency hopping system

An adaptive fuzzy system generates the frequency hopping sequence for a spread spectrum communications system. The authors describe a fuzzy rule-based pseudorandom number generator. Adaptive fuzzy rules map distributions of old output frequencies to show new output frequencies. These rules, with some initial conditions and the sampling pattern that gives the previous outputs' distribution, fix the output sequence. Each sequence has an unknown length if it repeats at all. Such sequences are hard for an eavesdropper to predict if he does not know either the rules, the initial conditions, or the sample pattern. This fuzzy system can generate a sequence uniform over any number of frequencies. The fuzzy system was tested with 100 and 1025 frequencies and compared to a shift register with linear feedback. The fuzzy system had lower chi-squared values and thus gave a more uniform or more random spread than did the shift register. The fuzzy system was easier to change and harder to intercept. >
Follicular dendritic cell-mediated up-regulation of CXCR4 expression on CD4 T cells and HIV pathogenesis

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) represent a major reservoir of HIV, and active infection occurs surrounding these cells, suggesting that this microenvironment is highly conducive to virus transmission. Because CD4 T cells around FDCs in germinal centers express the HIV coreceptor, CXCR4, whereas CD4 lymphocytes in many other sites do not, it prompted the hypothesis that FDCs may increase CXCR4 expression on CD4 T cells, thereby facilitating infection. To test this, HIV receptor/coreceptor expression was determined on CD4 T cells cultured with or without FDCs, and its consequence to infection was assessed by measuring virus binding and entry. FDCs had little effect on CCR5 or CD4 expression but increased CXCR4 expression on CD4 T cells. FDC-mediated up-regulation of CXCR4 on CD4 T cells occurred by 24 h and was sustained for at least 96 h in vitro, and FDC-CD4 T cell contact was necessary. Importantly, increased CXCR4 expression directly correlated with increased binding and entry of HIV-1 X4 isolates. Furthermore, CD4 + CD57 + germinal center T cells expressed high levels of CXCR4 and supported enhanced entry of X4 HIV compared with other CD4 T cells from the same tissue. Thus, in addition to serving as a reservoir of infectious virus, FDCs render surrounding germinal center T cells highly susceptible to infection with X4 isolates of HIV-1.
Asymptotic critical total power for k-connectivity of wireless networks

An important issue in wireless ad hoc networks is to reduce the transmission power subject to certain connectivity requirement. In this paper, we study the fundamental scaling law of the minimum total power (termed as critical total power) required to ensure k -connectivity in wireless networks. Contrary to several previous results that assume all nodes use a (minimum) common power, we allow nodes to choose different levels of transmission power. We show that under the assumption that wireless nodes form a homogeneous Poisson point process with density lambda in a unit square region [0, 1]2, the critical total power required to maintain k-connectivity is Theta((Gamma(c/2 + k)/(k - 1)!) lambda1-c/2) with probability approaching one as lambda goes to infinity, where c is the path loss exponent. If k also goes to infinity, the expected critical total power is of the order of kc/2 lambda1-c/2. Compared with the results that all nodes use a common critical transmission power for maintaining k-connectivity, we show that the critical total power can be reduced by an order of (log lambda)c/2 by allowing nodes to optimally choose different levels of transmission power. This result is not subject to any specific power/topology control algorithm, but rather a fundamental property of wireless networks.
Performance and population dynamics of a native understory herb differ between young and old forest stands in the Southern Appalachians

Anthropogenic disturbances (e.g., logging) can strongly affect the composition and structure of forest understory herb communities, with land-use legacies often persisting for decades or even centuries. Many studies of forest plant response to land-use history have focused on species distributions and abundances, and argued broadly for either dispersal or establishment limitation as biological mechanisms for slow recolonization. We asked how performance and population dynamics of the temperate forest herb Prosartes lanuginosa differed between recently logged (20–40 years ago) and old (>90 years) logged forests in the Southern Appalachians, USA. All stands were well developed with canopy closure ranging from 59–90%. Performance of individual plants (N = 859) was monitored over three years across 19 forest stands (N = 9 recent and 10 old). We also conducted a seed sowing experiment to determine whether germination and establishment differed with stand age. Stage-based matrix models and life table response experiments (LTREs) were used to quantify the contributions of each life-history transition to observed differences in population growth rates (k) across stands and between years. Field measurements revealed that population growth rates were higher in older logged stands (k = 0.78–0.84) than in more recently logged stands (k = 0.68–0.74), primarily because of reduced fecundity and reduced recruitment from vegetative to flowering life stages. Seed germination and seedling survival did not differ between old and young logged forests. Across stands, population growth rates were higher during the first annual transition than the second, which followed a drought spring. However, the mechanisms for these differences in k varied with stand age; populations in old forests responded to drought conditions by lowering fecundity, whereas populations in young forests responded with lower recruitment from vegetative to flowering stages. Our results showed that logging history affects plant performance beyond the establishment phase and interacts with environmental conditions to influence population dynamics. Our results also emphasize the need for multiple performance measures to assess the effects of land-use history on forest plants.
Analysis of societal event impacts on the power system frequency using FNET measurements

Nation-wide, or largely synchronous activities, such as the World Cup or Super Bowl, have impacts on the power grid frequency response. This paper examines the influence of these sporting events on power system dynamics using data collected from the Frequency Monitoring Network (FNET). The frequency data of the German power grid during the 2010 World Cup semifinal game and the U.S. power system during three consecutive Super Bowls are investigated as examples of societal event impacts on power frequency. The frequency observations and analyses demonstrate such significant effects on the power system. Additionally, featured characteristics are drawn from the frequency data and several special events during the Super Bowl are examined.
Imaging of the female perineum in adults

The female perineum is a diamond-shaped structure inferior to the pelvic diaphragm and between the symphysis pubis and coccyx. The perineum is divided into the anterior urogenital triangle and the posterior anal triangle; the vulva represents the external genitalia. A wide array of diseases affect the female perineum in adults. Vulvar trauma, infection (including Fournier gangrene), developmental lesions, and thrombophlebitis can be investigated with various imaging modalities; vulvar malignancies are best imaged with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to identify local-regional extent of disease. MR imaging is also the modality of choice for imaging of the distal urethra, although imaging of a urethral diverticulum also includes voiding cystourethrography and ultrasonography. The distal vagina at the level of the introitus is best imaged with MR imaging for assessment of Bartholin gland cysts and malignancies. Diseases encountered in the anus include anal carcinoma, fistula-in-ano, and anovaginal fistula, which can all be imaged with various modalities offering different sensitivities and fields of view. Lastly, musculoskeletal neoplasms affecting the perineum and vulva include mesenchymal, lipomatous, nerve sheath, and osseous neoplasms. These neoplasms can be imaged with both computed tomography and MR imaging, although the latter provides higher soft-tissue contrast and greater anatomic detail for diagnosis and determination of the extent of necessary surgery. Familiarity with the anatomy of the female perineum and appropriate selection of imaging modalities facilitate prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Equilibrium partitioning and bioaccumulation of sediment‐associated contaminants by infaunal organisms

The utility and limits of applicability of a simple equilibrium partitioning model for predicting the maximum concentration of neutral organic compounds which can be accumulated by infaunal organisms exposed to a contaminated sediment were examined. Accumulation factors (AFs) for PCBs, the lipid normalized PCB concentration in organisms divided by the organic carbon normalized PCB concentration in sediments, were measured for PCBs in infaunal mollusks and polychaetes at field sites with a range of sediment Aroclor (A-1254) and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations. The average AFs for A-1254 were found to be higher (x = 4.94; range 3.76–7.27) at sites with lower contaminant concentrations (15.0–48.3 ng A-1254/g dry sediment) than at more contaminated sites (328–9,200 ng/g), where AFs were lower (x = 2.62; range 1.14–5.04). AF data grouped on the basis of sediment A-1254 and TOC concentration differed statistically between, but not within each group. Significant differences in mean AFs were found between some species and between some PCB congeners. When all data were considered, the variability associated with AFs was lower than that found for bioaccumulation factors on a wet weight basis, indicating the utility of lipid and organic carbon normalization.
Coalition structure generation in multi-agent systems with mixed externalities

Coalition structure generation (CSG) for multi-agent systems is a well-studied problem. A vast majority of the previous work and the state-of-the-art approaches to CSG assume a characteristic function form of the coalition values, where a coalition's value is independent of the other coalitions in the coalition structure. Recently, there has been interest in the more realistic partition function form of coalition values, where the value of a coalition is affected by how the other agents are partitioned, via externalities. We argue that in domains with externalities, a distributed/adaptive approach to CSG may be impractical, and that a centralized approach to CSG is more suitable. However, the most recent studies in this direction have focused on cases where all externalities are either always positive or always negative, and results on coalition structure generation in more general settings (in particular, mixed externalities) are lacking. In this paper we propose a framework based on agent-types that incorporates mixed externalities and demonstrate that it includes the previous settings as special cases. We also generalize some previous results in anytime CSG, showing that those results are again special cases. In particular, we extend the existing branch and bound algorithm to this new setting and show empirically that significant pruning can be achieved when searching for the optimal coalition structure. This extends the state-of-the-art in CSG for multi-agent systems.
Transition Mechanisms for Transport Aircraft

This paper outlines basic transition mechanisms encountered on transport aircraft. Transition is highly dependent on operating conditions, wing and airfoil geometry, and surface conditions, and any prediction scheme must accurately account for the relevant physics. Moreover, the efficacy of control depends on the physics of the transition process– whether one is delaying transition through LFC or enhancing turbulence for propulsion systems or separation control. Four basic instability mechanisms generally lead to transition on a swept transport-aircraft wing: Tollmien-Schlichting, crossflow, attachment line, and Gortler instabilities. Other drivers include juncture flows (for example at the wing root), locally supersonic flow on the suction side of the wing, and surface features.
Mucosal candidiasis elicits NF-κB activation, proinflammatory gene expression and localized neutrophilia in zebrafish

SUMMARY The epithelium performs a balancing act at the interface between an animal and its environment to enable both pathogen killing and tolerance of commensal microorganisms. Candida albicans is a clinically important human commensal that colonizes all human mucosal surfaces, yet is largely prevented from causing mucosal infections in immunocompetent individuals. Despite the importance of understanding host-pathogen interactions at the epithelium, no immunocompetent vertebrate model has been used to visualize these dynamics non-invasively. Here we demonstrate important similarities between swimbladder candidiasis in the transparent zebrafish and mucosal infection at the mammalian epithelium. Specifically, in the zebrafish swimmbladder infection model, we show dimorphic fungal growth, both localized and tissue-wide epithelial NF-κB activation, induction of NF-κB -dependent proinflammatory genes, and strong neutrophilia. Consistent with density-dependence models of host response based primarily on tissue culture experiments, we show that only high-level infection provokes widespread activation of NF-κB in epithelial cells and induction of proinflammatory genes. Similar to what has been found using in vitro mammalian models, we find that epithelial NF-κB activation can occur at a distance from the immediate site of contact with epithelial cells. Taking advantage of the ability to non-invasively image infection and host signaling at high resolution, we also report that epithelial NF-κB activation is diminished when phagocytes control the infection. This is the first system to model host response to mucosal infection in the juvenile zebrafish, and offers unique opportunities to investigate the tripartite interactions of C. albicans , epithelium and immune cells in an intact host.
Integrated angle-of-arrival sensing and simultaneous bidirectional communication using a cat's eye modulating retroreflector

A bidirectional single-aperture modulating retroreflector is realized by superimposing a small low-frequency signal on the interrogating beam. Transmitted and received data are frequency-separated, enabling full-duplex operation and autodetection of illumination.
A multidisciplinary design project for an introduction to engineering course

There is a great need for design projects that are suitable for freshman engineering students and that serve to introduce them to real-world engineering design work. In addition, modern engineering is increasing multidisciplinary and it is important to introduce students to this as early as possible. This paper describes a project that spans the disciplines of Industrial Engineering and Computer Science. It is a complete module that is structured on a formal engineering design process. It makes use of low-cost materials and software and attempts to give the students an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The project has been used at Arizona State University for over two years and has been well received by the students.
Eliciting Patients' Revealed Preferences: An Inverse Markov Decision Process Approach

Estimating patient preferences over various health states is an important problem in health care decision modeling. Direct approaches, which involve asking patients various abstract questions, have significant drawbacks. We propose a new approach that infers patient preferences based on observed decisions via inverse optimization techniques. We illustrate our methods on the timing of a living-donor liver transplant.
A semi-analytical approach to three-dimensional normal contact problems with friction

We present a semi-analytical approach for three-dimensional elastostatic normal contact problems with friction. The numerical approach to iteration on contact area and stick zone size is supported by an underlying analytical solution relating normal and tangential surface tractions to surface displacements in three coordinate directions. The governing equations are fully coupled. The analytical surface displacement solutions for a basic loading element have been derived elsewhere (Li and Berger 2001), and the total surface displacements are constructed as a superposition of deflections due to overlapping pyramid load segments. This approach requires no interpolation scheme for the field variables, which distinguishes it from other numerical techniques such as the FEM, BEM, and meshless methods. A background grid is defined only on the contact surfaces, and iteration approaches are used to determine a convergent configuration for contact domain and stick zone size. The approach is exercised on several normal contact problems, with and without friction, and the results compare favorably to existing analytical and numerical solutions.
Factors affecting the patency of infrainguinal bypass

Two hundred forty-nine well-characterized difficult distal bypasses, entered into a multicenter dextran 40 trial, were reevaluated after 3 years. Seventy in situ (IS) vein grafts, 49 reversed saphenous (RS) vein grafts, 60 polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts, and 70 umbilical vein (UV) grafts were used. Primary and secondary patency rates at 3 years were, respectively, 84% and 90% for IS, 66% and 73% for RS, 35% and 48% for PTFE, and 24% and 32% for UV. Subgroup analysis according to the site of distal anastomosis showed no significant differences in primary patency among these grafts at the above-knee level but significant differences between both vein grafts (IS and RV) and the others (PTFE and UV) below the knee (78% vs 31%, respectively). This difference increased at the tibial level (78% vs 10%) but there was also a significant difference between IS grafts (88%) and RS grafts (63%) at this level. Hazard functional analysis showed all grafts except IS grafts begin to fail at an increasing rate again by 24 months. Although overall results appeared to favor PTFE over UV, 62% of PTFE vs 16% of UV terminated at the above-knee level and the patency results of these two grafts were not significantly different at any level. The only other factor than graft type and distal anastomotic site that consistently correlated with late patency was tobacco use. Diabetic patients actually fared significantly better than nondiabetic patients, presumably because of the higher use of IS grafts and lower use of tobacco. The choice of graft overshadows all other factors affecting patency and its influence is magnified with more distal terminal anastomosis.
Trends in National Institutes of Health Funding for Clinical Trials Registered in ClinicalTrials.gov

Clinical trials inform evidence-based prevention and treatment recommendations. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the pharmaceutical industry have been major funders of trials. In general, the pharmaceutical industry funds trials that test their own products, whereas the NIH’s funding strategies are not commercially motivated. In 2005, registration of trials became required for publication in major journals. Registration is also required for trials that meet the definition of an “applicable clinical trial” from the US Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act 801 and that were either initiated after September 27, 2007, or initiated on or before that date and were still ongoing as of December 26, 2007. There are legal repercussions if sponsors or principal investigators do not register accurately. We hypothesized that the number of NIH-funded trials has decreased. We investigated trends in funding of trials using the NIH-built database, ClinicalTrials.gov, with a focus on NIH and industry funding.
Palladium-and Solder-Plated Connectors for the Automotive Industry

Recherche d'une alternative aux connecteurs plaques d'or. Essais comparatifs sur 2 types de connecteurs a geometries differentes de revetements de palladium ou de metal d'apport: 60/40 ou 90/10 etain/plomb. Performances egales a celles du revetement d'or, meme dans un environnement tres agressif
The amniotic fluid in anencephaly. Preliminary report.

Abstract With increasing frequency, characteristics of the amniotic fluid are being used to predict fetal condition in utero. In the present report, spectrophotometric changes previously considered specific for Rh immunization are described in maternal hydramnios with fetal anencephaly.
Simulations of Molecular Mechanisms In Radiation Damage to DNA

The article reviews recent attempts to integrate the description of the molecular events in radiation damage to DNA. The stages of indirect damage include diffusion of reactive radicals produced by energy deposition, their collision and interaction with DNA, and induction of conformational changes in the damaged DNA. The collision events, studied with Brownian dynamics simulations, depend on the electrostatic field and the accessibility of various sites in DNA. Quantum chemical calculations of H-abstraction from sugar illustrate that this process depends on the nature of the abstracted hydrogen. Molecules dynamics simulation of damaged DNA provide the molecular details of changes in its dynamic and conformational properties. The integration of these methodologies will become the basis for a unified approach to simulations of radiation damage to DNA.
Maximum likelihood estimation of the mixture of log-concave densities

Finite mixture models are useful tools and can be estimated via the EM algorithm. A main drawback is the strong parametric assumption about the component densities. In this paper, a much more flexible mixture model is considered, which assumes each component density to be log-concave. Under fairly general conditions, the log-concave maximum likelihood estimator (LCMLE) exists and is consistent. Numeric examples are also made to demonstrate that the LCMLE improves the clustering results while comparing with the traditional MLE for parametric mixture models.
Development of a Transparent Heater to Measure Surface Temperature Fluctuations for Pool Boiling and Spray Cooling

A heater designed to monitor surface temperature fluctuations during pool boiling and spray cooling experiments while the bubbles are simultaneously being observed has been fabricated and tested. The heat source was a transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) layer commercially deposited on a fused quartz substrate. Four copper-nickel thin film thermocouples (TFTCs) on the heater surface measured the surface temperature, while a thin layer of sapphire or synthetic fused silica provided electrical insulation between the TFTCs and the ITO. The TFTCs were micro-fabricated using the liftoff process to deposit the nickel and copper metal films. The TFTC elements were 50 μm wide and overlapped to form a 25 μm by 25 μm junction. TFTC voltages were recorded by a DAQ at a sampling rate of 50 kHz. A high-speed CCD camera recorded bubble images from below the heater at 2000 frames/second. From these images, the bubble outer diameter and contact ring diameter were clearly visible. A trigger sent to the camera by the DAQ program synchronized the bubble images and the surface temperature data. As the bubbles and their contact rings grew over the TFTC junction, correlations between bubble behavior and surface temperature changes were made. The 1–2°C temperature drops occurred as the contact ring moved over the TFTC junction during bubble growth and as the contact ring moved back over the TFTC junction during bubble departure.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Key Ideas in Nursing's First Century

This article identifies some of the major ideas underpinning modern American nursing in its first 100 years, and postulates that distinct periods in nursing's early formal development were dominated by a particular theme or set of ideas. The themes, which were largely determined by social priorities, scientific advances, and national emergencies, overlapped, enriched each other, and provided an impetus for nursing to evolve into the highly skilled profession it has become.
OXIDATION TREATMENT OF OILFIELD SLUDGE WITH SUPERCRITICAL WATER

Supercritical water oxidation(SCWO)is a recent development aiming at the destruction of organic pollutants.The research focuses on the process simulation of oxidation of oil-field sludge in supercritical water with a simple self-made experimental facility.In the supercritical combustion reactions,the removal of crude oil sludge is affected by the factors of reaction time,temperature,pressure and pH value.The results show that supercritical water oxidation can effectively remove the crude oil in the oil-field sludge,the removal efficiency of crude oil reaches 95%.The important factors are reaction time,reaction temperature and reaction pressure which influence the removal of the crude in sludge.The pH value is secondary factor.The removal efficiency of crude oil in the oil-field sludge increases with increasing the reaction temperature,reaction time and reaction pressure.
Presence of Opiate Alkaloid-Selective μ3 Receptors in Cultured Astrocytes and in Brain and Retina

Opiate alkaloid-selective receptors, insensitive to opioid peptides and differing from classical opioid receptors in other respects, mediate inhibition by morphine of activation of human peripheral blood monocytes and are present on other macrophage cell types as well, including microglia. This receptor has been tentatively designated as a µ3 subtype. The present studies provide evidence for the presence of this receptor in cultures of astrocytes derived from human fetal brain, in cultures of feline astrocytes and in an immortalized feline astrocyte cell line. Also, neonatal and adult rat striatum and other brain regions, assayed in the presence of agents that blocked classical µ, δ and κ binding sites, were found to contain additional saturable 3H-morphine binding sites that exhibited the pharmacology of µ3 receptors. Additionally, µ3 receptor sites were present in rat retina and in the avascular guinea pig retina, retinas that lack endogenous opioid peptides and that do not contain classical opioid peptide-sensitive µ, δ or κ binding sites. For each of these preparations, with 3H-morphine as ligand, binding sites were saturable and displaced by morphine, etorphine, naloxone, diprenorphine and morphine 6-glucuronide, but not by morphine 3-glucuronide, fentanyl, benzomorphans, or by enkephalins, dynorphin, β-endorphin or other opioid peptides. These sites also could be distinguished from other (µ, δ and κ) sites on the basis of sensitivity to sulfhydryl compounds. It is proposed that.µ3 receptors occur on astrocytes as well as on microglia in brain and retina, where they function to modulate responses to injury and infection, as has been proposed previously for these receptors in the immune system.
Counseling breast cancer patients on contralateral prophylactic mastectomy: the physician's role.

CPM may be a rational choice for patients with known BRCA mutations, patients who have received therapeutic chest radiation, and some mastectomy patients.