cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multicolor laser scanning confocal immunofluorescence microscopy: practical application and limitations.

Publisher Summary Advances in fluorescent probe chemistry, economical laser availability, and confocal microscope instrumentation are making the enormous potential of multicolor laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) available to a wider range of biologists. This chapter outlines the requirements for performing multicolor immunofluorescence studies with LSCM. The principles of immunofluorescence histochemistry necessary for the preparation of multilabeled specimens are summarized. The chapter examines the technical aspects of confocal microscope instrumentation that affect its application to multicolor studies. The practical application and limitations of this technology are demonstrated for multicolor LSCM, using the inexpensive, air-cooled argon ion and krypton-argon ion lasers as light sources are presented and various aspects of confocal microscopy that affect the comparison of images acquired with different excitation and/or emission wavelengths are examined. The chapter provides a better understanding of the compromises needed to effect the accurate imaging of specimens stained with multiple fluorophores. The chapter also discusses the applications and limitations of multicolor laser scanning confocal immunofluorescence microscopy.
Enumeration of viruses

Publisher Summary This chapter provides the details necessary for the enumeration of viruses and bacteria in seawater using the nucleic acid stain SYBR Green I. Current research in the fields of marine microbiology and marine microbial ecology requires the ability to enumerate viruses and bacteria. In the past, counting microbes in seawater samples by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was the standard method. SYBR Green I stain was originally used for research using flow cytometry. SYBR Green I is a viable tool, which yields virus counts comparable to TEM in a broad variety of samples, and seems to be more easily applied to the analysis of seawater samples than some of the previously mentioned stains. SYBR Green I has the advantage of being usable in conjunction with seawater and commonly used fixatives and a short staining period. SYBR Green I stained viruses and bacteria are intensely stained and easy to distinguish from other particles with both older and newer generation epifluorescence microscopes. SYBR Green I is inexpensive and is less carcinogenic than other typical nucleic acid stains. It has recently been noted that another nucleic acid stain, SYBR Gold, is used interchangeably with SYBR Green I. This stain appears to require a slightly shorter staining time (12 min), and is less expensive.
A Radiation Oncology Based Electronic Health Record in an Integrated Radiation Oncology Network

Purpose: The goal of this ongoing project is to develop and integrate a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) throughout a multi-facility radiation oncology network to facilitate more efficient workflow and improve overall patient care and safety. Methodology: We required that the EHR provide pre-defined record and verify capability for radiation treatment while still providing a robust clinical health record. In 1996, we began to integrate the Local Area Network Treatment Information System (LANTIS â ) across the West Penn Allegheny Radiation Oncology Network (currently including 9 sites). By 2001, we began modifying and expanding the assessment components and creating user-defined templates and have developed a comprehensive electronic health record across our network. Results: In addition to access to the technical record and verify information and imaging obtained for image-guided therapy, we designed and customized 6 modules according to our network’s needs to facilitate information acquisition, tracking, and analysis as follows: 1) Demographics/scheduling; 2) Charge codes; 3) Transcription/clinical documents; 4) Clinical/technical assessments; 5) Physician orders 6) Quality assurance pathways. Each module was developed to acquire specific technical/clinical data prospectively in an efficient manner by various staff within the department in a format that facilitates data queries for outcomes/statistical analyses and promotes standardized quality guidelines resulting in a more efficient workflow and improved patient safety and care. Conclusions: Development of a comprehensive EHR across a radiation oncology network is feasible and can be customized to promote clinical/technical standards, facilitate outcomes studies, and improve communication and peer review. The EHR has improved patient care and network integration across a multi-facility radiation oncology system and has markedly reduced the flow and storage of paper across the network.
Induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in HepG2 human hepatoma cells by mediators of the acute phase response

The liver plays a central role in the systemic acute phase response of an organism to injury. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a major regulator of fibrinolysis, is an important component of the acute phase response in humans. The source of plasma PAI-1 has been a matter of controversy, but recent in situ hybridization experiments have demonstrated that human hepatocytes express the PAI-1 gene in vivo. However, little is known about regulation of human hepatic PAI-1 gene expression by mediators of the acute phase response. We have analyzed the regulation of PAI-1 mRNA accumulation by interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and dexamethasone, known mediators of the acute phase response, in HepG2 cells, a highly differentiated human hepatoma cell line that produces a broad spectrum of acute phase proteins including PAI-1. Incubation of HepG2 cells with IL-1 resulted in a rapid and transient 40-fold induction of the 3.2-kilobase PAI-1 mRNA and a 30-fold induction of the 2.2-kilobase PAI-1 mRNA. Although IL-6 alone had only a modest effect on PAI-1 expression, in combination with IL-1, it caused a synergistic induction of PAI-1 mRNA accumulation. Dexamethasone alone did not increase PAI-1 mRNA accumulation but enhanced it in combination with IL-1. Using nuclear run-on experiments, we determined that the mechanism by which IL-1 alone, or in combination with IL-6, induced PAI-1 mRNA accumulation was to cause a 10-15-fold, transient stimulation of PAI-1 gene transcription. We found no evidence of an effect of these cytokines on PAI-1 mRNA stability. These data demonstrate that mediators of the acute phase response induce the accumulation of PAI-1 mRNA in human hepatoma cells by rapidly and transiently increasing the transcription of the PAI-1 gene.
Transient Natural Convection in Vertical Annuli: Numerical Modeling and Heat Transfer Correlation

A finite volume model is developed for analyzing transient natural convection in vertical annuli, which are assumed to be isothermally heated (or cooled) from the inner surface and insulated from horizontal and outer surfaces. Based on the numerical results, the dependence of transient heat transfer on governing dimensionless parameters is investigated. It is found that the dimensionless accumulated heat transfer as a function of dimensionless time can be satisfactorily approximated by a simple correlation, which explicitly includes the effects of the Rayleigh and Prandtl numbers as well as the enclosure aspect ratio and height-inner radius ratio.
Strong field coherent control of molecular torsions—Analytical models

We introduce analytical models of torsional alignment by moderately intense laser pulses that are applicable to the limiting cases of the torsional barrier heights. Using these models, we explore in detail the role that the laser intensity and pulse duration play in coherent torsional dynamics, addressing both experimental and theoretical concerns. Our results suggest strategies for minimizing the risk of off-resonant ionization, noting the qualitative differences between the case of torsional alignment subject to a field-free torsional barrier and that of torsional alignment of a barrier-less system (equivalent to a 2D rigid rotor). We also investigate several interesting torsional phenomena, including the onset of impulsive alignment of torsions, field-driven oscillations in quantum number space, and the disappearance of an alignment upper bound observed for a rigid rotor in the impulsive torsional alignment limit.
Techno-economic comparison of hot water and dilute acid pretreatment for biochemical production of ethanol from corn stover and evaluation of alternative scenarios to purchasing cellulase enzymes

Techno-economic analysis was conducted to compare hot water pretreatment and dilute acid pretreatment for biochemical production of ethanol from corn stover, and to compare several enzyme production schemes as alternatives to on-site enzyme production. Each of these scenarios was modeled in detail and economic analysis was performed to estimate the total capital investment (TCI) and Minimum Ethanol Selling Price (MESP), and Equivalent Purchased Enzyme Price for the enzyme production scenarios. In Chapter 2 hot water and dilute acid pretreatment technologies are compared for both an n plant design as well as a pioneer plant. Plants are modeled assuming they receive 2000 MT/day (metric tonne per day) of biomass. The dilute acid pretreatment process has the lowest MESP, which is estimated to be $3.40/gal EtOH, compared to $4.29/gal EtOH for the hot water pretreatment scenario. Sensitivity analysis shows that the MESP for the dilute acid pretreatment scenario is most sensitive to feedstock costs, enzyme loading, enzyme cost, and installed equipment costs. The MESP ranges from $3.37 to $3.93 under the assumed ranges for sensitivity parameters. Cellulosic ethanol production has yet to be commercialized and a pioneer plant is expected to be significantly more expensive than an n plant. To assess the impact of technological maturity on pioneer plant capital cost and plant performance a cost growth analysis was performed using a method developed by the RAND Corporation. Pioneer plant costs are estimated for three scenarios: optimistic, most probable and pessimistic. The estimated range of MESPs for the pioneer plant were substantially larger than for the n plant. The MESPs for the model with dilute acid pretreatment were $4.19, $5.22 and $6.68/Gal EtOH for the optimistic, most probable and pessimistic scenarios, respectively. The Total Capital Investment (TCI) for the three respective scenarios increased by 53%, 104%, and 183% above the n plant TCI. Enzymes are one of the most significant costs of cellulosic ethanol production. Chapter 3 analyzes two enzyme production schemes as alternatives to purchasing enzymes. The first is the production of enzymes on-site for a stand-alone plant. The competitiveness of on-site enzyme production with purchasing enzymes is compared among plant scales varying from 500 MT/day to 3000 MT/day. The second scheme is the production of both ethanol and excess enzymes at a central plant for export to satellite plants producing only ethanol. Two cases were examined for this scheme—one in which the central plant supplies enzymes to two satellite plants and another with four satellite plants. Both the central plant and satellite plants in this scheme receive 2000 MT/day of corn stover.
Factors contributing to recurrence of oral cavity and laryngeal tumors and estimation of tumor age.

Objectives/Hypothesis To identify factors contributing to local tumor recurrence in oral cavity and laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas treated with surgery alone, to approximate tumor age from time to recurrence data by applying Collins' law, and to identify factors that may affect time to recurrence. Study Design Retrospective review. Methods A retrospective review of all patients treated for head and neck cancer from 1997 to 2013 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center was performed. Results A total of 517 patients treated with surgery alone qualified for the study, of which 84 had local recurrence, and 433 had no local recurrences. History of tobacco use (P = .017), pack-year cigarette history (P = .001), and T stage (P = .03) were associated with disease recurrence. Overall, never tobacco users, those with fewer pack-years of smoking history, and those with lower T stage were more likely to recur. Time to recurrence was significantly shorter for laryngeal tumors compared to oral cavity tumors (P = .027). Median time to recurrence for oral cavity tumors was 8.6 months and laryngeal tumors was 7.1 months. Conclusions In this study, lower pack-year smoking history, lower T stage, and history of never tobacco use were associated with local tumor recurrence. Applying the concept of Collins' law to estimate the age of tumors at diagnosis, the median tumor age at diagnosis was estimated to be 8.6 months for oral cavity tumors and 7.1 months for laryngeal tumors. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope 124:2297–2304, 2014
Dynamic Self-Assembly and Computation: From Biological to Information Systems

We present two ways in which dynamic self-assembly can be used to perform computation, via stochastic protein networks and self-assembling software. We describe our protein-emulating agent-based simulation infrastructure, which is used for both types of computations, and the few agent properties sufficient for dynamic self-assembly. Examples of protein-network-based computation and self-assembling software are presented. We describe some novel capabilities that are enabled by the inherently dynamic nature of the self-assembling executable code.
Thermally-responsive, nonflammable phosphonium ionic liquid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries: operating at 100 degrees celsius

Rechargeable batteries such as Li ion/Li metal batteries are widely used in the electronics market but the chemical instability of the electrolyte limits their use in more demanding environmental conditions such as in automotive, oil exploration, or mining applications. In this study, a series of alkyl phosphonium ionic liquid electrolyte are described with high thermal stability and solubility for LiTFSI. A lithium metal battery (LMB) containing a tailored phosphonium ionic liquid/LiTFSI electrolyte operates at 100 °C with good specific capacities and cycling stability. Substantial capacity is maintained during 70 cycles or 30 days. Instant on-off battery operation is realized via the significant temperature dependence of the electrolyte material, demonstrating the robustness and potential for use at high temperature.
Error analysis for optimal design of accelerated tests (electromigration)

In accelerated life testing the operating life of a device is determined by extrapolation from the failure data at a set of stress points. A methodology for selecting an optimal set of stress points given a constraint in available test time is discussed. The approach is based on linearizing the failure equation and applying multiple linear regression to obtain the optimal stress points. Specific application is made to Black's model (1982) of electromigration. >
Complications of nonlinear echo time spacing for measurement of T (2).

Some consequences of using nonlinear echo spacing in multi-echo sequences for measuring T 2 were investigated under the conditions of imperfect RF refocusing or diffusion losses. Although using nonlinear echo spacing has previously been shown to estimate T 2 more accurately, the effect of such spacing is shown to be detrimental when sequences use imperfect RF refocusing pulses. The progressive loss of transverse magnetization that results from imperfect refocusing will alter estimates of T 2 regardless of the echo spacing. However, when the echo spacing is nonlinear, this loss of magnetization also introduces non-mono-exponential T 2 components. Such an effect may distort relative amplitudes of a multi-component T 2 distribution or generate multiple T 2 components where they do not exist. Diffusion through inhomogeneous magnetic fields results in a similar loss of magnetization and T 2 distortion. For these reasons, the use of nonlinearly spaced echoes, while providing in theory a more appropriate sampling of transverse relaxation, is not appropriate for many imaging situations.
Consumers' mood states and the decision-making process

This manuscript investigates the effects of mood states on the decision-making process by examining its effects on internally generated thoughts. Specifically, the effects of mood states on thoughts associated with needs that are higher and lower in Maslow's hierarchy, sensory benefits, and experiential and informational processing are examined. Literature addressing these issues is reviewed, hypotheses are developed, and an empirical study is described. Findings suggest the decision-making process may be related to needs higher in Maslow's hierarchy, involve more sensory thoughts, and be more experiential when consumers are in positive mood states. Conversely, findings suggest the decision-making process may be related to needs lower in Maslow's hierarchy, involve fewer sensory thoughts, and be more informational when consumers are in negative moods. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of the study's findings for the development of theory and further research.
SU‐GG‐T‐396: Automatic Analysis and Presentation of DVH Data Based On Custom Constraints — a Treatment Planning Report Card

Purpose: To automatically compare dose volume histograms (DVHs) against a set of predetermined goals and constraints to facilitate pre‐treatment plan review. Method and Materials: The internal scripting language of the treatment planning system (Pinnacle3, Philips Medical Systems, Milpitas CA) is used to prepare DVH data for evaluation against a set of constraints identified by ROI name. These settings can specify maximum percent volume by dose, maximum dose for a percent volume, or a maximum point dose. The results are displayed in a dialog box and can also be saved or printed for inclusion in the plan documentation. Results: This program functions as planned, and completes its execution quickly. The dosimetrist's workflow is affected only marginally. Conclusion: The extra information provided by this analysis has been valuable to the staff responsible for plan review. This work has been supported in part by a Sponsored Research Agreement with Philips Healthcare.
Analysis of Relationship between the Dehydration Test and the Diuretics Treatment in Definite Meniere's Disease

Background and ObjectivesZZDiuretics and dehydration tests are used for the main treatment of Meniere’s disease as well as the predictor of the disease activity. We analyzed the relationship between the results of dehydration test and the effect of diuretics in patients with definite Meniere’s disease. Subjects and MethodZZSeventy patients with definite Meniere’s disease were selected from January 1999 to June 2007 by reviewing the medical records, retrospectively. Fifty six patients underwent a glycerol test and thirty patients with the furosemide test before treatment. Hydrochlorothiazide was prescribed over twelve months. ResultsZZThe positive rates of glycerol and furosemide tests were 46.7% and 51.8%, respectively. The number of patients who kept the medication over twelve months were 62 (88.6%); those who showed complete remission (CR) were 10 (16.1%), partial remission (PR) 26 (41.9%) and no response (NR) 26 (41.9%). The positive rate of furosemide test was 60% in the patients with CR, 44.4% in patients with PR and 42.9% in patients with NR. The positive rate of glycerol test was 80% in the patients with CR, 68% with PR and 25% with NR. There is statistically significant relationship between the positive rate of glycerol test and the treatment response (p=0.001), but there was no correlation between the positive rate of furosemide test and the treatment response (p=1.000). ConclusionZZThe significant relationship was found between diuretics treatment and glycerol test. The glycerol test can be used as an indicator for expecting a good treatment response to diuretic therapy. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2010;53:7-11 Key WordsZZMeniere’s disease·Dehydration test·Diuretics.
A genetic algorithm for the proportionate multiprocessor open shop

The multiprocessor open shop (MPOS) scheduling problem is NP-complete, a category of hard combinatorial optimization problems that have not received much attention in the literature. In this work, a special MPOS-a proportionate one-is introduced for the first time. Two original mixed integer programming formulations for the proportionate MPOS are developed and their complexity is discussed. Due to the complexity of the MPOS, this paper develops a compu-search methodology (a genetic algorithm (GA)) to schedule the shop with the objective of minimizing the makespan. In this novel GA, a clever chromosome representation of a schedule is developed that succinctly encodes a schedule of jobs across multiple stages. The innovative design of this chromosome enables any permutation of its genes to yield a feasible solution. This simple representation of an otherwise very complex schedule enables the genetic operators of crossover and mutation to easily manipulate a schedule as the algorithm iteratively searches for better schedules. A testbed of difficult instances of the problem are created to evaluate the performance of the GA. The solution for each instance is compared with a derived lower bound. Computational results reveal that the algorithm performs extremely well, demonstrating its potential to efficiently schedule MPOS problems. More importantly, successful experiments on large-scale problem instances suggest the readiness of the GA for industrial use.
Conformational Specificity of the Lac Repressor Coiled-Coil Tetramerization Domain

Predictive understanding of how the folded, functional shape of a native protein is encoded in the linear sequence of its amino acid residues remains an unsolved challenge in modern structural biology. Antiparallel four-stranded coiled coils are relatively simple protein structures that embody a heptad sequence repeat and rich diversity for tertiary packing of alpha-helices. To explore specific sequence determinants of the lac repressor coiled-coil tetramerization domain, we have engineered a set of buried nonpolar side chains at the a-, d-, and e-positions into the hydrophobic interior of the dimeric GCN4 leucine zipper. Circular dichroism and equilibrium ultracentrifugation studies show that this core variant (GCN4-pAeLV) forms a stable tetrameric structure with a reversible and highly cooperative thermal unfolding transition. The X-ray crystal structure at 1.9 A reveals that GCN4-pAeLV is an antiparallel four-stranded coiled coil of the lac repressor type in which the a, d, and e side chains associate by means of combined knobs-against-knobs and knobs-into-holes packing with a characteristic interhelical offset of 0.25 heptad. Comparison of the side chain shape and packing in the antiparallel tetramers shows that the burial of alanine residues at the e positions between the neighboring helices of GCN4-pAeLV dictates both the antiparallel orientation and helix offset. This study fills in a gap in our knowledge of the determinants of structural specificity in antiparallel coiled coils and improves our understanding of how specific side chain packing forms the teritiary structure of a functional protein.
The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the Elderly on a Small Rural Region

Recruiting retirees is a popular economic development strategy for rural communities. Previous research finds positive economic and fiscal impacts in communities, but it tends to assume that the elderly are homogeneous and to concentrate on planned retirement communities. At the same time, concerns are expressed that older and low-income retirees will be a burden for local government. Using a quasi-experimental design, the economic and fiscal impacts of various groups of retirees classified by age and income on a rural region in Wisconsin are simulated. All groups have positive economic benefits for the region. The impacts of the different groups of elderly vary by their income and the size of their households. Contrary to the expectations of some, all groups of retirees provide positive net fiscal impacts for local governments.
Electrochemistry of Cd at (√3×√3)R30°-S/Au(111): Kinetics of Structural Changes in CdS Monolayers

Atomic layers of Cd can be adsorbed onto the (√3 × √3)R30°−S/Au(111) surface at underpotential. We have investigated the kinetics of Cd monolayer formation and dissolution at this surface using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Scan rate dependent cyclic voltammetry experiments reveal that the peak current in the Cd UPD wave is not a linear function of the scan rate, ν, but scales as ν2/3. Similar behavior is observed when the Cd monolayer is stripped from the surface. These results are characteristic of monolayer formation and dissolution by a nucleation and two-dimensional growth mechanism. Chronoamperometry experiments reveal that both the deposition and stripping of Cd involve two steps: an initial Langmuir-type adsorption−desorption process accompanied by nucleation and two-dimensional growth. CdS monolayer growth kinetics are strongly influenced by the chemisorption of Cd on the S-modified Au(111) substrate, which both increases its rate of adsorption and decreases the rate of lattice growt...
Conjugal Parkinson's disease.

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Human Keratinocytes Catabolize Thymidine

Abstract Human neonatal foreskin keratinocytes incorporate exogenous thymidine into DNA and proliferate in vitro even after reaching confluence. Keratinocytes also catabolize thymidine, as reported for the first time below. Stratified cultures of keratinocytes reduced the amount of thymidine in the medium by more than 90% within 2 to 4 h. Consequently, the rate of incorporation of thymidine (0.2μM, 4 μCi/ml) into DNA was linear for no more than 2 h. Linear incorporation of thymidine into DNA for at least 12 h could be achieved by continual addition of fresh radioactive thymidine to the culture medium. Different tissues have widely differing abilities to catabolize thymidine. Cutaneous catabolism of thymidine shows striking species differences. Soluble extracts from human neonatal foreskin and adult skin, as well as from cultivated human keratinocytes, actively catabolize thymidine. Soluble extracts of skin from mouse, rabbit, or guinea pig do not catabolize thymidine. Extracts from cultivated human fibroblasts and melanocytes have little or no ability to catabolize thymidine. Catabolism of thymidine by keratinocytes has important implications for the use of [ 3 h]thymidine in studies of keratinocyte proliferation and for the use of thymidine analogs in therapy of cutaneous disease.
Reading proficiency affects the construct validity of the stroop test interference score

Abstract The Stroop Color and Word Test is used clinically to assess a specific aspect of executive function, that is, selective inhibition. It requires a subject to inhibit an automatized reading response in favor of a less well-rehearsed, competing color-naming response. Although it is necessary to the interpretation of the Stroop effect observed during the interference condition, the degree of automaticity of the reading response is usually assumed in an adult population rather than being defined by any standard reading measures. The present investigation demonstrated that, in a group of 306 parents of children with learning disabilities, the best indicator of reading automaticity was not simply a standard word-reading score within normal limits, but rather a score that was at least equal to the individual's Full Scale IQ. In those subjects who satisfied this reading criterion, the Stroop Interference score correlated significantly with other measures of response inhibition. No such correlation was obs...
Major oxidative products of cytosine, 5-hydroxycytosine and 5-hydroxyuracil, exhibit sequence context-dependent mispairing in vitro

Two major stable oxidation products of 2'-deoxycytidine are 2'-deoxy-5-hydroxycytidine (5-OHdC) and 2'-deoxy-5-hydroxyuridine (5-OHdU). In order to study the in vitro incorporation of 5-OHdC and 5-OHdU into DNA by DNA polymerase, and to check the base pairing specificity of these modified bases, 5-OHdCTP and 5-OHdUTP were synthesized. Incorporation studies showed that 5-OHdCTP can replace dCTP, and to a much lesser extent dTTP, as a substrate for Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I Klenow fragment (exonuclease free). However, 5-OHdUTP can only be incorporated into DNA in place of dTTP. To study the specificity of nucleotide incorporation opposite 5-hydroxypyrimidines in template DNA, 18- and 45-member oligodeoxyribonucleotides, containing an internal 5-OHdC or 5-OHdU in two different sequence contexts, were used. Translesion synthesis past 5-OHdC and 5-OHdU in both oligonucleotides occurred, but pauses both opposite, and one nucleotide prior to, the modified base in the template were observed. The specificity of nucleotide incorporation opposite 5-OHdC and 5-OHdU in the template was sequence context dependent. In one sequence context, dG was the predominant nucleotide incorporated opposite 5-OHdC with dA incorporation also observed; in this sequence context, dA was the principal nucleotide incorporated opposite 5-OHdU. However in a second sequence context, dC was the predominant base incorporated opposite 5-OHdC. In that same sequence context, dC was also the predominant nucleotide incorporated opposite 5-OHdU. These data suggest that the 5-hydroxypyrimidines have the potential to be premutagenic lesions leading to C-->T transitions and C-->G transversions.
Bayesian methods to determine performance differences and to quantify variability among centers in multi-center trials: the IHAST trial

To quantify the variability among centers and to identify centers whose performance are potentially outside of normal variability in the primary outcome and to propose a guideline that they are outliers. Novel statistical methodology using a Bayesian hierarchical model is used. Bayesian methods for estimation and outlier detection are applied assuming an additive random center effect on the log odds of response: centers are similar but different (exchangeable). The Intraoperative Hypothermia for Aneurysm Surgery Trial (IHAST) is used as an example. Analyses were adjusted for treatment, age, gender, aneurysm location, World Federation of Neurological Surgeons scale, Fisher score and baseline NIH stroke scale scores. Adjustments for differences in center characteristics were also examined. Graphical and numerical summaries of the between-center standard deviation (sd) and variability, as well as the identification of potential outliers are implemented. In the IHAST, the center-to-center variation in the log odds of favorable outcome at each center is consistent with a normal distribution with posterior sd of 0.538 (95% credible interval: 0.397 to 0.726) after adjusting for the effects of important covariates. Outcome differences among centers show no outlying centers. Four potential outlying centers were identified but did not meet the proposed guideline for declaring them as outlying. Center characteristics (number of subjects enrolled from the center, geographical location, learning over time, nitrous oxide, and temporary clipping use) did not predict outcome, but subject and disease characteristics did. Bayesian hierarchical methods allow for determination of whether outcomes from a specific center differ from others and whether specific clinical practices predict outcome, even when some centers/subgroups have relatively small sample sizes. In the IHAST no outlying centers were found. The estimated variability between centers was moderately large.
Spatial representations of young children: the role of self- versus adult-directed movement and viewing.

Abstract The influence of the control of movement and viewing while exploring a novel large-scale environment was assessed. Forty kindergarteners and forty second grade children served in four activity conditions that represented the factorial combination of movement (self vs adult directed) and viewing (self vs adult directed). A significant grade level × movement × viewing interaction revealed that when kindergarteners directed their own movement, estimates of interlocation distances were equivalent whether viewing was self or adult directed. If movement was directed by an adult, kindergarteners estimated interlocation distances more accurately if the adult also directed their viewing than if the children directed their own viewing. Second grade children performed comparably across all four experimental conditions.
The optimal partitioning of networks

The work proposes several partitioning criteria, i.e, the flux cut A, the flux cut B, the cost ratio cut, and one generalized minimum cut. The flux cut B is an extension of the flux cut A. The cost ratio cut generates an optimal partitioning for a linear placement problem. The generalized minimum cut uses a cost function related to a polynomial function of the sizes of two partitioned subsets. A high-order polynomial function tends to generate partitions such that the partitioned subsets equal specified sizes. A simplified case is the ratio cut that is shown to derive the clustering structure of the network. The physical meaning of the cuts is described. The partitioning problems are shown to be strongly related to the communication problems. Several network flow models are constructed. We illustrate relations between the maximum flow solutions and the minimum partitionings. We use linear programming to formulate the proposed maximum flow problems. The duality techniques of linear programming are utilized to derive a relation to the optimal partition solution. Thus, we have identified the cases when the optimal partition solutions can be determined in polynomial time.
Fuel-Air Mixing Enhancement by Synthetic Microjets

Next-generation combustors must maintain combustion efficiency while considerably reducing emissions, such as CO, NO x , and unburned hydrocarbons. A viable methodology is to enhance the fuel-air mixing process so that the initial dense spray regime is minimized and the subsequent mixing between the vaporized fuel and air is maximized. Current investigations of mixing methods using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based microjet injectors have demonstrated a possible active control technique for rapidly increasing the mixing process. However, detailed understanding of the coupling between the MEMS device and the fuel injector is not yet available. Here, a Lattice Boltzmann Equation method (which is computationally much more efficient than the conventional finite-volume approach) is employed to simulate the flow both inside and outside a synthetic jet actuator. The effects of varying the forcing amplitude and frequencies and different configurations of the synthetic actuators are examined in order to evaluate sensitivity of the actuation to design parameters. Subsequently, the synthetic jets are integrated within a typical fuel injector, and the efficiency of the microactuation on fuel-air mixing is addressed. It is shown that synthetic microjets embedded inside the fuel injector can provide a mechanism for significantly enhancing fuel-air mixing. Implications for practical applications are also discussed.
Terrorism and tourism as logical companions.

Abstract The symbiotic relationship between terrorism and tourism needs to be understood and acted on, not just in terms of security and marketing, but in terms of such factors as planning, site development, employment policies, political risk analysis and emergency management. This article looks at the relationship between tourism and terrorism from several perspectives. The political and economic impact of terrorism on tourism is assessed, including the sensitivity of the tourism industry to general political strife and the vulnerability of travellers and tourist facilities to terroristic activity. The nature of terroristic violence and the objectives of terrorist groups are evaluated to determine why and how attacks on tourists and facilities may fit the organizational and political objectives of terrorist groups. Finally, the article suggests how the industry and policy makers must proceed to reduce the vulnerability for tourists and the travel sector.
Human-Induced Switches on Public Land Boundaries: The Emergence of Ecological Islands?

This article examines interactions between land cover changes and human activity near public land boundaries. The article empirically examines multiple dimensions that may drive land cover changes, using a framework including ecological switches and biogeographical islands. Publicly owned lands become “islands” in the broader landscape within which they are embedded. As such, they may be of insufficient size or too isolated to allow the targeted ecosystems to continue to function as designed. Compounding the problems of isolation, size, and fragmentation, publicly owned parks or forests may function as human-mediated ecological switches, inducing specific land cover changes. Utilizing satellite data and a suite of sociodemographic data over a 10-year span, this research examines land cover changes surrounding public lands at regional and locally specific granularities. Results suggest policymakers and natural resource planners may be able to anticipate and incorporate local variations into future planning...
Successful treatment of choroidal neovascularization complicating a choroidal osteoma with intravitreal bevacizumab.

PURPOSE To report the effect of off-label use of bevacizumab (Avastin) in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization associated with a choroidal osteoma. METHODS Interventional case report examining antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy used for choroidal neovascularization complicating a choroidal osteoma. RESULTS A 24-year-old man with a choroidal osteoma presented with metamorphopsia and decreased vision in his left eye of 20/60. Clinical examination, fluorescein angiography, B-scan ultrasonography, and optical coherence tomography revealed a well-circumscribed macular choroidal osteoma with overlying subretinal hemorrhage and a choroidal neovascular membrane. The patient was treated with a series of 3 intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) injections (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) performed at baseline, 1 month, and 2 months. Treatment resulted in resolution of subretinal hemorrhage and fluid with improvement in visual acuity to 20/30 at the 5-month follow-up. CONCLUSION Intravitreal bevacizumab seems to be a promising treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with choroidal osteomas.
Comments on the generalized ambiguity function

A straight forward derivation of the form of the generalized (wide-band) ambiguity function is presented. It is obtained by treating the scattered acoustic pressure field from a point target (in relative motion with respect to a bistatic transmit/receive array geometry) as the output of a linear, time-varying, random filter. The results are compared to previous expressions which have appeared in the literature for the generalized ambiguity function, and the differences are discussed.
On Nash–Cournot games with price caps

Abstract In this paper, we study an N -person Nash–Cournot game with a price cap. Under certain mild conditions, we show that this game can be formulated as a complementarity problem. Based on this formulation, we study various properties of the game, including equilibrium existence, computability, and a description of the equilibrium set when there are multiple equilibria.
Legal and Ethical Implications of Using Religious Beliefs as the Basis for Refusing to Counsel Certain Clients

This article addresses potential legal and ethical implications of lawsuits that have been brought when counselors and counseling students have used their religious beliefs as the basis for refusing to counsel lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transexual clients. Four lawsuits are reviewed, issues relevant to the cases are identified, and implications for counselor educators and counseling students are discussed.
Adaptive temperature program ALE of Si1 − xGex/Si heterostructures from Si2H6/Ge2H6

Abstract We describe a thermally-driven atomic layer epitaxy technique that allows submonolayer thickness control over the growth of planar heterostructures. Our temperature programmed desorption measurements show that the temperature required to desorb essentially all passivating hydrogen species decreases sharply with increasing Ge coverage (99.9% removed after 5 min at 730 K on Si and 5 min at 580 K on Ge). In adaptive temperature program-atomic layer epitaxy, this coverage dependence of the hydrogen desorption rate is exploited to supply sufficient heat to reactivate the surface, while minimizing the impact of other thermally activated processes, such as surface segregation and island formation that are also driven by high concentrations of germanium. Temperature programmed desorption, Auger electron spectroscopy and cross-section transmission electron microscopy indicate that Ge interface segregation is rapid for such growth conditions, but limited in spatial extent to several monolayers. The onset of three-dimensional island growth was observed only for concentrated (> 20%-Ge) alloy films.
Cyclodextrin-Enhanced Solubilization and Removal of Residual-Phase Chlorinated Solvents from Porous Media

The development of improved methods for remediation of contaminated aquifers has emerged as a significant environmental priority. One technology that appears to have considerable promise involves the use of solubilization agents such as surfactants and cosolvents for enhancing the removal of residual phase immiscible liquids. We examined herein the use of cyclodextrin, a glucose-based molecule, for solubilizing and removing residual-phase immiscible liquid from porous media. Batch experiments were conducted to measure the degree of trichloroethene (TCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE) solubilization induced by hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCD). These studies revealed that the solubilities of TCE and PCE were enhanced by up to 9.5 and 36.0 times, respectively. Column experiments were conducted to compare water and cyclodextrin-enhanced flushing of Borden sand containing residual saturations of TCE and PCE. The results indicate that solubilization and mass removal were enhanced...
Towards model-based engineering of optoelectronic packaging materials: dielectric constant modeling

Abstract Increases in data transmission speeds of optoelectronic devices have consequently increased high-frequency requirements for optoelectronic packaging materials including substrate, EMC/EMI shielding, adhesive and encapsulant (molding and underfill) materials. Most of those materials are polymer/filler composites, and critical materials properties for the device design and packaging include the effective dielectric constant, dielectric loss and their frequency and filler concentration dependence. This work presents a systematic theoretical investigation of the effective dielectric constant of polymer/filler composite materials, and its dependence on the filler concentration, the filler/polymer interaction, and the size of fillers. Our results demonstrate that, in contrary to the prevailing views, the filler concentration dependence of the effective dielectric constant is non-monotonic. Depending on the dielectric constant ratio between filler and polymer matrix, and the degree of interaction between filler and matrix, the effective dielectric constant exhibits an extreme as a function of filler concentration. In addition, our model is demonstrated to contain the Maxwell–Wagner formulation as an asymptotic limit. The present results have significant implications to the targeted formulation of optoelectronic packaging materials.
Verrucous Carcinoma of the Esophagus: A Potential Diagnostic Dilemma

Verrucous carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma associated with human papillomavirus. We report the case of a 58-year-old female who presented with ongoing symptoms of dysphagia. On previous endoscopies she had been noted to have a large polyp-like mass involving the esophagus, with negative biopsies for malignancy. Repeat endoscopy with concurrent endoscopic ultrasound showed a large semi-pedunculated polyp in the distal esophagus and a hypoechoic, irregular mass involving the gastroesophageal junction with esophageal thickening. Deep layer biopsies showed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia with immunohistochemical staining positive for human papillomavirus. The patient was subsequently treated with chemo-radiation followed by esophagectomy.
Maximal Treadmill Stress Testing for Cardiovascular Evaluation

Experience with a maximal treadmill stress testing procedure which is relatively safe, simple, and reproducible is reported. It has been used in normal persons and cardiac patients with ages ranging from 7 to 83 years. There have been no deaths in our total experience of 4,028 maximal capacity stress tests. Maximal capacity is predicted by the patient's peak predicted pulse rate. Sixty-three per cent of those with ischemic S-T segments did not experience pain of any type.