cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Placement of empty catheters for an HDR-Emulating LDR Prostate Brachytherapy technique: Comparison to standard intraoperative planning

Abstract Purpose We sought to determine whether placing empty catheters within the prostate and then inverse planning iodine-125 seed locations within those catheters (High Dose Rate-Emulating Low Dose Rate Prostate Brachytherapy [HELP] technique) would improve concordance between planned and achieved dosimetry compared with a standard intraoperative technique. Methods and Materials We examined 30 consecutive low dose rate prostate cases performed by standard intraoperative technique of planning followed by needle placement/seed deposition and compared them to 30 consecutive low dose rate prostate cases performed by the HELP technique. The primary endpoint was concordance between planned percentage of the clinical target volume that receives at least 100% of the prescribed dose/dose that covers 90% of the volume of the clinical target volume (V100/D90) and the actual V100/D90 achieved at Postoperative Day 1. Results The HELP technique had superior concordance between the planned target dosimetry and what was actually achieved at Day 1 and Day 30. Specifically, target D90 at Day 1 was on average 33.7 Gy less than planned for the standard intraoperative technique but was only 10.5 Gy less than planned for the HELP technique (p 0.05). Conclusions Placing empty needles first and optimizing the plan to the known positions of the needles resulted in improved concordance between the planned and the achieved dosimetry to the target, possibly because of elimination of errors in needle placement.
Influence of hydration on proton transfer in the guanine-cytosine radical cation (G*+-C) base pair: a density functional theory study.

Upon one-electron oxidation, all molecules including DNA bases become more acidic in nature. For the GC base pair, experiments suggest that a facile proton transfer takes place in the G•+−C base pair from N1 of G•+ to N3 of cytosine. This intrabase pair proton-transfer reaction has been extensively considered using theoretical methods for the gas phase, and it is predicted that the proton transfer is slightly unfavorable, in disagreement with experiment. In the present study, we consider the effect of the first hydration layer on the proton-transfer reaction in G•+−C by the use of density functional theory (DFT) using B3LYP/6-31+G** calculations of the G•+−C base pair in the presence of 6 and 11 water molecules. Under the influence of hydration of 11 waters, a facile proton transfer from N1 of G•+ to N3 of C is predicted. The zero-point energy (ZPE)-corrected forward and backward energy barriers, for the proton transfer from N1 of G•+ to N3 of C, was found to be 1.4 and 2.6 kcal/mol, respectively. The pro...
Radiative decay of triply excited 2p2np 4,2S degrees states to the 1s2pmp 4,2P states in lithiumlike ions.

The Rayleigh-Ritz variational method is used with a multiconfiguration-interaction function to obtain the nonrelativistic energies and wave functions of the triply excited 2${\mathit{p}}^{2}$np $^{4}$S\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} (n=2,3,4) and 2${\mathit{p}}^{2}$3p $^{2}$S\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} states and also the doubly excited 1s2pmp $^{4}$P (m=2,3,4), 1s2${\mathit{p}}^{2}$ $^{2}$P, [(1s2p${)}^{3}$P,3p${]}^{2}$P, and [(1s2p${)}^{1}$P,3p${]}^{2}$P states for atomic systems with nuclear charges from Z=3 to 10. The relativistic and mass polarization corrections are evaluated via first-order perturbation theory, and the resulting relativistically corrected energies are used to compute transition wavelengths for 2${\mathit{p}}^{2}$np $^{4,2}$S\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1s2pmp $^{4,2}$P. The fine structure of the 1s2pnp $^{4,2}$P states is also calculated with first-order perturbation theory. The nonrelativistic wave functions are used to compute the electric-dipole transition probabilities for 2${\mathit{p}}^{2}$np $^{4,2}$S\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1s2pmp $^{4,2}$P; this information is then used to compute the lifetimes for the 2${\mathit{p}}^{2}$np $^{4,2}$S\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} states and the branching ratios for the transitions to the 1s2pmp $^{4,2}$P levels. Intermediate-coupling effects for the 2${\mathit{p}}^{3}$ $^{4}$S\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}${,}^{2}$D\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}${,}^{2}$P\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and the 1s2${\mathit{p}}^{2}$ $^{4}$P${,}^{2}$D${,}^{2}$P${,}^{2}$S states are investigated for the case of Z=10 and are shown to be small. Comparisons with experimental wavelength and lifetime measurements are made.
The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of carbonates from the Oka carbonatite complex, Quebec, Canada

Abstract The Oka complex is a carbonatite belonging to the alkaline intrusive suite of the Monteregian petrographic province. The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of carbonates from this complex were studied and found to vary by 7%. for carbon and about 13%. for oxygen. The mode of the δC13-δO18 distribution for the carbonatite lies at δC13 = − 5%. vs. PDB and δO18 = 7.4%. vs. SMOW. The isotopic composition variability could not be related to weathering or hydrothermal alteration. The frequency distributions (650 samples) of carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions are highly skewed toward increasing C13 and O18 concentrations. The carbon isotopic composition frequency distribution may be interpreted as the result of a Rayleigh fractionation process taking place during the formation of the carbonatite. The variations in O18 content are greater than would be expected from such a process; part of the increased variability may be due to isotopic exchange with or the incorporation of the intruded gneisses. Relationships between isotopic composition and rock type could be demonstrated in several cases. With respect to sovites, rauhaugites show a distinct, and carbonates from the alkaline ultrabasic rocks a slight enrichment in C13. The oxygen isotopic compositions of sovites and rauhaugites are consistently lighter than those of carbonates from the alkaline ultrabasic rocks, and the carbonates from fenites and silicate rocks, for which a derivation by ultra-fenitization is suggested on petrographic grounds, show the highest average O18 concentrations. Small gradients in isotopic composition exist in cross sections through the carbonatite complex.
Autologous graft-versus-host disease: immunotherapy of breast cancer after bone marrow transplantation

Clinical and laboratory evidence of a dose-response relationship has prompted the investigation of high-dose therapy with bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of women with metastatic breast cancer. Remission rates are high, but only a small proportion appear durable. An antitumor effect is associated with allogeneic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) as well as with a similar syndrome that can be induced following autologous transplantation (autologous GVHD) by treatment with cyclosporine A following marrow infusion. The clinical manipulation of autologous GVHD may increase the potency of high-dose therapy. Clinical studies indicate that autologous GVHD can be induced in women with breast cancer and can be augmented by the administration of interferon gamma. Preliminary evidence indicates associated antitumor activity in vitro.
Facework strategies among romance fiction readers

Abstract Given the criticisms leveled against popular romantic fiction and its readership, women readers often find it necessary to employ face-saving strategies in social situations. This study focuses on the strategies of prevention and correction that readers employ in situations where they are discredited or discreditable. Preventative strategies include concealing the reading and criticizing the books and other readers. The corrective strategies deal with the intellectual value of the books and the role they play in the lives of the readers. Separation strategies span the preventative and corrective conditions. This study concludes that facework is both an internal and external process.
mGluR1, but not mGluR5, activates feed-forward inhibition in the medial prefrontal cortex to impair decision making

Cognitive flexibility depends on the integrity of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We showed previously that impaired decision making in pain results from amygdala-driven inhibition of medial PFC neuro...
Effectiveness of a Structured Intensive Weight Loss Program Using Health Educators

Background Primary care providers may refer their patients to a variety of weight loss programs and diet plans. However, the relative effectiveness of the available options is not well understood. This retrospective study compared weight loss in an intensive structured (IS) program using health educators versus weight loss in the general population of primary care patients seeking to lose weight using less intensive (LI) methods.
Crosstalk avoidance in MCM routing with timing considerations

A new approach to avoiding crosstalk in MCM interconnects during routing is described. Crosstalk avoidance minimises the amount of rework that must be done after routing and detailed simulation have been completed, thus speeding up physical design. Routing results on benchmark designs show significant improvements over a previously used crosstalk avoidance approach in terms of wiring density obtained.
Enhanced biofuel production through coupled acetic acid and xylose consumption by engineered yeast

The anticipation for substituting conventional fossil fuels with cellulosic biofuels is growing in the face of increasing demand for energy and rising concerns of greenhouse gas emissions. However, commercial production of cellulosic biofuel has been hampered by inefficient fermentation of xylose and the toxicity of acetic acid, which constitute substantial portions of cellulosic biomass. Here we use a redox balancing strategy to enable efficient xylose fermentation and simultaneous in situ detoxification of cellulosic feedstocks. By combining a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-consuming acetate consumption pathway and an NADH-producing xylose utilization pathway, engineered yeast converts cellulosic sugars and toxic levels of acetate together into ethanol under anaerobic conditions. The results demonstrate a breakthrough in making efficient use of carbon compounds in cellulosic biomass and present an innovative strategy for metabolic engineering whereby an undesirable redox state can be exploited to drive desirable metabolic reactions, even improving productivity and yield.
Macro- and microcolinearity between the genomic region of wheat chromosome 5B containing the Tsn1 gene and the rice genome

The Tsn1 gene in wheat confers sensitivity to a proteinaceous host-selective toxin (Ptr ToxA) produced by the tan spot fungus (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) and lies within a gene-rich region of chromosome 5B. To use the rice genome sequence information for the map-based cloning of Tsn1, colinearity between the wheat genomic region containing Tsn1 and the rice genome was determined at the macro- and microlevels. Macrocolinearity was determined by testing 28 expressed sequence markers (ESMs) spanning a 25.5-cM segment and encompassing Tsn1 for similarity to rice sequences. Twelve ESMs had no similarity to rice sequences, and 16 had similarity to sequences on seven different rice chromosomes. Segments of colinearity with rice chromosomes 3 and 9 were identified, but frequent rearrangements and disruptions occurred. Microcolinearity was determined by testing the sequences of 26 putative genes identified from BAC contigs of 205 and 548 kb in length and flanking Tsn1 for similarity to rice genomic sequences. Fourteen of the predicted genes detected orthologous sequences on six different rice chromosomes, whereas the remaining 12 had no similarity with rice sequences. Four genes were colinear on rice chromosome 9, but multiple disruptions, rearrangements, and duplications were observed in wheat relative to rice. The data reported provide a detailed analysis of a region of wheat chromosome 5B that is highly rearranged relative to rice.
Low-income women's conceptualizations of emotional- and stress-eating

Emotional- and stress-eating have been proposed as risk factors for obesity. However, the way that individuals conceptualize these behaviors is not well understood and no studies have employed a qualitative approach. We sought to understand how women conceptualize emotional- and stress-eating. Sixty-one low-income women from South-central Michigan with young children (ages 2–5 years) participated in either a focus group or individual semi-structured interview during which they were asked about their conceptualizations of eating behaviors among adults and children. Responses were transcribed and the constant comparative method was used to identify themes. Identified themes included that emotional- and stress-eating are viewed as uncommon, severe, pitiable behaviors that reflect a lack of self-control and are highly stigmatized; that when these behaviors occurred among children, the behaviors resulted from neglect or even abuse; and that bored-eating is viewed as distinct from emotional- or stress-eating and is a common and humorous behavior with which participants readily self-identified. Future research and interventions should seek to develop more detailed conceptualizations of these behaviors to improve measurement, destigmatize emotional- and stress-eating and potentially capitalize on the strong identification with bored-eating by targeting this behavior for interventions.
Skin involvement in Down syndrome transient abnormal myelopoiesis.

A new-born baby girl with phenotypic features of Down syndrome presented with hepatosplenomegaly and a haemoglobin concentration (Hb) of 146 g/l, platelet count 73 9 10/l and white blood cell (WBC) count 39·1 9 10/l. Blood cytomorphology and immunophenotyping showed 50% circulating blasts. Constitutional trisomy 21 was confirmed by karyotyping and a diagnosis of transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) associated with Down syndrome was made. GATA1 mutation screening using WAVE and direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products failed to show any of the known common mutations. During hospitalization she developed a generalized papular skin rash, the histology of which showed a superficial perivascular infiltrate of predominantly mononuclear cells with round to reniform nuclei and variable quantities of pale cytoplasm. No mitotic figures were identified but there was conspicuous apoptosis. Immunohistochemical stains were strongly positive for CD117 in the perivascular cell population, which showed patchy CD68 positivity. CD34, CD3, CD7, CD56, CD61 and toluidine blue stain were negative. The morphological and immunophenotypic features were consistent with involvement of skin by TAM. During follow up, she became progressively pancytopenic with her Hb dropping to 60 g/l and her platelet count falling to 20 9 10/l, requiring supportive transfusion. By the second month of life she continued to be thrombocytopenic, but her WBC count normalized, her bone marrow showed no excess of blasts and her liver returned to normal size. Her skin rash subsided over the same time period with no specific intervention. In the third month of life she developed rapidly progressive hepatic dysfunction and subsequently died despite intensive management. Limited post mortem examination showed no evidence of TAM in the liver but identified extensive hepatocellular necrosis including bridging necrosis and venoocclusive disease – features previously reported in TAM. Skin involvement in TAM is rare, as is the absence of a detectable mutation in haematopoietic gene GATA1. The failure in this case to detect a mutation in GATA1, especially with the high blast count at presentation, suggests an uncommon mutation may have been driving the TAM and be responsible for the atypical phenotype.
Stiffness of the Roller Screw Mechanism by the Direct Method

In this paper, the direct stiffness method is used to construct a stiffness model of the roller screw mechanism. This method models the entire roller screw mechanism as a large spring system composed of individual springs representing the various compliances. In addition to predicting the overall stiffness of the mechanism, the direct stiffness method can calculate the distribution of load across the threads of the individual bodies. With the load on the individual threads known, the contact stresses can be calculated. This allows for a better understanding of the sensitivities of stiffness and contact stresses in the mechanism with various design parameters and can ultimately be used to design roller screws that are stiffer and with lower contact stresses.
The White Father Archives at Mwanza, Tanzania

The White Fathers' (Missionary Society of Africa) Regional House outside Mwanza, Tanzania is the home of a small, but important archival collection for scholars researching those areas in Western Tanzania where the White Fathers lived and worked. The collection is relatively unknown, but for my research (social history with a focus on children) it was a gold mine of information. It also turned out to be the most pleasant archives to work in of all of the ones I consulted during my fieldwork experience.The archives in Mwanza contain some of the same information that can be found in Rome at the White Fathers' headquarters, but provide a cheaper and closer alternative for those already in Tanzania. In the Regional House library are the Rapports Annuels of the mission society from the 1880s to the late 1950s and a full set of Chronique Trimestrielle (which later became Petit Echo). The Reports Annuels contain compilations of statistics (including the number of missionaries, sisters, catechists, neophytes, catechumens, baptisms of various categories, marriages, confessions, confirmations, boys and girls attending school for each mission station), as well as general reports about the nature and progress of the missionaries' work. Having already read the particular mission diaries in Rome, these reports were particularly helpful as they conveniently summarized trends and problems that priests saw in their work. As its name implies, the Chronique Trimestrielle was published four times a year and contained a variety of information about the missions and their work, but a primary focus was education. In addition, the library contains works on the mission society, its founder, Charles Lavigerie, and some important works on the Sukuma people and language.
VERTICAL ATTENUATION OF ANOMALIES IN AIRBORNE GRAVIMETRY

Analysis of components of the gravity anomaly field from basic one, two, and three‐dimensional masses demonstrates that all components of the same derivative order attenuate with flight elevation at the same rate for a given type of anomaly. Different types of anomalies attenuate with significantly different rates. The signal strength of an anomaly component is conveniently defined as the difference between values at adjacent maximum and minimum points along a profile. For a given type of anomaly, the signal strengths of all comparable components are roughly equal, within about half an order of magnitude. Relative attenuations of anticipated signal and terrain noise permit evaluation of favorable and unfavorable prospect areas for airborne gravity exploration. A corollary result is that the tolerance in flight elevation control is orders of magnitude less severe for gradiometer surveying than for airborne gravity surveying. The conclusions are relevant in the choice of the most advantageous component for ...
Retrotransposon Tf1 Is Targeted to Pol II Promoters by Transcription Activators

The LTR-retrotransposon Tf1 preserves the coding capacity of its host Schizosaccharomyces pombe by integrating upstream of open reading frames (ORFs). To determine which features of the target sites were recognized by the transposon, we introduced plasmids containing candidate insertion sites into S. pombe and mapped the positions of integration. We found that Tf1 was targeted specifically to the promoters of Pol II-transcribed genes. A detailed analysis of integration in plasmids that contained either ade6 or fbp1 revealed insertions occurred in the promoters at positions where transcription factors bound. Further experiments revealed that the activator Atf1p and its binding site were required for directing integration to the promoter of fbp1. An interaction between Tf1 integrase and Atf1p was observed, indicating that integration at fbp1 was mediated by the activator bound to its promoter. Surprisingly, we found Tf1 contained sequences that activated transcription, and these substituted for elements of the ade6 promoter disrupted by integration.
Isomorphism and Linguistic Waste

“Isomorphism,” as I understand it, is the attempt to throw light upon two ostensibly different phenomena by revealing the common logical structure of both. The method usually adopted is to speak of one in the idiom ordinarily appropriate to the other — a procedure which has for some time now been regarded as the cause of most of our perplexities in philosophy.
TASR-1 regulates alternative splicing of collagen genes in chondrogenic cells

During the differentiation of chondroprogenitors into mature chondrocytes, the alternative splicing of collagen genes switches from longer isoforms to shorter ones. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we infected mouse ATDC5 chondroprogenitor cells with retrovirus for stable expression of two closely related SR splicing factors. RT-PCR analysis revealed that TASR-1, but not TASR-2, influenced alternative splicing of type II and type XI collagens in ATDC5 cells. The effect of TASR-1 on splicing could be reversed with the addition of insulin. Results from our microarray analysis of ATDC5 cells showed that TASR-1 and TASR-2 differentially affect genes involved in the differentiation of chondrocytes. Of special interest is the finding that TASR-1 could down-regulate expression of type X collagen, a hallmark of hypertrophic chondrocytes. Immunohistostaining demonstrated that TASR-1 protein is more abundantly expressed than TASR-2 in mouse articular chondrocytes, raising the possibility that TASR-1 might be involved in phenotype maintenance of articular chondrocytes.
Comparison of terdiurnal tidal oscillations in mesospheric OH rotational temperature and Na lidar temperature measurements at mid-latitudes for fall/spring conditions

Results from two different instrumental techniques, an Na Wind/Temperature Lidar and an OH Mesospheric Temperature Mapper, have been combined to investigate the occurrence and properties of the mid-latitude terdiurnal (8-hr) tide at near mesopause altitudes (80–105 km). High-resolution Na lidar measurements were taken throughout the diurnal and annual cycle (1996–98) at Urbana, Illinois (40°N, 88°W) to characterize the seasonal behavior of the 24, 12, 8 and 6-hr tides. Complementary measurements using a recently developed CCD imager capable of mapping OH temperature (at ∼87 km altitude) were made from Bear Lake Observatory, Utah (41.9°N, 111.6°W) and Ft. Collins, Colorado (40.6°N, 105°W) within the same time period. The “mean day” lidar data for the spring and fall periods investigated here each indicate an average amplitude variation of ∼2–5 K over the depth of the OH layer but distinct phases of <1-hr LST and ∼7-hr LST, respectively, for the 8-hr component. The Temperature Mapper data are in excellent agreement with these findings but in addition have shown that the amplitude of this tidal component can vary by as much as an order of magnitude (1.5–15 K) on a night-by-night basis resulting in an apparent 8-hr dominance of the nocturnal variation during investigated portions of the spring and fall seasons with little or no diurnal and semi-diurnal variability evident. Reports of terdiurnal tidal measurements in the mid-latitude nightglow emissions are exceptionally rare and have yet to be modeled. These innovative joint measurements pave the way for new research in this important area.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentrations and Death Due to Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage: The Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study”

In their comments, Drs Noda and Iso focus on the concluding sentence of my editorial1 without reference to the preceding discussion that stressed the complex relationship between cholesterol and brain hemorrhage. It is worthwhile to apply standardized criteria when assessing potential casual relationships. Although imperfect, the Bradford Hill considerations are frequently used for this purpose.2 These considerations evaluate several domains: (1) strength (stronger associations are more likely to be causal than weaker associations), (2) consistency (the observation is found in different settings), (3) specificity (the effect is specific to an outcome or group), (4) temporality (the exposure must occur before the outcome), (5) biological gradient (dose–response relationship between the factor and the outcome), (6) plausibility (there is a plausible biological mechanism to explain the effect), (7) coherence (the association should be consistent with existing knowledge), (8) experiment (causality is more likely if supported by data from a randomized experiment), and (9) analogy (causality for a specific factor is …
Interactions of CO2 enrichment and temperature on carbohydrate accumulation and partitioning in rice

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the long-term effects of CO 2 concentration and temperature on carbohydrate partitioning and status in rice ( Oryza sativa L. cv. IR-30). The plants were grown season-long in sunlit, controlled-environment chambers with CO 2 concentrations of 330 or 660 μmol mol −1 , and daytime air temperatures of 28, 34 or 40°C. In leaf blades, the priority between partitioning of carbon into storage or into export changed with CO 2 concentration and temperature. Leaf sucrose concentration increased with CO 2 enrichment at all temperature regimes. Over the season, elevated CO 2 resulted in an increase in total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) concentration in leaf blades, leaf sheaths and culms at all temperature treatments. Elevated CO 2 had no effect on carbohydrate concentration in the grain at maturity, however, grain TNC concentration was significantly lowered by increasing temperature. Under the highest temperature regime, the plants in the 330 μmol mol −1 CO 2 treatment died during stem extension while the CO 2 enriched plants survived but produced sterile panicles. The results suggest that CO 2 -enriched plants could survive and maintain carbohydrate production rates at higher temperatures than the non-enriched plants; however, the optimum temperature for TNC accumulation was 28°C at both CO 2 concentrations.
An Analysis of Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Output in Southern Nevada

A study is reported of predicted flat-plate photovoltaic output in Southern Nevada, and this output is compared to the time variation of the electrical utility load for this area. Included in the comparisons are typical summer time variations of predicted outputs and loads on an hourly basis. Also shown are the time differentials between the utility peak load and the peak photovoltaic output. Plots are also given of the fractions of the output of the photovoltaic systems relative to their peaks that occur at the time of the utility load peak. Finally, the results of a study are reported that investigates the influence of time-of-day purchase prices on the orientation of the modules to maximize revenues. A simple price model based on one used by the local utility for independent power producer purchases is incorporated to show the influence of pricing on optimal orientation.
Krüppel-like transcription factors in the nervous system: novel players in neurite outgrowth and axon regeneration.

The Kruppel-like family of transcription factors (KLFs) have been widely studied in proliferating cells, though very little is known about their role in post-mitotic cells, such as neurons. We have recently found that the KLFs play a role in regulating intrinsic axon growth ability in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), a type of central nervous system (CNS) neuron. Previous KLF studies in other cell types suggest that there may be cell-type specific KLF expression patterns, and that their relative expression allows them to compete for binding sites, or to act redundantly to compensate for another's function. With at least 15 of 17 KLF family members expressed in neurons, it will be important for us to determine how this complex family functions to regulate the intricate gene programs of axon growth and regeneration. By further characterizing the mechanisms of the KLF family in the nervous system, we may better understand how they regulate neurite growth and axon regeneration.
Optimization of enhanced active constrained layer (EACL) treatment on helicopter flexbeams for aeromechanical stability augmentation

This paper investigates the feasibility of employing enhanced active constrained layer (EACL) damping treatments on the flexbeams of soft in-plane bearingless main rotors (BMRs) for lag mode damping and aeromechanical stability augmentation. A finite element based mathematical model of the EACL damping treatment of the flexbeam has been developed and validated. A derivative controller based on the flexbeam tip transverse velocity is used in this investigation. A filter is implemented to remove the 1/rev component of velocity in the feedback signal. A thorough optimization/design study is conducted to understand the influence of various design parameters, such as viscoelastic layer thickness, PZT actuator thickness and edge element stiffness, on PZT actuator electrical field levels, induced axial stress levels and available lag damping. The results of this study show that the EACL treatment of the flexbeams has good potential for rotor stability augmentation.
A Reliable Method of Obtaining the Derivative Function from Smoothed Data of Observation

In this process of differentiation there is involved no attempt to determine empirically an equation capable of representing the given data sufficiently well to admit differentiation. On the contrary, a differentiating tool is applied successively to various small sections of the data. This tool is the fourth degree polynomial determined by five points.
Computer-assisted pop-up design for children: computationally enriched paper engineering

Computationally-enriched crafts are activities that blend the advantages of computational media with the affective, social, and cognitive affordances of children's crafts. In this paper, we describe a design application, Popup Workshop, whose purpose is to introduce children to the craft (and engineering discipline) of pop-up design in paper. We describe the fundamental ideas behind computational crafts in general, present our application in its current implementation and offer a scenario for its use, explore the particular ways in which pop-up design serves as fertile ground for integrating computation and tangible design, and discuss our early pilot tests with elementary-school children, as well as ongoing and related work.
Biases in ethical decision making among university faculty.

Over the years, cognitive biases have been examined throughout the decision-making literature, but little work has investigated the cognitive biases operating in ethical decision making. The present effort explores a taxonomy of biases through interviews with university faculty members. Additionally, this study identifies the psychological processes giving rise to these biases in ethical decision making. Results suggest that the biases listed in the taxonomy are indeed operating in the ethical decision making of university faculty. Implications of these results are discussed.
Understanding Travel Time Expenditures Around the World: Exploring the Notion of a Travel Time Frontier

Travel behavior researchers have been intrigued by the amount of time that people allocate to travel in a day, i.e., the daily travel time expenditure, commonly referred to as a “travel time budget”. Explorations into the notion of a travel time budget have once again resurfaced in the context of activity-based and time use research in travel behavior modeling. This paper revisits the issue by developing the notion of a travel time frontier (TTF) that is distinct from the actual travel time expenditure or budget of an individual. The TTF is defined in this paper as an intrinsic maximum amount of time that people are willing to allocate for travel. It is treated as an unobserved frontier that influences the actual travel time expenditure measured in travel surveys. Using travel survey datasets from around the world (i.e., US, Switzerland and India), this paper sheds new light on daily travel time expenditures by modeling the unobserved TTF and comparing these frontiers across international contexts. The stochastic frontier modeling methodology is employed to model the unobserved TTF as a production frontier. Separate models are estimated for commuter and non-commuter samples to recognize the differing constraints between these market segments. Comparisons across the international contexts show considerable differences in average unobserved TTF values.
Interferometric Observations of IRC +10011 and IRC +10420 in the Mid-Infrared

The 11 km fringe visibilities of IRC )10011 (\ CIT3) and IRC )10420 have been measured at base- lines ranging from 2 to 14 m with a two-telescope interferometer. The visibility data provide one- dimensional pro—les of these two stars and their immediate surroundings with higher resolution in this spectral range than is presently possible with a single-aperture telescope. Spherically symmetric radiative transfer models suggest that IRC )10011 is surrounded by a dust shell with an inner radius subtending which falls oU in density as r~1.5, slightly slower than the r~2 expected for constant dust out—ow. 0A.033, IRC )10420 appears to have a dust shell of inner radius the density of which drops very slowly 0A.12, compared with that in a constant out—ow. This implies decreasing out—ow or a signi—cant emission in the past. Subject headings: circumstellar matterinfrared: starsstars: AGB and post-AGB ¨ stars: individual (IRC )10011, IRC )10420) ¨ techniques: interferometric
Experimental results with increased bandwidth analysis filters in oversampled, subband acoustic echo cancelers

The motivation for adaptive filtering in subbands stems from two well-known problems in least-mean square full-band adaptive filtering. First, the convergence and tracking can be very slow if the input correlation matrix is ill conditioned, as in the case with speech input. Second, very high order adaptive filters are computationally expensive. One problem with adaptive filtering in subbands is the slow, asymptotic convergence associated with oversampled systems. Increasing the bandwidth of analysis filters relative to the synthesis filters is proposed to reduce the slow asymptotic convergence. The authors present experimental results illustrating the benefits of this modification. >
Phonemic effects in reading comprehension and text memory

Two experiments investigated the role of phonemic information in adult reading comprehension and replicated the visual tongue-twister effect in a new paradigm-a modified probe memory task. College students took longer to read sentences that repeated word initial consonants (tongue-twisters) than matched control sentences. Equally important, subjects also took longer to respond to probe words from tongue-twisters. Slower response times in both the sentence reading task and the probe memory task and the probe memory task indicate that the tongue-twister effect is indeed phonemic in nature and that phonemic information is used in memory during comprehension
DNA binding specificity of steroid receptors.

Cette revue bibliographique traite de la liaison de l'ADN avec des recepteurs steroides. On s'interesse aux domaines de liaison des proteines, aux changements dans la specificite des liaisons, et aux implications structurales au niveau des recepteurs steroides
Robotic Mitral Valve Annuloplasty With Double-Arm Nitinol U-Clips

Abstract Purpose Robotic mitral valve repair increases precision however operative times are longer. Prior studies have indicated that robotic knot tying is time consuming and it is without potential room for improvement. We therefore investigated tissue approximation devices that may shorten operative times. Description A 67-year-old female was approached through a right mini-thoracotomy with the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA). Using 12 nitinol U-clips (Coalescent Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) an annuloplasty band was placed under robotic guidance. Clip placement and deployment times were recorded and statistical comparisons were assessed to prior suture annuloplasties. Evaluation Clip placement time was 1.3 ± 0.9 (minutes ± standard deviation), statistical comparison with first, most recent, and all prior suture annuloplasties proving no significance. Clip deployment time was 0.5 ± 0.2, whereas knot-tying times and respective statistical comparison for first, most recent, and all prior suture annuloplasties were 2.0 ± 0.7 ( p = 0.003), 1.2 ± 0.4 ( p = 0.0004), and 1.6 ± 0.6 ( p Conclusions U-clips considerably reduce time for annuloplasty over conventional suture and may help reduce operative times as well.
Patterns of segregation and convergence in the evolution of fern and seed plant leaf morphologies

Global information on Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and extant non-angiosperm leaf morphol- ogies has been gathered to investigate morphological diversity in leaves consistent with marginal growth and to identify likely departures from such development. Two patterns emerge from the principal coordinates analysis of this data set: (1) the loss of morphological diversity associated with marginal leaf growth among seed plants after sharing the complete Paleozoic range of such morphologies with ferns and (2) the repeated evolution of more complex, angiosperm-like leaf traits among both ferns and seed plants. With regard to the first pattern, morphological divergence of fern and seed plant leaf morphologies, indirectly recognized as part of the Paleophytic-Meso- phytic transition, likely reflects reproductive and ecological divergence. The leaf-borne reproduc- tive structures that are common to the ferns and Paleozoic seed plants may promote leaf morpho- logical diversity, whereas the separation of vegetative and reproductive roles into distinct organs in later seed plant groups may have allowed greater functional specialization—and thereby mor- phological simplification—as the seed plants came to be dominated by groups originating in more arid environments. With regard to the second pattern, the environmental and ecological distri- bution of angiosperm-like leaf traits among fossil and extant plants suggests that these traits pref- erentially evolve in herbaceous to understory plants of warm, humid environments, thus sup- porting inferences concerning angiosperm origins based upon the ecophysiology of basal extant taxa.
Vascular myocyte-derived nitric oxide is an autocrine that limits vasoconstriction.

Vascular myocytes and endothelial cells possess the enzymatic machinery to generate nitric oxide from L-arginine. This study tests the hypothesis that myocyte-derived nitric oxide has an autocrine function to inhibit contraction. Rat aortic rings were placed in muscle baths for isometric force measurement. Denuded and intact rings contracted to Nωnitro-L-arginine; L-arginine reversed these contractions. Compared to intact rings, contractile sensitivity to phenylephrine was increased in denuded rings; Nωnitro-L-arginine caused a further enhancement of phenylephrine sensitivity. Acetylcholine contracted denuded rings but not intact rings; these contractions were also potentiated by Nωnitro-L-arginine. In intact rings contracted with phenylephrine, acetylcholine caused relaxation that was inhibited by Nωnitro-L-arginine. Denuded rings did not relax to acetylcholine. In summary, contractile responses of rat aortae to interventions that alter nitric oxide production are the composite of enzymatic activity in both the endothelial cells and myocytes. Thus, myocyte-derived nitric oxide modulates vascular tone.
Perception of Performance in Group Brainstorming: The Illusion of Group Productivity

Research has shown that individuals produce fewer ideas in interactive brainstorming groups than when brainstorming alone. However, group brainstorming remains a popular technique in organizations and industry. One basis for this popularity may be the perceived productivity of group brainstorming. A survey of expected performance in group brainstorming revealed that most individuals believed they would generate more ideas in groups than alone. Individuals who, in a second experiment, actually performed in brainstorming groups also perceived their performance more favorably than individuals who brainstormed alone. The results of a third experiment indicate that the illusion of group productivity may derive in part from the opportunity for social comparison that is available in group brainstorming. It also appears that individuals tend to take credit for a disproportionate amount of the brainstorming activity in groups.
An IVUS study of May-Thurner syndrome in patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale

Background: We have previously documented the incidence of MayThurner Syndrome (MTS) in patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale (PFO). We prospectively performed intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in a cohort of 16 patients undergoing PFO closure in the context of a cryptogenic stroke. Methods: IVUS was performed of the left common iliac vein (CIV) in all patients with documented MTS by magnetic resonance venography using an 8F, 40-MHz transducer (Boston Scientific Corporation, Natick, MA, USA). The transducer was positioned distally in the inferior vena cava and systematically pulled back through the left CIV into the sheath. Studies were recorded and analyzed offline. Results: The patients were predominantly female (88%) with a mean age of 40±12 years. The group represented a low cardiovascular risk group with hypertension (12%), hypercholesterolemia (11%), smokers (27%), and diabetes (17%). All PFOs demonstrated right-to-left shunting on transesophageal echocardiography. Atrial septal aneurysms were present in 16% and hypermobile atrial septae in 17% of patients. IVUS demonstrated N75% lumen area stenosis from the adjacent right common iliac artery in all studied vessels. Intimal venous spurs were observed in two patients, venous stasis with rouleaux formation was observed in 10 patients but no evidence of deep venous thromboses was evident in these vessels. Conclusion: IVUS is a safe and reliable invasive tool for the study of MTS in the context of PFO and cryptogenic stroke. This study further highlights the importance of the association of MTS and PFO in the context of cryptogenic stroke.
Rememberng the Alamo

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The Antiinflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protects from High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperglycemia

Subclinical inflammation is a recently discovered phenomenon in type 2 diabetes. Elevated cytokines impair beta-cell function and survival. A recent clinical trial shows that blocking IL-1beta signaling by IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) improves beta-cell secretory function in patients with type 2 diabetes. In the present study, we provide further mechanisms of the protective role of IL-1Ra on the beta-cell. IL-1Ra prevented diabetes in vivo in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat/high-sucrose diet (HFD) for 12 wk; it improved glucose tolerance and insulin secretion. High-fat diet treatment increased serum levels of free fatty acids and of the adipokines resistin and leptin, which were reduced by IL-1Ra treatment. In addition, IL-1Ra counteracted adiponectin levels, which were decreased by high-fat feeding. Studies on isolated islets revealed that IL-1Ra specifically acted on the beta-cell. IL-1Ra protected islets from HFD treated animals from beta-cell apoptosis, induced beta-cell proliferation, and improved glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Insulin mRNA was reduced in islets from mice fed a HFD but normalized in the IL-1Ra group. Our results show that IL-1Ra improves beta-cell survival and function, and support the potential role for IL-1Ra in the treatment of diabetes.
Nursing surveillance moderates the relationship between staffing levels and pediatric postoperative serious adverse events: A nested case–control study

Abstract Background Insufficient monitoring, surveillance, and nurse staffing levels are system factors that may contribute to serious adverse events and deterioration in hospitalized patients. Limited data have examined the relationship between these factors and postoperative outcomes, particularly in the pediatric setting. Objectives This retrospective, case–control study examined the relationship between surveillance, staffing, and serious adverse events in children on general care postoperative units. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) the relationship between patient factors and surveillance would be moderated by staffing (i.e., registered nurse hours per patient per shift), and (2) the relationship between staffing and serious adverse events would be mediated by surveillance. Methods With institutional review board approval, children with serious adverse events on a general care unit were identified from institutional event databases, and procedure-matched controls were randomly selected from surgical lists. Demographics, co-morbidities, perioperative information, frequency of postoperative monitoring and assessments (i.e., surveillance), and registered nurse hours per patient per shift (i.e., staffing) were recorded. Regression models were used to test the hypotheses. Results The Event Group included 98 children and the Control Group, 158. Registered nurse hours per patient per shift were lower for the Event Group (2.99±0.59) compared to Controls (3.38±1.23, p =0.002). The number of assessments/shift was higher for the Event Group (4.27±2.8) compared to Controls (2.85±1.9; p p =0.001). Staffing moderated the relationship between comorbidity and surveillance ( r 2 =0.192, p r 2 =0.435; p Conclusions Nurse staffing levels moderated the relationship between patient factors and surveillance demonstrating that this association is dependent on staffing levels. The association between staffing and adverse outcomes was dependent on the level of surveillance. Increased surveillance based on recognition of deterioration may have facilitated rescue of children in this setting, even during times of lower staffing.
Recent progress in the pathogenesis and management of essential thrombocythemia

In the last decade, the diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia (ET) has been refined by appreciation of the occurrence of karyotypically occult but molecularly evident chronic myelogenous leukemia and morphologically subtle myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and cellular-phase agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM). Although ET continues to be defined by the presence of nonreactive thrombocythemia that is not accounted for by another chronic myeloid disorder, recent studies of clonality and other laboratory parameters have suggested clinically relevant biologic heterogeneity among affected patients. Furthermore, randomized, prospective, and controlled retrospective data have provided additional clinical information that has resulted in the development of risk categories and risk-adjusted treatment recommendations.