cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breast cancer and coping among women of color: a systematic review of the literature

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer for women regardless of race/ethnicity. Women of color are diagnosed at later stages and experience greater mortality than their White counterparts. However, there has been comparatively little research on coping with breast among racial/ethnic minorities at time of diagnosis, during treatment, or in the course of survivorship. This is despite the fact that research has repeatedly shown that distress can impact disease progression and survival. The questions asked of this systematic literature review include: (1) What is known about coping with breast cancer among major racial/ethnic groups? (2) What are the strengths and gaps in research to date? Over 120 peer-reviewed published studies (1980–2012) were reviewed. A total of 33 met criteria for inclusion including 15 quantitative, 17 qualitative, and 1 mixed methods study. The majority of studies were small sample cross-sectional studies. Only five studies were longitudinal, and two randomized-controlled intervention trials sought to improve coping among survivors. The most common topic in both quantitative and qualitative studies was spirituality and coping among African American breast cancer patients. Thirteen studies included Latinas only or in combination with other groups. Only one quantitative and one qualitative study solely addressed the Asian American population exploring coping and adjustment. In the course of this systematic literature review, we elucidate what is known about coping with breast cancer among racial/ethnic minority women and identify priorities for future research.
With a Pretty Whisper: Deception and Transformation in David’s Cupid and Psyche and Apuleius’s Metamorphoses

Although generally dismissed as superficial, David’s late Cupid and Psyche discloses intellectual and moral aims. Comparisons with the image’s literary model, Apuleius’s Metamorphoses, and with the symbolic system of Speculative Freemasonary, bring out David’s turn to an allegorical, heuristic didacticism in his late years. As in Apuleius’s parallel stories of Lucius and Psyche, the erotic subject and disjunctive style of the painting alternately hide and convey a delayed experience of spiritual metamorphosis. Completed when the artist was seventy years old and in exile, Cupid and Psyche is David’s meditation on the difficult journey of life and the passage towards death.
High resolution optical interference investigation of deformation due to thermal expansion mismatch around plated through holes in multilayer circuit boards

By adhering a thin and therefore flexible, microscope cover slip to the top surface of a multilayer circuit board, localised variations inz axis thermal expansion between the laminate and the copper sleeve on a plated through hole (PTH) have been observed and measured. Moire fringes have been generated from superimposed photographs of the pattern of optical interference fringes formed in the gap between an optical flat and the free surface of the cover slip; adjacent moire fringes are contours of normal displacement differing in magnitude by half a wavelength. Thin plate elasticity theory applied to the cover slip permits the distribution of normal stress to be estimated. Environmental cycling of soldered and unsoldered PTH's reveal that the copper sleeve experiences greater axial stress in the former and is never stress free at any point in the cycle. The maximum tensile stresses are found to be well in excess of the yield strength of annealed OFHC copper. The same optical interference fringe technique has been used to measure thez axis thermal expansion coefficient (a) over the range -40‡ C to 60‡ C. For the glass fibre/polyimide laminate boards studied here, there exists two linear regimes of expansion; α = 38.9 x 10−6 K−1 below and 68.2 x×10−6 K−1 above 29.7° C.
Measurement of plantarflexor spasticity in traumatic brain injury: correlational study of resistance torque compared with the modified Ashworth scale.

Objectives: To examine the usefulness of a biomechanical measure, resistance torque (RT), in quantifying spasticity by comparing its use with a clinical scale, the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), and quantitative electrophysiological measures. Design: This is a correlational study of spasticity measurements in 34 adults with traumatic brain injury and plantarflexor spasticity. Plantarflexor spasticity was measured in the seated position before and after cryotherapy using the MAS and also by strapping each subject's foot and ankle to an apparatus that provided a ramp and hold stretch. The quantitative measures were (1) reflex threshold angle (RTA) calculated through electromyographic signals and joint angle traces, (2) H dorsiflexion (Hdf)/H control (Hctrl) amplitude ratio obtained through reciprocal inhibition of the soleus H-reflex, (3) H vibration (Hvib)/Hctrl ratio obtained through vibratory inhibition of the soleus H-reflex, and (4) RT calculated as the time integral of the torque graph between the starting and ending pulses of the stretch. Results: Correlation coefficients between RT and MAS scores in both pre-ice (0.41) and post-ice trials (0.42) were fair (P = 0.001). The correlation coefficients between RT scores and RTA scores in both the pre-ice (0.66) and post-ice trials (0.75) were moderate (P < 0.001). Conclusion: RT is a measure of the cumulative torque during an imposed stretch. The MAS is a subjective measure of the cumulative resistance perceived by the clinician during an imposed stretch. RT seems to be a fair quantitative correlate of the MAS in assessing spasticity.
Eigenvalue Assignment Control Method for Linear Time-Varying System With Disturbances

This paper presents a novel Ackermann-like eigenvalue assignment control architecture for a linear time-varying system in the presence of time-varying disturbances. Eigenvalue assignment architectures are presented as a way to achieving feedback stabilization. This method does not require the transformation of the original system into a phase-variable canonical form nor the computation of the PD-eigenvalue of the original system. An example is given to demonstrate the performance of this proposed control method.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Transient unilateral pulmonary edema after successful balloon dilation of peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis

Abstract Catheterization complications following balloon dilation for peripheral pulmonary stenosis have been described previously, including pulmonary artery rupture and death. 1,2 A previously unreported finding, transient unilateral pulmonary edema, occurred in 4 patients following successful dilations at 2 institutions. All 4 patients had an acute increase in distal pulmonary artery pressure in association with edema formation. The edema was transient and the patients did well clinically within several days of dilation. This previously unreported finding may suggest that successful balloon dilations for peripheral pulmonary stenosis can result in unilateral pulmonary edema on the basis of overperfusion.
Ultrasonographic and electrophysiological adjuncts to surgery within the brain stem: technical note.

ABSTRACTTHE SURGICAL APPROACH to intrinsic lesions within the brain stem is undertaken by the surgeon knowing the potential for significant operative morbidity. We report the use of real-time intraoperative ultrasound and electrophysiological mapping techniques to aid in the localization and resecti
A NEW VARIETY OF SENECIO (ASTERACEAE: SENECIONEAE) FROM THE SIERRA DE MANANTLAN, JALISCO, MEXICO, WITH NOTES ON THE S. ROLDANA COMPLEX

Senecio galicianus var.manantlanensis (sectionPalmatinervii) occurs in cooler, moister habitats at higher elevations of the Sierra de Manantlan than the typical variety. Morphological, ecological, and phenological data support maintainingS. galicianus andS. Kerberi as species separate from the closely relatedS. Roldana and treating the new taxon as a variety ofS. galicianus. Although var.manantlanensis tends to have larger and less deeply and sharply lobed leaves than var.galicianus,t-tests and discriminant analyses demonstrate that the best diagnostic characters are the fewer but longer phyllaries and florets in its heads.
Guidelines, Criteria, and Rules of Thumb for Evaluating Normed and Standardized Assessment Instruments in Psychology.

In the context of the development of prototypic assessment instruments in the areas of cognition, personality, and adaptive functioning, the issues of standardization, norming procedures, and the important psychometrics of test reliability and validity are evaluated critically. Criteria, guidelines, and simple rules of thumb are provided to assist the clinician faced with the challenge of choosing an appropriate test instrument for a given psychological assessment. Clinicians are often faced with the critical challenge of choosing the most appropriate available test instrument for a given psychological assessment of a child, adolescent, or adult of a particular age, gender, and class of disability. It is the purpose of this report to provide some criteria, guidelines, or simple rules of thumb to aid in this complex scientific decision. As such, it draws upon my experience with issues of test development, standardization, norming procedures, and important psychometrics, namely, test reliability and validity. As I and my colleagues noted in an earlier publication, the major areas of psychological functioning, in the normal development of infants, children, adolescents, adults, and elderly people, include cognitive, academic, personality, and adaptive behaviors (Sparrow, Fletcher, & Cicchetti, 1985). As such, the major examples or applications discussed in this article derive primarily, although not exclusively, from these several areas of human functioning.
Evaluating orbital occupation number correlations in high-temperature plasmas

Abstract We describe a method for calculating quantum statistical properties of hot ions in a plasma with the electrons treated beyond the independent particle approximation. The grand partition function, as well as other ensemble average quantities such as mean orbital occupancies and orbital occupation correlations, are given by exact integral expressions that can be evaluated by standard numerical techniques. Analytic approximations to the quadratures are obtained by employing a multi-variate Gaussian integration about the saddle point of the integrand. Illustrative numerical results are presented, and methods for estimating the error in computed quantities are discussed.
Patterns of 21-Gene Assay Testing and Chemotherapy Use in Black and White Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract Background In women with early stage, hormone receptor (HR)-positive (HR + ) breast cancer, the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) assay quantifies recurrence risk and predicts chemotherapy responsiveness. Recent data suggest that not all women with early-stage, HR + disease receive this testing. We examined sociodemographic, clinical, and attitudinal factors associated with RS testing receipt and the RS testing effect on chemotherapy use in black and white patients. Patients and Methods Women with newly diagnosed invasive, nonmetastatic breast cancer were recruited and interviewed to collect sociocultural and health care process data; clinical data were collected from charts. Of the sample (n = 359), 270 had HR + disease. Primary analysis focused on those with HR + node-negative disease (n = 143); secondary analyses included node-positive women. Logistic regression models evaluated factors associated with receipt of RS testing and chemotherapy. Results Among women eligible for the 21-gene assay, 62 patients [43%] received RS testing. In multivariable analysis, older age (odds ratio, 1.04 per 1 year increase; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.08) was associated with RS testing after adjustment for covariates. Chemotherapy use was 23%. In multivariable analysis, positive attitudes about chemotherapy and greater risk of recurrence were associated with chemotherapy use ( P Conclusion Patterns of genomic testing might vary according to age. Efforts to understand factors associated with low testing rates will be important.
Defective Interfering Particles of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus: Functions of the Genomic Termini☆

Abstract The functions of thecis-acting sequence elements at the termini of the negative strand RNA virus vesicular stomatitis virus and its defective-interfering particles were evaluated. Either genomic terminus could signal replication but increasing the complementarity of the termini enhanced replication irrespective of whether the termini consisted of the 3′ leader and its complement or the 5′ trailer and its complement. The 5′ trailer region contains an essentialcis-acting requirement for assembly of RNPs into infectious particles. These findings explain why the majority of DI RNAs are of the 5′ copy-back class: RNAs with complementary termini from either end have a replicative advantage, but only 5′ copy-back RNAs contain the signal for assembly into particles.
Hookah Use Predicts Cigarette Smoking Progression Among College Smokers

© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved.Introduction: Hookah use is increasingly common among U.S. college students, but little is known regarding the relationship between hookah and cigarette use. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the added nicotine exposure from hookah use may accelerate the uptake of cigarettes. Methods: An ethnically diverse sample of college students (n = 256; 43% female) who had smoked cigarettes in the past month completed 2 in-person interviews over 6 months. This study was a secondary analysis of data collected for a longitudinal study of young adult cigarette smoking patterns. Analyses examined 6-month changes in past 30 day cigarettes smoked and number of days smoking, controlling for age, nicotine dependence, marijuana use, and the respective baseline variable for each outcome. Results: Current hookah use (any use in past 30 days) was endorsed by 34% of participants at baseline, while 94% reported lifetime use. Change in past 30 day number of cigarettes (p = .043) and number of smoking days (p = .040) differed significantly between those who did or did not report recent hookah use at baseline. Hookah users reported a greater number of cigarettes smoked at the 6-month follow-up, while nonusers decreased their smoking quantity. For number of smoking days in the past 30, hookah users reported a smaller decrease than nonusers. Conclusions: Recent hookah use predicted increased cigarette smoking over 6 months in a college sample. These are the first prospective data demonstrating this relationship, indicating the value of developing strategies to prevent hookah use among college students.
Detection and localization of pulmonary air leaks using laser-polarized3He MRI

Pulmonary air leaks were created in the lungs of Yorkshire pigs. Dynamic, 3D MRI of laser-polarized (3)He gas was then performed using a gradient-echo pulse sequence. Coronal magnitude images of the helium distribution were acquired during gas inhalation with a voxel resolution of approximately 1.2 x 2.5 x 8 mm, and a time resolution of 5 sec. In each animal, the ventilation images reveal focal high-signal intensity within the pleural cavity at the site of the air leaks. In addition, a wedge-shaped region of increased parenchymal signal intensity was observed adjacent to the site of the air leak in one animal. (3)He MRI may prove helpful in the management of patients with pulmonary air leaks.
Local impurity puffing as a scrape-off layer diagnostic on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak

Abstract A capillary injection system has been installed on Alcator C-Mod which allows the localized introduction of gaseous species at a variety of poloidal locations. An experimental program has been undertaken to observe impurity puffs with a CCD camera through appropriate optical filters. The comet-like shape of an ion line emission plume formed in the region of an injection graphically displays the direction of background deuterium flow as well as that of the poloidal impurity ion drift. Parallel and cross-field one-dimensional fluid models are used to characterize the plume shapes and to deduce the background plasma temperature, the parallel flow velocity and the poloidal drift velocity of the impurity ion. Model results are benchmarked against simulations of DIVIMP, a Monte Carlo code, and fast scanning probe measurements. The experiments present a novel diagnostic technique to elucidate local edge impurity transport.
Analyzing philosophy in rhetoric: Darrow's mechanism in the defense of Leopold and Loeb

As an avowed proponent of mechanistic doctrine, Clarence Darrow subscribed to the view that human actions are determined by heredity and environment, and free will does not exist. This view often anchored Darrow's strategies as a defense counsel, since it allowed him to argue that his clients were unwitting victims of unfortunate circumstances. Darrow was pressed to exploit more subtle adaptations of mechanistic doctrines in his “defense” of Leopold and Loeb, however, because the defendants enjoyed the advantages of privilege and wealth. Darrow's adaptive techniques and their probative force are examined here as a rhetorical paradox.
Suppression of guinea pig ileum induced contractility by plasma albumin of hibernators.

Abstract Previous studies suggest that hibernation may be regulated by internal opioids and that the putative “hibernation induction trigger” (HIT) may itself be an opioid. This study examined the effect of plasma albumin (known to bind HIT) on induced contractility of the guinea pig ileum muscle strip. Morphine (400 nM) depressed contractility and 100 nM naloxone restored it. Ten milligrams of lyophilized plasma albumin fractions from hibernating ground squirrels, woodchucks, black bears, and polar bears produced similar inhibition, with partial reversal by naloxone. Five hundredths mg of d -Ala 2 - d -Leu 5 -enkephalin (DADLE) also inhibited contractility and naloxone reversed it. Conclusions are that hibernating individuals of these species contain an HIT substance that is opioid in nature and summer animals do not; an endogenous opioid similar to leu-enkephalin may be the HIT compound or give rise to it.
Heme oxygenase 2 deficiency increases brain swelling and inflammation after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains a major medical problem and currently has no effective treatment. Hemorrhaged blood is highly toxic to the brain, and catabolism of the pro-oxidant heme, mainly released from hemoglobin, is critical for the resolution of hematoma after ICH. The degradation of the pro-oxidant heme is controlled by heme oxygenase (HO). We have previously reported a neuroprotective role for HO2 in early brain injury after ICH; however, in vivo data that specifically address the role of HO2 in brain edema and neuroinflammation after ICH are absent. Here, we tested the hypothesis that HO2 deletion would exacerbate ICH-induced brain edema, neuroinflammation, and oxidative damage. We subjected wild-type (WT) and HO2 knockout (−/−) mice to the collagenase-induced ICH model. Interestingly, HO2−/− mice had enhanced brain swelling and neuronal death, although HO2 deletion did not increase collagenase-induced bleeding; the exacerbation of brain injury in HO2−/− mice was also associated with increases in neutrophil infiltration, microglial/macrophage and astrocyte activation, DNA damage, peroxynitrite production, and cytochrome c immunoreactivity. In addition, we found that hemispheric enlargement was more sensitive than brain water content in the detection of subtle changes in brain edema formation in this model. Combined, these novel findings extend our previous observations and demonstrate that HO2 deficiency increases brain swelling, neuroinflammation, and oxidative damage. The results provide additional evidence that HO2 plays a critical protective role against ICH-induced early brain injury.
Sources and consumption of antioxidants in the diet

Vitamin E is the most important tissue antioxidant in preventing or controlling non-specific reactions from various oxidizing species produced in normal metabolism. Through this action, the vitamin protects polyunsaturated fatty acid loss from phospholipids and consequent membrane damage. The U.S. diet has an abundance of vitamin E and normal individuals accumulate effective amounts in their tissues, which is consistent with the latest recommended dietary allowances for vitamin E as indicated by the National Research Council.
New, potent P1/P2-morpholinone-based HIV-protease inhibitors.

Abstract We have developed efficient synthesis of morpholinone-based cyclic mimetics of the P1/P2 portion of the HIV-1 protease inhibitor Amprenavir. This effort led to discovery of allyl- and spiro-cyclopropyl—P2-substituted inhibitors 17 and 31, both 500 times more potent than the parent inhibitor 1. These results support morpholinones as novel mimetics of the P1/P2 portion of Amprenavir and potentially of other HIV-protease inhibitors, and thus provide a novel medicinal chemistry template for optimization toward more potent and drug-like inhibitors.
HIGH LEVEL OF A NERVE GROWTH FACTOR IN THE SERUM OF A PATIENT WITH MEDULLARY CARCINOMA OF THE THYROID GLAND

SUMMARY The serum of a patient with a familial medullary thyroid carcinoma showed levels of a factor, active in the nerve growth factor (NGF) bioassay and cross-reacting immunologically with mouse NGF, 20-1000 times higher than sera from normal controls or from patients with unrelated tumours. Variations of the level of this factor in the serum closely correlated with the progression of the disease. One of the patient's sons, apparently clinically normal, also showed high levels of this factor in the serum, raising the possibility that abnormality in the production of this factor could be present at an early stage of the disease.
An automated sound-localization chamber

A completely automated free-field sound-localization apparatus is described along with a behavioral technique that provides several advantages over previously available methods. With the apparatus, the ability to localize the source of a sound has been tested in a wide variety of mammals including cats, rats, squirrel monkeys, hedgehogs, and tree shews.
“It's ideally suited for that purpose, so we won't be using it that way”

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine possible reasons behind apparent absurdities in the library.Design/methodology/approach – The paper looks at a renovation project at Daniel Library, Charleston, South Carolina and the problems encountered because of its previous history.Findings – The paper finds that some changes are unavoidable as cost‐saving measures; some might be due to the sort of person who enters library work.Research limitations/implications – The paper highlights personality types in library work and the history of library security systems.Practical implications – The paper reveals that not all planning decisions are as stupid as they look.Originality/value – The paper encourages readers to think about why they make the decisions they do.
Carcinogenesis and the plasma membrane

Presented is a two-stage hypothesis of carcinogenesis based on: (1) plasma membrane defects that produce abnormal electron and proton efflux; and (2) electrical uncoupling of cells through loss of intercellular communication. These changes can be induced by a wide variety of stimuli including chemical carcinogens, oncoviruses, inherited and/or acquired genetic defects, and epigenetic abnormalities. The resulting loss of electron/proton homeostasis leads to decreased transmembrane potential, electrical microenvironment alterations, decreased extracellular pH, and increased intracellular pH. This produces a positive feedback loop to enhance and sustain the proton/electron efflux and loss of intercellular communication. Low transmembrane potential is functionally related to rapid cell cycling, changes in membrane structure, and malignancy. Intracellular alkalinization affects a variety of pH-sensitive systems including glycolysis, DNA synthesis, DNA transcription and DNA repair, and promotes genetic instability, accounting for the accumulation of genetic defects seen in malignancy. The abnormal microenvironment results in the selective survival and proliferation of malignant cells at the expense of contiguous normal cell populations.
The Potential for Small Scale Hydropower Development in the U.S.

In an earlier paper (Kosnik, 2008), the potential for small scale hydro-power to contribute to U.S. renewable energy supplies, as well as reduce current carbon emissions, was investigated. It was discovered that thousands of viable sites capable of producing significant amounts of hydroelectric power were available throughout the United States. The primary objective of this paper is to determine the cost-effectiveness of developing these small scale hydro-power sites. Just because a site has the necessary topographical features to allow small scale hydro-power development, does not mean that it should be pursued from a cost-benefit perspective, even if it is a renewable energy resource with minimal effects on the environment. This analysis finds that while the average cost of developing small scale hydro-power is relatively high, there still remains hundreds of sites on the low end of the cost scale that are cost-effective to develop right now.
The Monopolin Complex Crosslinks Kinetochore Components to Regulate Chromosome-Microtubule Attachments

SUMMARY The monopolin complex regulates different types of kinetochore-microtubule attachments in fungi, ensuring sister chromatid co-orientation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae meiosis I and inhibiting merotelic attachmentinSchizosaccharomycespombemitosis. In addition, the monopolin complex maintains the integrity and silencing of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) repeats in the nucleolus. We show here that the S. cerevisiae Csm1/Lrs4 monopolin subcomplex has a distinctive V-shaped structure, with two pairs of protein-protein interaction domains positioned 10 nm apart. Csm1 presents a conserved hydrophobic surface patch that binds two kinetochore proteins: Dsn1, a subunit of the outer-kinetochore MIND/Mis12 complex, and Mif2/CENP-C. Csm1 point-mutations that disrupt kinetochore-subunit binding also disrupt sister chromatid co-orientation in S. cerevisiae meiosis I. We further show that the same Csm1 point-mutations affect rDNA silencing, probably by disrupting binding to the rDNA-associated protein Tof2. We propose that Csm1/Lrs4 functions as a molecular clamp, crosslinking kinetochore components to enforce sister chromatid co-orientation in S. cerevisiae meiosis I and to suppress merotelic attachment in S. pombe mitosis, and crosslinking rDNA repeats to aid rDNA silencing.
PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY FOR UNILATERAL RENAL CARCINOMA AND A NORMAL CONTRALATERAL KIDNEY: 10-YEAR FOLLOWUP

AbstractPurpose: The long-term results of partial nephrectomy for unilateral renal tumors in patients with a normal contralateral kidney are presented.Materials and Methods: A total of 70 patients with incidentally discovered renal carcinoma underwent partial nephrectomy between 1979 and 1997. End points were local recurrence-free and disease-free survival.Results: Median followup was 10 years (range 1 to 19). Of the 70 patients 69 (98.5%) had no local recurrence and 68 (97%) survived free of metastasis. Overall survival was 93%. Two patients died of metastatic kidney cancer and 3 died of other causes. Average tumor size was 3 cm. and most lesions (94%) were stage T1 or T2.Conclusions: Partial nephrectomy achieves the long-term local control and cure of small renal tumors in patients with a normal contralateral kidney.
Ground-Water Turbidity Resulting from Artificial Recharge

Turbid ground water is rarely observed in domestic or public supply aquifers. At the Leaky Acres Recharge Facility at Fresno, California, water of low salinity ( 5 FTU). Two months later, some peripheral domestic wells also began to become turbid. After two more recharge periods (1974 and 1975), turbidity at 10 observation wells beneath Leaky Acres averaged 18 FTU and salinity averaged 74/μmhos/cm. By this time, ground-water turbidity in peripheral wells near Leaky Acres had decreased to <0.5 FTU. This turbidity was traced to poorly-crystallized and extremely fine colloids, which have leached from the surface soils because of the low salinity of the recharge water. Laboratory and field studies showed that gypsum application will reverse the phenomena, but such treatment is uneconomical. This phenomenon is a transient one, and now turbidity outside the recharge area is insignificant from a water quality viewpoint. However, the magnitude of the mass of material in transit through the profile if stabilized through flocculation or sieving in soil pore space, could greatly change the water transmission and so recharge project performance. However, we have not yet noted this effect at Leaky Acres.
Management of Spitz nevi: A survey of dermatologists in the United States

Abstract Background: There is no consensus concerning management of Spitz nevi. Objective: This study was carried out to ascertain how dermatologists manage Spitz nevi. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 997 fellows of the American Academy of Dermatology, 284 pediatric dermatologists, and 27 directors of pigmented-lesion clinics. The results are based on the 381 questionnaires returned. Results: The vast majority of responding dermatologists (93%) recommend biopsies of suspected Spitz nevi. Of this group, 43% recommend total biopsies and 55% recommend partial biopsies; 2% would recommend either total or partial biopsies, depending on the clinical situation. Sixty-nine percent of physicians would completely excise a lesion that was histologically diagnosed as an incompletely removed Spitz nevus. Seventy percent of general dermatologists and 80% of pediatric dermatologists would recommend excision with a 1- to 2-mm margin of normal-appearing skin around a Spitz nevus. Nine percent of general dermatologists would recommend margins of 4 mm or more; however, all pediatric dermatologists surveyed would recommend margins less than 4 mm. Physicians were less likely to monitor patients whose Spitz nevi were completely removed. Three fourths (74%) of respondents believe Spitz nevi are entirely benign, 4% believe they are precursors to melanoma, and 22% are not sure. Seven percent of general dermatologists and 4% of pediatric dermatologists have seen metastatic melanomas arise at sites of lesions initially diagnosed histologically as Spitz nevi; 40% of pigmented-lesion clinic directors have seen such lesions. Conclusions: We believe that the lack of consensus, both in our survey and in the medical literature, reflects to some extent the lack of certainty in the histologic differentiation of Spitz nevi from melanomas and that concern about melanoma influences management. At the pigmented-lesion clinic of the New York University Skin and Cancer Unit, because of this concern about melanoma, it is usually recommended that Spitz nevi be completely excised. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;47:224-30.)
Accelerated crack growth of nanoporous low-k glasses in CMP slurry environments

Considerable efforts have been directed at integrating nanoporous low dielectric constant (LKD) materials into the interconnect structures of high-density integrated circuits. The reliable fabrication of devices containing these fragile materials is, however, a significant technological challenge due to their high propensity for mechanical failure during all levels of processing and subsequent packaging operations in which they are subjected to mechanical loads in the presence of aggressive aqueous environments, such as chemical mechanical planarization (CMP). Here we demonstrate the significant effect of CMP solution chemistry on interfacial adhesion and crack growth rates in nanoporous LKD thin-films as well as lithographically patterned structures containing copper and LKDs. A new mechanism of accelerated cracking in H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ environments is revealed.
Developmental Psychology and the Biophilia Hypothesis: Children's Affiliation with Nature

A venturesome hypothesis has been put forth by Wilson (1984), Kellert (1996), and others and has been receiving increasing support. The hypothesis asserts the existence of biophilia, a fundamental, genetically based human need and propensity to affiliate with other living organisms. A review of the biophilia literature sets into motion three overarching concerns. One focuses on the genetic basis of biophilia. A second focuses on how to understand seemingly negative affiliations with nature within the biophilic framework. A third focuses on the quality of supporting evidence and whether the biophilia hypothesis can be disconfirmed. Through this critical examination, biophilia emerges as a valuable interdisciplinary framework for investigating the human affiliation with nature. Yet it is clearly a nascent framework, and some of its potential lies in charting a stronger ontogenetic course. Toward this end, in the second half of this article a structural‐developmental approach is framed for investigating biophilia. Support for this approach is provided by discussing the author’s recent studies—conducted in the United States and in the Brazilian Amazon—on children’s environmental reasoning and values. © 1997 Academic Press
Reconsider Broadcast Packet Reception Rates in One-Dimensional MANETs

In this paper, a new analytic model is built to derive a closed-form expression of broadcast packet reception rates (PRRs) in IEEE 802.11 based one-dimensional (1-D) mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs), which is the extension of 1-D MANET analytical model in [7]. Comparing with the existing models, the proposed model accounts for the impact of more factors and network parameters on PRRs such as non-saturated packet arrival in each mobile node, varied transmission, carrier sensing, and interference ranges, distances of receivers to the sender, and collisions caused by concurrent transmissions. As an example, the proposed model is applied to evaluate a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) safety-related service on a highway. Based on the simulation results, some important observations to the design and analysis of such wireless communication networks are provided.
Advanced simulation, battle managers, and visualization

Advanced modeling, visualization, and simulation is of growing utility for the military, e.g., the Navy and Marine Corps. Potential uses are for situational awareness displays, analysis, assessment, doctrine, mission support, rehearsal and replay, tactics, and training. Advanced technology platforms can be assessed using simulation. New sensors and systems can be evaluated. A battle or simulation manager (BM or SM) is a flexible piece of software that commands, controls, and displays the simulation of a group of objects. It is an environment or toolkit for analysis, assessment, training, and wargaming. Current doctrine and tactics can be tested and missions planned with this type of software. The objects (military platforms) propagate and interact in space over the course of time through well-defined object-oriented processes. Features of a good BM include graphical two and three dimensional displays, database access, sensor and weapon models, and networking (via DIS or Distributed Interactive Simulation). A BM should be easy to use, fast, useful to the user, readily available, and widely used. It should be portable cross computer platforms. Today, there is a wide assortment of BMs, none of which satisfies these criteria.
Power-controlled data prefetching/caching in wireless packet networks

We investigate efficient schemes for data communication from a server to a mobile terminal over a wireless channel of fluctuating quality. A user requests to access various data items on the terminal. If a requested item is found in the local terminal buffer or cache, no access delay is incurred. If not, it is downloaded from the server and the user incurs a delay cost until it becomes locally available. Moreover, a power cost is incurred to transmit the data item at a selected power level over the wireless link. To lower both the average delay and power costs, the system may prefetch data items and predictively cache them on the terminal - especially during link quality 'highs' - in anticipation of future user requests. The goal is to minimize the overall delay and power cost, by judiciously choosing which data item to fetch and what power level to use, given the current user, buffer, and channel states. We develop a modeling framework - based on controlled Markov chains and dynamic programming - capturing the essential performance tradeoffs in the system and allowing computation of optimal decisions on items to (pre)fetch and power levels to use. To cope with emerging complexities, we then design efficient heuristics, whose simulation analysis demonstrates substantial performance gains over standard approaches.
Seminal Vesicle Aspiration of Fertile Men

AbstractPurpose: Whether sperm normally reside in the seminal vesicles of fertile men without ejaculatory duct obstruction, and the effect of duration of sexual abstinence on results of seminal vesicle aspiration were determined.Materials and Methods: Bilateral seminal vesicle aspiration was performed on 12 fertile volunteers under transrectal ultrasound guidance with randomization according to 0 and 5 days of abstinence. Seminal vesicle were examined microscopically for number and motility of sperm. A positive aspirate was defined as greater than 3 sperm per high power microscopic field.Results: Duration of abstinence had a significant effect on outcome of seminal vesicle aspiration in fertile volunteers. No volunteer with 0 days of abstinence had a positive aspirate from either seminal vesicle, whereas a third of those with 5 days of abstinence had at least 1 positive seminal vesicle aspirate.Conclusions: Significant numbers of sperm are not normally found in the seminal vesicles of fertile men immediat...
Transient Flat-Band Voltage Shifts Following High Voltage Stressing of Thin Oxides

It has been shown that the transient decay of the current after removal of a high voltage stressing pulse changed from an exponential RC time constant decay to a very long decay that had a 1/t time dependence[1]. During these long transients the flat-band voltages of the capacitors changed as the traps inside the oxides discharged. The discharge of both positive and negative changes near the silicon-oxide interface have been measured using QSCV measurements. In this paper the transient shifts in the flat-band voltages due to the discharging of stress generated traps in the oxide will be described.
A low power current steering digital to analog converter in 0.18 Micron CMOS

This paper discusses a number of circuit techniques which address the DC and AC distortion performance of a low power current steering digital-to-analog converter design. The design provides 14 bit resolution and 200 MSPS conversion rate in a 1P4M 0.18 micron CMOS process, with optional 3.3 volt compatible devices, while operating over a wide 3.6 to 1.8 volt supply range. A power dissipation/conversion rate figure of merit of as low as 0.17 mW/MSPS was achieved for 1.8V operation and as low as 0.28 mW/MSPS at 3.3V. SFDR of 70 dB is achieved at a 50 MHz output frequency.
Native Religions and Cultures of North America: Anthropology of the Sacred

Native Religions and Cultures of North America: Anthropology of the Sacred. Lawrence E. Sullivan. ed. New York: Continuum, 2000. 249 pp.
Turn Me On, Dead Media: A Backward Look at the Re-enchantment of an Old Medium

In an era of CD-Rs and MP3 sound files, the vinyl phonograph record has attained iconic status as the quintessential old analog media form. An analysis of the theory and practice of “backmasking” r...
Subset selection procedures for ΔP-superior populations

In some ranking and selection problems it is reasonable to consider any population which is inferior but sufficiently close to the best (t-th best) as acceptable. Under this assumption, this paper studies classes of procedures to meet two possible goals. A and B. Goal A is to select a subset which contains only good populations, while Goal B is of a screening nature and requires selection of a subset of size not exceeding m (1 ≤ m ≤ k) and containing at least one good population. In each case results loading to the determination of the sample size required to attain the goals above with prespecified probability are obtained. Properties of the procedures are discussed.
The role of enteric bacteria in the anerobic metabolism of 5‐aminosalicylate

The primary (and inactive) enteric metabolite of 5-aminosalicylate is N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylate. Previous studies have demonstrated acetylation of this anti-inflammatory agent by intestinal and bacterial homogenates. To assess the contribution of anaerobic bacteria to the N-acetylation in vivo, we have measured the production of N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylate in anaerobic microculture. Our results indicate that enteric bacteria play a minor role in N-acetylation, but may contribute to the production of other metabolites of pharmacologic and toxicological interest.
Scanning tunneling microscopy of microtubules

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was used to image neuronal microtubules, protein polymers which may be capable of information processing. Isolated microtubules fixed in 0.1% glutaraldehyde in reassembly buffer containing 0.8 M glycerol were imaged in air on a graphite substrate. STM probing showed structures approximately 25 nm in width, consisting of longitudinal filaments of about 4 nm width. These images match electron micrographs of microtubules and their component protofilaments. >
Minimal Functions and Physiological Conditions Required for Growth of Salmonella enterica on Ethanolamine in the Absence of the Metabolosome

During growth on ethanolamine, Salmonella enterica synthesizes a multimolecular structure that mimics the carboxysome used by some photosynthetic bacteria to fix CO2. In S. enterica, this carboxysome-like structure (hereafter referred to as the ethanolamine metabolosome) is thought to contain the enzymatic machinery needed to metabolize ethanolamine into acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA). Analysis of the growth behavior of mutant strains of S. enterica lacking specific functions encoded by the 17-gene ethanolamine utilization (eut) operon established the minimal biochemical functions needed by this bacterium to use ethanolamine as a source of carbon and energy. The data obtained support the conclusion that the ethanolamine ammnonia-lyase (EAL) enzyme (encoded by the eutBC genes) and coenzyme B12 are necessary and sufficient to grow on ethanolamine. We propose that the EutD phosphotransacetylase and EutG alcohol dehydrogenase are important to maintain metabolic balance. Glutathione (GSH) had a strong positive effect that compensated for the lack of the EAL reactivase EutA protein under aerobic growth on ethanolamine. Neither GSH nor EutA was needed during growth on ethanolamine under reduced-oxygen conditions. GSH also stimulated growth of a strain lacking the acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (EutE) enzyme. The role of GSH in ethanolamine catabolism is complex and requires further investigation. Our data show that the ethanolamine metabolosome is not involved in the biochemistry of ethanolamine catabolism. We propose the metabolosome is needed to concentrate low levels of ethanolamine catabolic enzymes, to keep the level of toxic acetaldehyde low, to generate enough acetyl-CoA to support cell growth, and to maintain a pool of free CoA.
Asymptotic strip boundary condition in the finite difference time domain method

The asymptotic strip boundary condition (ASBC) is proposed to treat finite extent periodic structures of strips loading dielectric materials in the finite-difference time-domain method. The ASBC is an anisotropic averaging type of boundary condition that eliminates the needs for modeling the details of the periodic strips. The ASBC approach has been found to be accurate in its modeling when the number of strips is around ten per wavelength. A new averaging expression is applied on the interface between the dielectric surface loaded with strips and the free space by introducing the information related to the ratio of the spacing between strips to the period (w/p). Such an expression improved the accuracy of the results. Computed results were accurate in its modeling as compared to detailed simulations, which demonstrates the validity of the asymptotic approximations. Lastly, a major improvement in the computation time is achieved when using the ASBC to model structures that have a large number of strips per wavelength. Several examples are presented for scattering, radiations, and internal problem of waveguide.
Real-time multi-view human action recognition using a wireless camera network

In this paper, we describe how information obtained from multiple views using a network of cameras can be effectively combined to yield a reliable and fast human action recognition system. We describe a score-based fusion technique for combining information from multiple cameras that can handle arbitrary orientation of the subject with respect to the cameras. Our fusion technique does not rely on a symmetric deployment of the cameras and does not require that camera network deployment configuration be preserved between training and testing phases. To classify human actions, we use motion information characterized by the spatio-temporal shape of a human silhouette over time. By relying on feature vectors that are relatively easy to compute, our technique lends itself to an efficient distributed implementation while maintaining a high frame capture rate. We evaluate the performance of our system under different camera densities and view availabilities. Finally, we demonstrate the performance of our system in an online setting where the camera network is used to identify human actions as they are being performed.
Forming a story: The health benefits of narrative

Writing about important personal experiences in an emotional way for as little as 15 minutes over the course of three days brings about improvements in mental and physical health. This finding has been replicated across age, gender, culture, social class, and personality type. Using a text-analysis computer program, it was discovered that those who benefit maximally from writing tend to use a high number of positive-emotion words, a moderate amount of negative-emotion words, and increase their use of cognitive words over the days of writing. These findings suggest that the formation of a narrative is critical and is an indicator of good mental and physical health. Ongoing studies suggest that writing serves the function of organizing complex emotional experiences. Implications for these findings for psychotherapy are briefly discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 55: 1243–1254, 1999.
Survival of Stored-Product Insect Natural Enemies in Spinosad-Treated Wheat

Abstract The survival of stored product insect natural enemies in wheat treated with spinosad was investigated in laboratory and pilot scale experiments. The predator Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter), the warehouse pirate bug, and the parasitoids Habrobracon hebetor (Say), Theocolax elegans (Westwood), and Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) were exposed to wheat treated with aliquots of water or spinosad at 0.05–1 mg ([AI])/kg. X. flavipes was the only species that survived (92% survival) in spinosad-treated wheat at 1 mg/kg. X. flavipes suppressed populations of immature Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), the red flour beetle, by nearly 90% compared with a water-treated control, but 100% suppression of immatures was achieved in wheat receiving spinosad or spinosad + X. flavipes treatments. A 3-mo pilot scale experiment to evaluate T. castaneum suppression in drums holding 163.3 kg of wheat showed that the pest populations increased throughout the study in the control treatment, but peaked after 1 mo in the X. flav...