cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture in the Treatment of Cancer-Related Psychological Symptoms

Acupuncture is being adopted by cancer patients for a wide range of cancer-related symptoms including highly prevalent psychological symptoms like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and impairment in quality of life. Pharmacological treatment of prevalent symptoms like anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance can contribute to the high chemical burden already carried by cancer patients, creating additional side effects. As a result, patients and providers alike are interested in evidence-based nonpharmacologic alternatives like acupuncture for these symptoms. This article reviews the current literature (January 2000 through April 2013) for acupuncture in cancer-related psychological symptoms with attention to both efficacy and acupuncture-specific methodology. All published studies that met our review criteria demonstrate a positive signal for acupuncture for the treatment of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and for improving quality of life with most results showing statistical significance. However, there are only a handful of acupuncture studies that were specifically designed to evaluate depression, sleep disturbance, and quality of life as primary outcomes, and no studies were found that looked at anxiety as a primary outcome in this population. Published studies in cancer patients and survivors show that acupuncture treatment is not only safe but also more acceptable with fewer side effects than standard of care pharmacological treatments like antidepressants. Finally, there is wide variability in both the implementation and reporting of acupuncture methods in the literature, with only 2 of 12 studies reporting full details of acupuncture methods as outlined in the revised Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture guidelines, published in 2010 and providing an essential framework for the reporting of acupuncture methodology. This lack of methodological detail affects outcomes, generalizability, and validity of research involving acupuncture. Reasons for ongoing challenges in the development of high-quality acupuncture trials are discussed. In conclusion, results are encouraging for the development of randomized trials to directly evaluate the therapeutic impact of acupuncture in cancer-related psychological symptoms, including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and quality of life, but attention to acupuncture methodological specific challenges in the development of high-quality research is necessary.
Enthalpies of absorption of hydrogen sulfide in aqueous methyldiethanolamine solutions

An isothermal flow calorimeter was used to measure the enthalpies of absorption of hydrogen sulfide in aqueous 1.7, 3.0 and 4.3 M methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) solutions. The experimental temperature and pressure ranges were 299.8–399.8 K and 0.087–1.12 MPa respectively. The calorimetric data were found to be useful in determining the equilibrium concentrations of H2S in the MDEA solutions. Both enthalpy of absorption and equilibrium concentration data for H2S-aqueous MDEA systems are reported. The enthalpy of absorption of H2S in aqueous MDEA solutions was found to be independent of pressure, and linearly dependent upon the temperature and concentration. An equation is given for predicting the enthalpy of absorption over the temperature, pressure, and concentration ranges investigated.
Degradation Study of a Photographic Developer to Determine Shelf Life

The reliability of some products is related to performance deterioration or degradation rather than outright all-or-none failures. Examples include proprietary chemical mixtures, pharmaceuticals, photographic films and prints, and foodstuffs. After a ce..
Modeling the underlying dynamics of the spread of crime.

The spread of crime is a complex, dynamic process that calls for a systems level approach. Here, we build and analyze a series of dynamical systems models of the spread of crime, imprisonment and recidivism, using only abstract transition parameters. To find the general patterns among these parameters—patterns that are independent of the underlying particulars—we compute analytic expressions for the equilibria and for the tipping points between high-crime and low-crime equilibria in these models. We use these expressions to examine, in particular, the effects of longer prison terms and of increased incarceration rates on the prevalence of crime, with a follow-up analysis on the effects of a Three-Strike Policy.
SCHAUDER DECOMPOSITIONS AND COMPLETENESS

00 It x = S Qn x - If» m addition, the projections P n = £ Q,- are equicontinuous, then n = 1 «= 1 (£n)^°=1 is said to be an equi-Schauder decomposition of E. It is obvious that a Schauder basis is equivalent to a Schauder decomposition in which each subspace is one-dimensional, and that it is equi-Schauder if and only if the corresponding decomposition is equi-Schauder. For more information on Schauder decompositions see, for example [2 and 3]. In this paper, it will be shown that if E is locally convex and possesses an equiSchauder decomposition, the properties of sequential completeness, quasicompleteness or completeness of E may be related very simply to the properties of the decomposition; and that if £ possesses an equi-Schauder basis, these three types of completeness are equivalent. If (£„)*=! is a Schauder decomposition of E, the sequences ( polar topology on E. Suppose (En)™=1 is an equi-Schauder decomposition for (E, T) and let (xa)a eAbe a x-Cauchy net on E such that for each n (Qn xa)a e A converges. Then: (i) (lim Pn xa)"-i ' s a ?-Cauchy sequence. a
Demography of the everglade kite: Implications for population management

Abstract Simple deterministic and stochastic population models are used to examine the demographic patterns of the Everglade Kite population. These efforts are directed at making inferences about the evolution of the kite life-history pattern, and at providing guidelines for the management of the kite population. The Everglade Kite has apparently evolved high adult survival rates, in partial response to a variable reproductive output. Proper management of this population should include the protection of adults from catastrophic mortality sources, and the provision of adequate water-levels to ensure reproductive success.
Control of visibility in the interference of signal photons by delays imposed on the idler photons

Further interference experiments have been carried out with the two signal beams emitted from two coherently pumped parametric down-converters when the two idler beams are aligned. Because of the quantum entanglement between signal and idler photons produced in the down-conversion, it is found that the visibility of the interference of signal photons can be controlled by insertion of differential time delays between the idler photons.
Reduction of a Dolly Varden Population and Macrobenthos after Removal of Logging Debris

Abstract Logging debris resident for five or more years in small streams of southeastern Alaska is frequently removed to improve salmonid habitat. This practice was evaluated for its effects on juvenile anadromous Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma and macrobenthos populations in a small spring-fed stream during 1973–1981. Debris, consisting of limbs, needles, and fragmented logs, was removed by hand from the entire stream in July 1976. The surface area, number, and size of pools was reduced thereafter, and the water velocity increased. Macrobenthos density and invertebrate drift decreased 60–90% immediately after debris removal but returned to pretreatment levels in 1977. The Dolly Varden population decreased from 900 to less than 100 fish by 1978 and then fluctuated sharply between late 1978 and 1981. After 1978, Dolly Varden averaged 27 mm less in length and their biomass decreased from 12.5 to 3.9 g/m2. Decrease in fish standing crop occurred in two stages: (1) an initial loss of larger fish due to reduced...
S. aureus isolation from the lesions, the hands, and the anterior nares of patients with atopic dermatitis.

Staphylococcus aureus colonization is common in atopic dermatitis (AD) and can exacerbate the disease. Additionally, some evidence shows that patients with AD may act as reservoirs for S. aureus transmission to others. This study compared S. aureus colonization in AD patients and their caregivers with control patients and their caregivers. Quantitative cultures were obtained from the lesions, clinically normal skin, hands, and anterior nares of 100 patients with AD, 100 controls with other cutaneous disorders, and 200 caregivers. AD patients had a significantly greater carriage of S. aureus from lesional and clinically normal skin as well as the hand. Significant increases in carriage of S. aureus were found in the anterior nares and hands of caregivers of AD patients compared with control caregivers. Topical corticosteroid use did not affect recovery of S. aureus. There was a significant correlation between recovery of S. aureus from lesional skin and recovery from the anterior nares (p = .002) and hands (p < .0001). These findings suggest that the anterior nares and the hands may be important reservoirs and vectors for transmission of S. aureus to lesional skin and to close contacts of these patients.
A comparison of dynamic security indices based on direct methods

Abstract This paper presents a comparison of direct methods for transient stability assessment. The emphasis is on stability criteria based on Lyapunov's direct method. The comparison is made by studying the similarities and differences in the regions of attraction which the direct methods define. The region of attraction is characterized in terms of a performance index (PI) and a threshold value (TH). This paper reformulates the various Lyapunov energy functions and stability criteria for the direct methods proposed in the literature in a unified mathematical notation. Specifically, each energy function is reformulated in terms of a general form of the PI and each type of stability criterion is restated in terms of a threshold value, TH. Comparison tables are presented to identify the similarities and differences in the PI parameters, threshold values and dynamic models. These tables are used to show the correctness of several relationships among the direct methods mentioned in the literature and to derive new relationships for the similarities and differences between the direct methods.
Altered metabolic incorporation of fucose and leucine into PNS myelin of 25-week-old diabetic (C57BL/Ks [db/db]) mice: effects of untreated diabetes on nerve metabolism.

Sciatic nerves of 25-week-old genetically diabetic (C57BL/Ks 〈db/db〉) mice and their litter-mate controls were removed, and their metabolic incorporation of [3H]fucose and [14C]leucine into myelin was studied in vitro. Untreated diabetic animals showed significant increases (p<0.05) in the fucose/leucine incorporation into myelin when compared to values found for their litter-mates. These results correlated well with previous experiments performed on alloxan or streptozotocindiabetic rats and thus show the in vitro incubation procedure to be a good indicator of altered metabolic conditions in peripheral nerves due to diabetes mellitus. The resulting ratio increases seen in diabetic animals is at variance with the decrease in ratios found in animals undergoing typical Wallerian degeneration. These results suggest that different metabolic processes operate in untreated diabetics than in normals or in those undergoing other degenerative nerve processes.
Increasing Numbers of Foreign Students But a Lack of Coherent National Policy

Abstract The Overseas Student Question edited by Peter Williams. Exeter, New Hampshire: Heineman Educational Books, 1982, 320 pages, $19.50 paperback.
FORMULATION AND APPLICATION OF THE FINITE-DIFFERENCE TIME-DOMAIN METHOD FOR THE ANALYSIS OF AXIALLY SYMMETRIC DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL ELEMENTS

We formulate and apply an efficient finite-difference time-domain algorithm to the analysis of axially symmetric diffractive optical elements. We discuss aspects relating to minimizing numerical dispersion in the incident field, application of absorbing boundary conditions in the radial direction, convergence to a steady state, and propagation of the steady-state electromagnetic fields from the finite-difference time-domain region to the plane of interest. Incorporation of these aspects into a single finite-difference time-domain algorithm results in an extremely efficient and robust method for diffractive optical element analysis. Application to the analysis of subwavelength and multilevel lenses, both with and without loss, for focusing planar and Gaussian beams is presented.
Thermal emittance and response time of a cesium antimonide photocathode

Measurements of the intrinsic emittance and response time of a Cs3Sb photocathode are presented. The emittance is obtained with a solenoid scan technique using a high voltage dc photoemission gun. Photoemission response time is evaluated using a RF deflecting cavity synchronized to a picosecond laser pulse train. We find that Cs3Sb has both small mean transverse energy, 160 ± 10 meV at 532 nm laser wavelength, and a prompt response time (below the resolution of our measurement) making it a suitable material for high brightness electron photoinjectors.
The Problem of Problem Representation: The Summit's Conception of Student

Policy Statement ("Summit") is familiar. Like other education policy documents (e.g., A Nation at Risk, Prisoners of Time, Goals 2000), the Summit oversimplifies the dynamics of student achievement, education, democracy, and the global marketplace while it overpromises: Increases in student academic performance today will ensure the nation a flourishing future. Summit authors may appear naive and thus harmless; however, the mischief generated by naivete-false or otherwise-is anything but harmless (May, 1972). Such documents undermine the credibility of the public school and its participants, who are held accountable for failure to achieve mandated reforms.
Giving Policy Some Teeth: Routes To Reducing Disparities In Oral Health

Despite improvements in oral health status and clear links between oral and systemic health, oral health is not accorded the same importance in health care policy as is general health. This review of oral health disparities over the life span documents the results of this inequity. Dental concerns and unmet dental treatment needs, especially among vulnerable populations, are not well addressed in oral health policies. We offer examples of discrepancies between policy and needs and examples of successful interventions that integrate oral health care with informed policy.
TU‐A‐BRB‐07: VMAT and IMRT: The Best of Both Worlds

Purpose: To introduce a hybrid VMAT/IMRT optimization strategy that combines the delivery efficiency of VMAT with the superior intensity modulation possible with IMRT. Methods: A beamlet‐based inverse planning system was enhanced to combine the advantages of VMAT and IMRT into one comprehensive system. In the hybrid system, IMRT plans are created with many beams and optimized to convergence, taking note of the beam intensity map variation (BIMV) at each angle. Second, all beams are converted to VMAT segments and optimized for a set number of cycles. Then, the previous BIMV values and current cost function gradients with respect to the beamlets are used to define a gradient modulation factor (GMF). Beams with the highest GMF are converted from segments to beamlets and optimization proceeds with the mixed variable set until convergence or until additional beams are selected for conversion. This strategy was characterized on phantom and clinical cases. Comparisons were made between the hybrid plans, standard IMRT plans, and VMAT plans. Results: In a simple phantom, a hybrid VMAT/IMRT plan with 3 converted beams achieved superior dosimetric quality and required 30% fewer MU compared to 7‐beam IMRT. The hybrid plan also had a 20% reduction in final cost compared to VMAT. In a pancreas case, a 3 converted beam hybrid plan had improved and equivalent dosimetric quality compared to VMAT and 7‐beam IMRT, respectively. The hybrid and VMAT plans were more delivery efficient than IMRT. Conclusion: A hybrid VMAT/IMRT strategy was implemented to find the best compromise between gantry‐angle and intensity‐based degrees of freedom. This optimization method will allow patients to be simultaneously planned for dosimetric quality and delivery efficiency without switching between delivery techniques. Phantom and clinical examples suggest that the conversion of only 3 VMAT segments to modulated beams results in a good combination of quality and efficiency. Supported by NIH‐P01‐CA59827
The eating paradox: How we tolerate food.

It is hypothesized that food, which is certainly a necessary commodity with powerful positive reinforcing qualities, also provides a potential threat to organisms, including humans. The act of eating, although necessary for the provision of energy, is a particularly disruptive event in a homeostatic sense. Just as humans learn responses to help them tolerate the administration of dangerous drugs, so do they learn to make anticipatory responses that help minimize the impact of meals on the body, to limit the amount of food consumed within any individual meal, to recruit several parts of the protective stress-response system while meals are being processed, and to limit postprandial behaviors so as to minimize the possibility of disrupting homeostatic systems even more. It is further hypothesized that defenses against eating too much may become activated inappropriately and contribute to clinical problems such as reactive hypoglycemia.
The identification of rhenium in tungsten-rhenium alloys using the field-ion microscope

Abstract A series of tungsten—rhenium solid solution alloys have been examined using a helium field-ion microscope. The micrographs show that during field evaporation of these alloys the rhenium atoms are less readily removed by field evaporation and remain on the surface. The effect is most noticeable on the {011} net planes and explains the poor perfection of the field-evaporated end-form seen in the higher rhenium content tungsten-rhenium solid sloution alloys.
Anti-thyroid thioureylenes in the treatment of psoriasis

Abstract Psoriasis is a common skin disorder associated with significant morbidity. Many agents are used in the medical management of this debilitating condition with the newer anti-cytokine agents being the most recent addition to the pharmacological armamentarium to battle the disorder. Cost concerns are very important with the newer “biologic” treatments costing in excess of 10,000 US dollars annually. The need for cheaper, orally administered agents is therefore imperative. This paper addresses the potential role of anti-thyroid thioureylenes, propylthiouracil and methimazole, in the treatment of psoriasis and reviews the possible mechanism of action of these drugs in this disorder. It is hypothesized that the beneficial effect of anti-thyroid thioureylenes in psoriasis is linked to their effect as anti-proliferative agents as reflected by significant decrease in markers of cellular proliferation such as proliferative cell nuclear antigen in biopsy specimens after treatment with these drugs. Propylthiouracil has been shown to bind to the hepatic T 3 receptor and it is possible that propylthiouracil (6- n -propyl-2-thiouracil) binding to the ligand-binding site normally occupied by T 3 impairs transcription by inactivating the effect of T 3 as well as by squelching retinoic X receptor heterodimer formation with other receptors of the steroid receptor superfamily such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, retinoic acid receptor and vitamin D receptors.
Late Wisconsin groundwater discharge environments of the southwestern Indian Springs Valley, southern Nevada

Badland exposures in the Indian Springs Valley, southern Nevada, contain evidence of formerly widespread spring and seep discharge. The stratigraphic position and appearance of most of these deposits suggests correlation with late Wisconsin (30,000 to ca. 10,000 yr B.P.) marsh sediments in nearby Las Vegas Valley. Previously, all these deposits have been loosely described as lacustrine because of the presence of extensive green mudstones associated with aquatic mollusks. However, this association also typifies modern groundwater discharge environments in many basins of northeast Nevada such as the Steptoe Valley, basins often without hydrographic closure. Such analogs best explain the origin of late Wisconsin fine-grained deposits in the unclosed southwestern arm of the Indian Springs Valley. Key features of these depositional systems are the lack of shoreline deposits, the presence of a broad belt of subaerially deposited plae-brown silts surrounding spring, “wet meadow,” and marsh deposits, and the intermixture of terrestrial and aquatic mollusks in most horizons where mollusks occur.
Long insert whole genome sequencing for copy number variant and translocation detection

As next-generation sequencing continues to have an expanding presence in the clinic, the identification of the most cost-effective and robust strategy for identifying copy number changes and translocations in tumor genomes is needed. We hypothesized that performing shallow whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 900–1000-bp inserts (long insert WGS, LI-WGS) improves our ability to detect these events, compared with shallow WGS of 300–400-bp inserts. A priori analyses show that LI-WGS requires less sequencing compared with short insert WGS to achieve a target physical coverage, and that LI-WGS requires less sequence coverage to detect a heterozygous event with a power of 0.99. We thus developed an LI-WGS library preparation protocol based off of Illumina’s WGS library preparation protocol and illustrate the feasibility of performing LI-WGS. We additionally applied LI-WGS to three separate tumor/normal DNA pairs collected from patients diagnosed with different cancers to demonstrate our application of LI-WGS on actual patient samples for identification of somatic copy number alterations and translocations. With the evolution of sequencing technologies and bioinformatics analyses, we show that modifications to current approaches may improve our ability to interrogate cancer genomes.
The preparation and reactions of the azides of fac-Mn(CO)3(P-P)N3. The X-ray crystal structures of fac-[Mn(CO)3(P-P)(OH2)]BF4, fac-Mn(CO)3(P-P)() [(P-P)=dppe and depe], and fac-[Mn(CO)3(depe)(PPh3)]BF4

Abstract A simple three-step, high-yield synthesis of the titled azides from Mn2(CO)10 and P-P is described involving the intermediate aqua complexes, fac-[Mn(CO)3(P-P)(H2O)]BF4, 3a,b. The aqua ligand is very labile; it is easily exchanged for D2O, PPh3, and NO2−. Crystal structures of the two titled aqua complexes and fac-[Mn(CO)3(depe)(PPh3)]BF4, 6a, are reported. The aqua complexes react instantaneously with aqueous NaN3 to give quantitative yields of the corresponding covalent azides which undergo the expected 1,3-dipolar additions with CF3CN to give the corresponding tetrazoles whose crystal structures are also reported.
Phase velocities of Rayleigh waves across the East Pacific Rise

Abstract The phase velocity of Rayleigh waves across part of the Pacific Ocean has been measured by a modification of the single-station technique. A phase velocity curve with an unusual reversed slope has been obtained for a line crossing the East Pacific Rise. The class of inverse structures consistent with these observations to within 0.05 km/sec over the period range includes structures with extremely low channel velocities.
Constant energy partitioning in the photoionization of NO and O2

Published data on the photoelectron spectra of NO and O2 are analyzed, and the energy distributions are found to have averages proportional to the available energy. Hence, vibration takes a constant fraction of the energy. Average distributions are found as a function of the fraction of available energy.
New Complexity in Differentiating Stem Cells Toward Hepatic and Pancreatic Fates

The differentiation of hepatic and pancreatic progenitor cells during embryogenesis is determined by inductive factors secreted by neighboring cells. These factors stimulate and repress the expression of key regulatory genes in progenitor cells, thereby establishing unique genetic programs that determine cell fate. The signaling network that controls liver and pancreas development is highly dynamic with respect to both concentration and timing of exposure to several key inductive factors. Not only do large changes occur within short time frames, multiple signaling pathways also converge on the same target genes. Given the intense effort under way to generate certain differentiated cell types from both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, greater understanding of how different inductive signals interact with each other may be essential for the eventual success of such efforts.
Biosynthesis and Transport of the Lantibiotic Mutacin 1140 Produced by Streptococcus mutans

Lantibiotics are ribosomally synthesized peptide antibiotics composed of an N-terminal leader peptide that is cleaved to yield the active antibacterial peptide. Significant advancements in molecular tools that promote the study of lantibiotic biosynthesis can be used in Streptococcus mutans. Herein, we further our understanding of leader peptide sequence and core peptide structural requirements for the biosynthesis and transport of the lantibiotic mutacin 1140. Our study on mutacin 1140 biosynthesis shows a dedicated secondary cleavage site within the leader peptide and the dependency of transport on core peptide posttranslational modifications (PTMs). The secondary cleavage site on the leader peptide is found at the −9 position, and secondary cleavage occurs before the core peptide is transported out of the cell. The coordinated cleavage at the −9 position was absent in a lanT deletion strain, suggesting that the core peptide interaction with the LanT transporter enables uniform cleavage at the −9 position. Following transport, the LanP protease was found to be tolerant to a wide variety of amino acid substitutions at the primary leader peptide cleavage site, with the exception of arginine at the −1 position. Several leader and core peptide mutations produced core peptide variants that had intermediate stages of PTM enzyme modifications, supporting the concept that PTM enzyme modifications, secondary cleavage, and transport are occurring in a highly coordinated fashion. IMPORTANCE Mutacin 1140 belongs to the class I lantibiotic family of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs). The biosynthesis of mutacin 1140 is a highly efficient process which does not lead to a discernible level of production of partially modified core peptide variants. The products isolated from an extensive mutagenesis study on the leader and core peptides of mutacin 1140 show that the posttranslational modifications (PTMs) on the core peptide occur under a highly coordinated dynamic process. PTMs are dictated by the distance of the core peptide modifiable residues from PTM enzyme active sites. The formation of lanthionine rings aids in the formation of successive PTMs, as was observed in a peptide variant lacking a C-terminal decarboxylation.
On to the Real World: Gender and Self-Efficacy in Excel

Although there have been a number of studies of end-user software development tasks, few of them have considered gender issues for real end-user developers in real-world environments for end-user programming. In order to be trusted, the results of such laboratory studies must always be re-evaluated with fewer controls, more closely reflecting real-world conditions. Therefore, the research question in this paper is whether the results of a gender HCI controlled study generalize - to real-world end-user developers, in a real-world spreadsheet environment, using a real-world spreadsheet. Our findings are that the concepts revealed by the original laboratory study appear to be quite robust, being demonstrated in multiple ways in this real-world environment.
Quantifying spatial and temporal variability of spatially correlated disturbances

Abstract We propose three metrics to quantify the spatial and temporal structure of events within spatial dynamical systems. Although the original intention was to develop metrics to separately quantify spatial and temporal variability or clustering, our ultimate conclusion is that it is impossible to completely separate space and time. The spatial structure observed within a system depends on the temporal scale over which the measurements were taken, and the temporal structure observed depends on the spatial scale of measurements. We explore two variations of the basic contact process lattice population model where, instead of individual sites becoming empty independently, larger-scale disturbance events simultaneously affect several sites; these sites may either be arranged within a contiguous block, or sampled from within a larger region. We adjust the rate of such disturbance events in such a way that the per-site disturbance rate is held fixed. Changing the spatial scale of disturbances while controlling the per-site rate induces changes in the temporal structure of disturbances as well (depending on the spatial scale at which it is measured), because the larger-scale disturbances occur less frequently. Analytical results are obtained for our particular model using the hypergeometric distribution, but our spatiotemporal metrics can also be applied numerically to observations of events in simulations or field data to quantify the level of spatial and temporal variation in spatially structured systems. We find in our model that measurements of disturbances at intermediate spatial scales are most useful at indicating the success of the population; measurements at either the micro- (single sites) or macro- (entire landscape) scales miss fundamental features of the system. Although the two versions of our model go extinct for widely different scales of disturbances, our metrics have very similar critical values for population persistence among the two models.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection despite prior immunization with a recombinant envelope vaccine regimen

Abstract With efforts underway to develop a preventive human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine, it remains unclear which immune responses are sufficient to protect against infection and whether prior HIV-1 immunity can alter the subsequent course of HIV-1 infection. We investigated these issues in the context of a volunteer who received six HIV-1LAI envelope immunizations and 10 weeks thereafter acquired HIV-1 infection through a high-risk sexual exposure. In contrast to nonvaccinated acutely infected individuals, anamnestic HIV-1-specific B- and T-cell responses appeared within 3 weeks in this individual, and neutralizing antibody preceded CD8+ cytotoxic responses. Despite an asymptomatic course and an initial low level of detectable infectious virus, a progressive CD4+ cell decline and dysfunction occurred within 2 years. Although vaccination elicited immunity to HIV-1 envelope, which was recalled upon HIV-1 exposure, it was insufficient to prevent infection and subsequent immunodeficiency.
Focused peer review: the end game of peer review

Purpose The aim of this report is to describe the authors' experience with expanding the routine peer-review process to include misdiagnoses from all sources and the use of focused peer review (FPR) in faculty accountability and management. Methods A department-wide routine peer review was conducted. Each radiologist was assigned 12 cases per month. In addition, clinically reported errors, missed diagnoses discovered outside the routine peer-review process, were identified. Cases were scored from 1 to 5. The department quality office evaluated cases with scores of 3 and 4 from both sources for further processing with FPR, a multistep continuation of the peer-review process using a tracking document. Once initiated, FPR was processed by seeking comments from the division director and the interpreting radiologist. In some cases, FPR was discontinued before completion. Completed FPR documents were submitted to the department chair for administrative action, ranging from no action to termination. All FPR cases are presented at monthly departmental morbidity and mortality conferences. Results Routine peer review was done on 1,646 cases from a total of about 300,000 studies by 31 radiologists. Thirty-five cases from the two sources with scores of 3 and 4 were analyzed, 21 from the routine peer review and 14 clinically reported errors. The quality officer initiated 25 FPRs, rejecting 10 because errors were not considered significant. Further scrutiny lead to dropping 7 of the 12 routine and 2 of the 13 cases with clinically reported error. Sixteen FPRs were completed, 5 (31%) from routine peer review and 11 (69%) from clinically reported errors. For these 16 completed FPRs, management decisions were made by the department chair. Conclusions Processing of routine peer-review data together with cases of clinically reported error strengthens the peer-review process. Focused peer review can effectively contribute to the surveillance and management of faculty performance for improved patient care.
The undetectable and unprovable hardware trojan horse

We have developed an approach for automatic embedding of customizable hardware Trojan horses (HTHs) into an arbitrary finite state machine. The HTH can be used to facilitate a variety of security attacks and does not require any additional gates, because it is morphed into the specified design. Even after the HTH induces provable damage, one is not capable of proving that any malicious circuitry is embedded into the design. The main ramification of the developed HTH is that hardware and system techniques should move from HTH detection toward synthesis for trusted systems.
The Co-evolution of Design and User Requirements in Knowledge Management Systems: The Case of Patent Management Systems

Do the design requirements of a knowledge management system change over time? If so, how do these changes affect the users of the system? In this paper we explore the case of patent management systems (PAMS) to identify changes in information system design and user requirements over a 200 year period. Using a design science approach, we study 30 different implementations of PAMS across different design configurations and use scenarios. We find that while early forms of PAMS persist in updated system implementations, new design configurations co-evolved with new user requirements. We conclude by suggesting that this co-evolutionary path is not unique to PAMS and suggest that a similar co-evolution is driving the development of new World Wide Web technologies
Optimization of ultrafast chirped-pulse amplification with large nonlinearity

The mechanism of chirped-pulse amplification performance improvement with interplay of nonlinearity and third-order dispersion is successfully interpreted with a simple theoretical model. One can extract design parameters optimizing the output performance according to the model.
Mechanisms of radiation-induced skin injury and implications for future clinical trials.

AbstractPurpose: To summarize current knowledge regarding mechanisms of radiation-induced skin injury and medical countermeasures available to reduce its severity. Advances in radiation delivery using megavoltage and intensity modulated radiation therapy have permitted delivery of higher doses of radiation to well-defined tumor target tissues. Although skin is not a radiation dose-limiting tissue, injury to skin poses substantial morbidity risks in the curative treatment of cancers, especially when radiation is administered in combination with chemotherapy. In the continuum of radiation-induced skin injury, late effects are most severe being characterized by sub-cutaneous fibrosis and morbidity. The principal pathogenesis is initiated by depletion of acutely responding epithelial tissues and damage to vascular endothelial microvessels. Emerging concepts of radiation- induced skin injury suggest that the recovery of stromal stem cells and tissue repair remain chronically impaired by long-lived free radical...
Prospective comparison of unenhanced spiral computed tomography and intravenous urogram in the evaluation of acute flank pain

Objectives. To prospectively compare the diagnostic ability of unenhanced spiral computed tomography (NCCT) and intravenous urogram (IVU) in the evaluation of adults with acute flank pain. Methods. After giving informed consent, 106 adult patients with acute flank pain suspected of having urolithiasis underwent NCCT followed by IVU. Subsequent follow-up was scheduled within 72 hours in the Urology Clinic. Each NCCT was read by a single radiologist who was unaware of clinical history and IVU results. Each IVU was read by a different radiologist who was unaware of clinical history and NCCT results. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were determined for NCCT and IVU. Results. The diagnosis of ureterolithiasis was defined as unequivocal evidence of urolithiasis on either NCCT or IVP. Seventy-five of 106 patients evaluated were diagnosed with ureterolithiasis. Clinical follow-up was available in 74 (98%) stone patients and in 31 (100%) of 31 non-stone patients. In 72 of the 75 patients diagnosed with ureteral calculi, the NCCT made the diagnosis. IVU made the diagnosis in 65 of the 75 patients. Of the 31 patients without ureterolithiasis, the NCCT was negative in all cases. IVU was negative in 29 of the 31 cases. Unenhanced spiral CT was 96% sensitive and 100% specific (P <0.001). IVU was 87% sensitive and 94% specific (P <0.001). Compared with IVU, using the log odds ratio and Fisher’s exact test, NCCT was significantly better able to predict the presence of urolithiasis (P = 0.015). Conclusions. NCCT accurately diagnoses ureterolithiasis in patients presenting with acute flank pain. NCCT is significantly better than IVU in determining the presence of urolithiasis.
An Unstable Anion Stabilized in a Molecular Trap

The possibility of stabilizing an electronically metastable anion in a molecular trap is studied using ab initio electronic structure methods. The 2Πg N2- d-wave shape resonance state is used as a prototype for the metastable anion solute, and a pair of inwardly oriented LiCN molecules (NCLi···LiCN) is used as a prototypical trap. It is found that for the (NCLi···LiCN) trap at its local minimum geometry, the 2Πg state becomes electronically stable and is the ground state of the system. It is also found that, in this model trap, two other (excited) anionic states are bound (2Σg and 2Πu) one of which is a trap-bound state and the second of which is another stabilized resonance state. Moreover, calculations performed on traps of varying strength (which we alter by varying the trap size) show that the number of bound anionic states strongly depends on the trap's strength. Detailed numerical results are presented for the (NCLi···N⋮N···LiCN)- trap plus solute anion whose vertical electron detachment energy is 3...
A compact enhanced-bandwidth hybrid ring using a left-handed transmission line section

A novel compact enhanced-bandwidth hybrid ring using a left-banded (LH) transmission line (TL) is proposed. The LH-TL is used in replacement of the 270/spl deg/ TL of the conventional hybrid ring. The proposed hybrid shows a 54% bandwidth enhancement and 67% size reduction compared to the conventional hybrid at 2 GHz. The working principle is explained and the performances of the components are demonstrated by measurement results.
Hypothalamic growth hormone releasing activity (GRA): characterization by the in vitro rat pituitary and radioimmunoassay.

Growth Hormone-Releasing Activity (GRA) in extracts derived from rat and porcine hypothalami was investigated by incubation with rat hemi-pituitaries in vitro. Growth Hormone (GH) in the medium was determined by double antibody radioimmunoassay. After gel nitration in G-2S fine beaded Sephadex, peak GRA was found in fractions corresponding closely in exclusion volume to 14C-Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH), Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (Gn-RH), and Vasopressin. Immunoassay determinations of vasopressin in the most active rat fractions revealed concentrations of 0.76 and 8.6 milliunits/ml, insufficient to account for the observed stimulation of GH release. Control studies with Synthetic TRH and highly purified Gn-RH indicated that these neural hormones were not responsible for GH releasing activity. It is concluded that a growth hormone releasing substance (or substances) has been identified which shows an elution volume on Sephadex G-25 considerably greater than that described by Schally et al. (1). ...
Fuzzy analysis of users' interest in computing using Fril

Utilizes Fril (Fuzzy Relational Inference Language) to develop a logic program to analyze the validity and reliability of a 20-item questionnaire that measures users' attitudes and perceptions of the usefulness of the Internet. Fril is a logic programming language with a capability of uncertainty management based on mass assignment theory. The questionnaire is a five-point Likert scale, with 1 indicating poor attitude and perception and 5 indicating good attitude and perception. Positive attitudes and high perception of usefulness have been shown to correlate highly with individuals using and benefiting from technology. To the extent that a great amount of resources are being spent on developing and delivering more instructional and training materials on the Web, a better understanding of who benefits from technology-based instruction is crucial. The results of this show that the questionnaire is valid and reliable, and that fuzzy analysis techniques can be used successfully for analysis of data of this sort. Further fine tuning of the analysis, thus generating a better questionnaire, is easily possible with the fuzzy tools.
Two Cyclic Analogs of Acetylcholine

Cyclic compounds which imitate two spatial configurations of acetylcholine have been studied as to their muscarinic activities and hydrolyzability by acetylcholinesterase. The results lend support to the hypothesis that flexibility per se is a factor to be considered in the collation of chemical structure with pharmacologic activity.
Imaging nanoparticle stability and activation in vivo

While liposomes and nanoparticles have been the subject of intense research for more than 40 years, few particles have been translated into clinical practice. Advantages of these particles include the potential to overcome the cardiac, renal or neural toxicity of systemic chemotherapy, the opportunities for multivalent targeting, the gradual yet significant accumulation within tumors due to leaky blood vessels and the myriad of new approaches to locally alter the properties of the particle in the region of interest. Given the complexity of the design and co-optimization of the surface architecture, shell formulation and drug loading, methods to image the pharmacokinetics of nanoparticles in living systems are an essential part of an efficient research methodology. Here, we describe our efforts to label the shell and drug core of lipid-shelled particles with a goal of facilitating translation of activatable particles.
Case studies in cannabis vaporization

Cannabis remains the world's most popular illicit drug despite its documented contribution to respiratory problems. The vaporizer heats cannabis without igniting it. Previous work suggests that vaporizers have the potential to minimize respiratory irritation, but it has not been used as an intervention yet. We sought to establish the feasibility of the vaporizer as an intervention for cannabis smokers with respiratory problems. Four cannabis users who reported respiratory symptoms (including two tobacco smokers) agreed to stop smoking cannabis and use the vaporizer for 1 month. The vaporizer appeared to be a practical and acceptable method for the administration of cannabis in users with respiratory problems. After 1 month of vaporizer use, self-reported respiratory symptoms improved dramatically. Measures of lung function (forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC)) showed more modest improvements. Vaporizing proved reactive for tobacco smokers, leading them to decrease cigarette smo...
Enhanced detection of artifacts in EEG data using higher-order statistics and independent component analysis

Detecting artifacts produced in EEG data by muscle activity, eye blinks and electrical noise is a common and important problem in EEG research. It is now widely accepted that independent component analysis (ICA) may be a useful tool for isolating artifacts and/or cortical processes from electroencephalographic (EEG) data. We present results of simulations demonstrating that ICA decomposition, here tested using three popular ICA algorithms, Infomax, SOBI, and FastICA, can allow more sensitive automated detection of small non-brain artifacts than applying the same detection methods directly to the scalp channel data. We tested the upper bound performance of five methods for detecting various types of artifacts by separately optimizing and then applying them to artifact-free EEG data into which we had added simulated artifacts of several types, ranging in size from thirty times smaller (-50 dB) to the size of the EEG data themselves (0 dB). Of the methods tested, those involving spectral thresholding were most sensitive. Except for muscle artifact detection where we found no gain of using ICA, all methods proved more sensitive when applied to the ICA-decomposed data than applied to the raw scalp data: the mean performance for ICA was higher and situated at about two standard deviations away from the performance distribution obtained on raw data. We note that ICA decomposition also allows simple subtraction of artifacts accounted for by single independent components, and/or separate and direct examination of the decomposed non-artifact processes themselves.
Static leakage reduction through simultaneous threshold voltage and state assignment

We propose a new method that uses a combined approach of sleep-state assignment and threshold voltage (Vt) assignment in a dual-Vt process. While each of these methods has previously been used individually, their combined effect has not been leveraged to date. By combining Vt and sleep-state assignment, leakage current can be dramatically reduced since the circuit is in a known state in stand-by mode and only transistors that are off need to be considered for high-Vt assignment. A significant improvement in the leakage/performance trade-off is therefore achievable using such a combined method. We formulate the optimization problem for simultaneous state and Vt assignment under delay constraints and propose both an exact method for its optimal solution as well as a number of practical heuristics with reasonable run time. We compare our results with Vt and sleep state assignment only and demonstrate an average decrease in leakage current of 3.5/spl times/ compared to previous approaches.
Photolithographic linewidth control considerations on ultrathin fully depleted SOI devices

Linewidth control of printed patterns on thin film on silicon-on-insulator wafers is addressed. Investigations were conducted to understand how variations in the buried oxide layer and the ultrathin Si layer affect linewidth control during printing and measurement operations. The photolithography characteristics were studied, including both printed lines and printed spaces, at a number of process steps. SIMOX wafers and bulk Si wafers exposed with focus/exposure matrices, exposure matrices (fixed focus), and fixed focus/exposure were studied using Hg G line (436-nm) exposure wavelength. Linewidths ranged from 1 to 2.5 mu m. Linewidths were measured using a scanning electron microscope and a confocal scanning laser microscope. >