cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Living on a slippery slope.

Our actions, individually and collectively, inevitably affect others, ourselves, and our institutions. They shape the people we become and the kind of world we inhabit. Sometimes those consequences are positive, a giant leap for moral humankind. Other times they are morally regressive. This propensity of current actions to shape the future is morally important. But slippery slope arguments are a poor way to capture it. That is not to say we can never develop cogent slippery slope arguments. Nonetheless, given their most common usage, it would be prudent to avoid them in moral and political debate. They are often fallacious and have often been used for ill. They are normally used to defend the moral status quo. Even when they are cogent, we can always find an alternate way to capture their insights. Finally, by accepting that the moral roads on which we travel are slippery, we become better able to successfully navigate them.
Offspring at high and low risk for depression and anxiety: mechanisms of psychiatric disorder.

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the effect of parental psychiatric diagnosis on the risk of psychiatric disorder In their offspring and to determine mediators and independent predictors of psychiatric disorder in offspring. Method The sample consisted of 145 offspring (between the ages of 6 and 24 years, who were directly interviewed) of probands with early-onset (before age 30 years) major depressive disorder (MDD) without panic, panic disorder with and without major depression, and a normal, never psychiatrically ill control group who were part of a large study conducted to determine the relationship between panic disorder and major depression. Results The risk for offspring MDD was increased by proband recurrent early-onset MOD and coparent alcohol abuse. Chaotic family environment was the only independent predictor of dysthymia. The risk for offspring "any anxiety" disorder was increased by proband recurrent early-onset MDD and coparent impaired functioning. The association between MDD In proband and "panic spectrum" disorder in offspring was accounted for by chaotic family environment. Conclusion: Recurrent parental MDD has consistently been shown to be a strong risk factor for offspring MDD Family environment plays an important role in low-level anxiety symptoms and dysthymia. Clinicians treating adults should be alert to risk factors for their offspring and to appropriate targets for early intervention. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry , 1995, 34, 6:786–797.
Lubricant depletion under various laser heating conditions in Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR)

Heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) is expected to increase the storage areal density to more than 1 Tb/in 2 in hard disk drives (HDDs). In this technology, a laser is used to heat the magnetic media to the Curie point (~400-600 °C) during the writing process. The lubricant on the top of a magnetic disk could evaporate and be depleted under the laser heating. The change of the lubricant can lead to instability of the flying slider and failure of the head-disk interface (HDI). In this study, a HAMR test stage is developed to study the lubricant thermal behavior. Various heating conditions are controlled for the study of the lubricant thermal depletion. The effects of laser heating repetitions and power levels on the lubricant depletion are investigated experimentally. The lubricant reflow behavior is discussed as well.
A mathematical coalescence model in the batch fluidized bed granulator

Abstract The granule porosity and voidage saturation (the volume percentage of the voidage filled with liquid in a granule) are two factors to determine the sur
Immune defense at the ocular surface

The ocular surface is constantly exposed to a wide array of microorganisms. The ability of the outer ocular system to recognize pathogens as foreign and eliminate them is critical to retain corneal transparency, hence preservation of sight. Therefore, a combination of mechanical, anatomical, and immunological defense mechanisms has evolved to protect the outer eye. These host defense mechanisms are classified as either a native, nonspecific defense or a specifically acquired immunological defense requiring previous exposure to an antigen and the development of specific immunity. Sight-threatening immunopathology with autologous cell damage also can take place after these reactions. This article discusses the innate and acquired corneal elements of the immune defense at the ocular surface. The relative roles of the various factors contributing to prevention of eye infection remain to be fully defined.
Extraction of physostigmine from biologic fluids and analysis by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Abstract A rapid and simple method is described for the extraction of physostigmine (Phy) and its hydrolysis product, eseroline, from plasma, whole blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and their subsequent quantitation by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with dual electrode electrochemical detection. Phy and eseroline were extracted from biologic fluids with cyano-phase columns eluted with 0.1 M citrate buffer, pH 4 containing 20% acetonitrile. Phy recovery from citrate buffer and CSF was nearly 100%. Phy recovery from plasma was 82% when methanol was used to precipitate proteins and 62% when HCIO4 was used to precipitate proteins. Phy recovery from whole blood was only 17%. These results are discussed in the context of attempting to measure Phy in fluids of patients receiving this drug in clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Outpatient treatment of serious infections in infants and children with ceftriaxone

Pediatric patients hospitalized at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York, between April 1, 1985, and November 7, 1986, who received ceftriaxone were identified by daily examination of pharmacy records. Hospital records were retrospectively reviewed, and patients who completed antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone as outpatients were identified. Primary physicians were contacted by telephone to verify duration of therapy, determine office versus home administration of ceftriaxone, and identify complications or problems. Parents were also contacted by telephone, and a questionnaire used to obtain information about drug-related complications, relapse or recurrence, impact of home versus hospital treatment, and their acceptance of outpatient therapy. Costs related to antibiotic therapy were based on 1986 pharmacy charges, which include a fixed dispensing fee of $3.40 per dose. As an estimate of minimum daily hospital costs, the $250 room fee for a standard semiprivate room at SMH was used. The cost for home therapy was based on the $51 visiting nurse service fee for basic evaluation and administration of medication in Monroe County, New York.
Variational Assimilation of Global Microwave Rainfall Retrievals: Physical and Dynamical Impact on GEOS Analyses

Abstract Global microwave rainfall retrievals from a five-satellite constellation, including the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager, Special Sensor Microwave Imager from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F13, F14, and F15, and the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer from the Earth Observing System Aqua, are assimilated into the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) Data Assimilation System using a 1D variational continuous assimilation (VCA) algorithm. The physical and dynamical impact of rainfall assimilation on GEOS analyses is examined at various temporal and spatial scales. This study demonstrates that the 1D VCA algorithm, which was originally developed and evaluated for rainfall assimilations over tropical oceans, can effectively assimilate satellite microwave rainfall retrievals and improve GEOS analyses over both the Tropics and the extratropics where the atmospheric processes are dominated by different large-scale dynamics and moist physics, and also over land...
A logic block enabling logic configuration by non-experts in sensor networks

Recent years have seen the evolution of networks of tiny low power computing blocks, known as sensor networks. In one class of sensor networks, a non-expert user, who has little or no experience with electronics or programming, selects, connects and/or configures one or more blocks such that the blocks compute a particular Boolean logic function of sensor values. We describe a series of experiments showing that non-expert users have much difficulty with a block based on Boolean logic truth tables, and that a logic block having a sentence-like structure with some configurable switches yields a better success rate. We also show that a particular use of color with a truth table improves results over a traditional truth table.
The Structure of the Amphibian Auditory Periphery: A Unique Experiment in Terrestrial Hearing

The amphibian auditory periphery is traditionally viewed from one of two perspectives: (1) that it is degenerate and by implication derived from the amniote condition or (2) that it represents, at least in most frogs, a simple intermediate condition between the ears of rhipidistian fishes and reptiles. These two perspectives, or various hybrids, guide modern workers in the design of their investigations and the interpretation of the data resulting from these studies. The development and diversity of the amphibian auditory periphery is reviewed and compared to that of amniotes. The otic region in key fossil tetrapods is reviewed. Our current concepts of otic homology are reviewed and some alternative homologies are suggested. This review indicates that the most parsimonius perspective on the amphibian auditory periphery is that it represents a unique experiment in aerial hearing unrelated to that found in modern amniotes. The implications of this perspective for modern morphological and experimental work are discussed. [Work supported by NSF.]
Brucella canis endophthalmitis in 3 dogs: clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment.

Objective To describe historical, clinical and diagnostic features of dogs with Brucella canis endophthalmitis and the response to medical therapy. Animals studied Three dogs with naturally acquired B. canis endophthalmitis. Procedure Dogs were treated symptomatically with topical ophthalmic anti-inflammatories and a novel antimicrobial protocol that included doxycycline, enrofloxacin, rifampin and streptomycin. Results All dogs presented with chronic or recurrent uveitis in the absence of overt systemic disease. Clinical ophthalmologic abnormalities were unilateral in each dog and included mild-to-moderate anterior uveitis, iris hyperpigmentation, marked vitreal infiltrates, and multifocal chorioretinitis. Dogs were diagnosed with canine brucellosis serologically and by blood culture (n = 2 dogs) or polymerase chain reaction of aqueous humor and blood (n = 1 dog). Active ocular inflammation resolved in all dogs during treatment, with preservation of vision in 2 dogs. Following treatment, B. canis could not be cultured from blood samples and serological values declined with seronegativity achieved in all dogs after a median of 96 weeks (range: 36–112 weeks) of therapy. Conclusions Brucella canis infection should be included in the differential diagnosis for dogs with intraocular inflammation, regardless of previous history or neuter status. This is the first report of apparently successful medical therapy of canine brucellosis with ocular involvement.
Recent Contributions to the Study of African Political Thought

THE current scholarly interest in African political affairs contrasts sharply with the dearth of serious research and writing about contemporary African political thought. Attempts to explain this unfortunate phenomenon hinge on the realization that the rise of what might be identified as independent "African" political thought is a comparatively recent development. The accelerated tempo of sociopolitical change on the continent has, perhaps, served to discourage systematic analysis. Moreover, the very multiplicity and diversity of independent African regimes pose staggering problems for the potential student. As a result, relatively few social scientists have undertaken systematic examination of African political attitudes, ideas, and ideologies. It is the purpose of this bibliographical research note to review some of the principal publications dealing with the ideas influencing and advanced by modern politicians in the independent black African states. This article does not purport to be a complete survey of the literature on the subject. For reasons of manageability, it is limited to those studies primarily devoted to the political thought of Africa's ruling elites. It does not include publications dealing only tangentially with the subject. Descriptions and comments on various aspects of African thought are scattered throughout many published works, but unless major (or identifiable) portions of these studies are specifically concerned with the subject under consideration here, they will not be mentioned. This survey will concentrate on contemporary thought, and will discuss traditional influences only insofar as they affect modern ideas and attitudes. This article is divided into three parts. The first will cover the general treatments of political thought-those seeking to examine several facets of thought related to politics, whether it be for all of black Africa, for a region, or for a particular country. Part II will discuss the analytical literature relating to specific themes without regard for
Ecological engineering, adaptive management, and restoration management in Delaware Bay salt marsh restoration

Abstract Salt hay marshes were diked and farmed for over 50 years, reducing marsh plain elevations, obliterating many tidal channels, keeping fish out of the marsh, and encouraging invasion of Phragmites . Restoration involved setting restoration goals, careful planning, recreating major tidal channels, and opening the dikes. Ecological engineering, allowing nature to self-design, was used to create the smaller tidal channels, re-introduce fish, and adjust the elevation of the marsh plain and revegetate it. Adaptive management, specified in regulatory requirements, was used to monitor the restoration to ensure that design goals were met. Adaptive management and restoration management, less constrained by regulatory requirements but an equally intense process, were carried out by a small team of ecologists, engineers, and regulators. Ecological engineering, adaptive management, and restoration management were used to restore the structure and function of degraded salt marshes and were essential to the success of the Delaware Bay wetland restorations.
Being Mindful about the Use of Mindfulness in Clinical Contexts.

Abstract Over the last 10 years, interest in the use and investigation of mindfulness-based interventions in clinical settings has expanded greatly. This commentary addresses key questions facing clinicians and researchers in order to undertake future work with rigor and care. We consider, in particular, questions regarding the definition of mindfulness, the context within which mindfulness has evolved over time, including its origins as a spiritual practice, and requirements for clinicians and researchers to deliver and study mindfulness-based interventions competently. We offer suggestions for clinical practice and research, including the expansion of mindfulness-based interventions to increasingly diverse populations.
Subsurface hardening in erosion-damaged copper as inferred from the dislocation cell structure, and its dependence on particle velocity and angle of impact

Abstract Previously published measurements of the cell diameters d of dislocation cells underneath copper surfaces exposed to particle erosion were evaluated in terms of the subsurface stresses τ to which they correspond. These were compared with the elastic stresses expected underneath spherical indenters impacting on the surface with different speeds. The inferred stresses differ markedly from theoretical predictions, not only in regard to the dependence on speed and angle of impact but even in regard to their decay along the z axis, the direction normal to the surface. Instead of τ decreasing as z − n with n continuously rising from 0 at a shallow depth to 2 at large depths, as predicted from elastic theory, the stresses follow a z −1 dependence throughout the measured range. All data are satisfactorily explained by the relationship 1/d = (7/z)v 2 5 sin α ≈ τ/100 (using MKS units), where v stands for the velocity of the impacting particles, namely rather irregularly shaped alumina particles 50 μm in diameter, and α is the angle of impact. No theoretical explanation has so far been found to account for this result. It is noted, however, that previously a z −1 decay of stress had already given excellent results in a theoretical interpretation of the subsurface shear strain underneath a surface subject to sliding wear. Further, sin α is the direction cosine for the normal force component, whereas a velocity dependence of v 2 5 is found from elastic theory for the depth scaling of the elastic stress due to a spherical indenter. Suggestions are made for further experiments.
Optimal packing using the multiple mating method

A new method for the solution of the packing problem is presented. The method introduces a mating concept to the problem. The mating allows one or more objects to be positioned relative to the other by applying mating conditions that are derived from the geometric features among them. Once mated, objects within a mating pair or a mating group are treated as one object and do not need to be positioned separately. In addition, overlap calculation among objects within the mating group is not necessary. The algorithm thus brings a significant reduction in search space and the overall time taken to converge.
The presence of vasal vessels in men with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens.

ABSTRACTPurpose:: We characterized spermatic cord microanatomy in men with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) presenting for varicocelectomy. We discuss the implications of these findings for varicocele repair.Materials and Methods:: Between 1997 and 2003, 8 men with CBAVD underwent a total of 11 microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomies at microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration and cryopreservation. All 8 men had palpable grades II to III varicoceles and in 6 varicoceles were repaired due to painful symptomatology, while 2 had testicular hypotrophy with an abnormal hormonal profile. Three men had bilateral varicoceles repaired, while 5 underwent unilateral varicocelectomy. All patients provided a thorough history and underwent physical examination, hormonal evaluation, semen analysis, genetic testing and renal ultrasonography.Results:: Intraoperative microsurgical dissection confirmed dilated internal and external spermatic veins, and absence of the vas deferens in all 11 sperm...
Current and Investigational Therapies for Patients with CLL

Clinical and laboratory investigations are driving the rapid change in treatments for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Randomized trials have demonstrated superior activity for fludarabine combined with cyclophosphamide versus single-agent fludarabine or chlorambucil as initial treatment. Chemoimmunotherapy holds promise for further improvement and is being tested in randomized trials. New combinations and agents are being identified and tested. Eliminating minimal residual disease is a therapeutic endpoint that may prove to prolong survival and is also under investigation in prospective clinical trials. Work continues toward improving survival and potentially curing patients of this disease.
Short-Term Storage of Human Spermatozoa in Electrolyte-Free Medium Without Freezing Maintains Sperm Chromatin Integrity Better Than Cryopreservation

Previous attempts to maintain human spermatozoa without freezing were based on short-term storage in component-rich medium and led to fast decline in motility and increased incidence of chromosome breaks. Here we report a new method in which sperm are maintained without freezing in an electrolyte-free medium (EFM) composed of glucose and bovine serum albumin. Human sperm were stored in EFM or human tubal fluid medium (HTFM) or were cryopreserved, and their motility, viability, and DNA integrity were examined at different intervals. Cryopreservation led to significant decline in sperm motility and viability and induced DNA fragmentation. Sperm stored in EFM maintained motility and viability for up to 4 and 7 wk, respectively, much longer than sperm stored in HTFM (<2 and <4 wk, respectively). DNA integrity, assessed with comet assay, was also maintained significantly better in EFM than in HTFM. One-week storage in EFM yielded motility and viability similar to that of cryopreserved sperm, but DNA integrity was significantly higher, resembling that of fresh sperm. After several weeks of storage in EFM, sperm were able to activate oocytes, undergo chromatin remodeling, and form normal zygotic chromosomes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. This study demonstrated that human spermatozoa can be stored in EFM without freezing for several weeks while maintaining motility, viability, and chromatin integrity and that 1-wk storage in EFM offers better protection of sperm DNA integrity than cryopreservation. Sperm storage in EFM may become a viable option for the physicians working in assisted reproduction technology clinics, which would avoid cryodamage.
Detection of Human Skin in Near Infrared Hyperspectral Imagery

One of the difficulties in search and rescue missions is finding a small target, such as a person, in a large cluttered area. Airborne hyperspectral cameras are now being deployed to aid in this SAR mission. Motivated by the successes of such systems, we define a hyperspectral model of human skin in the visible and near infrared regions of the spectra so we can exploit knowledge gained during the modeling process to aid in human skin detection. Based on observations of the skin model results, an efficient and robust skin detection algorithm using channels in the near infrared region of the spectra is developed. Our algorithm is denoted the Normalized Difference Skin Index, motivated by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index used in the literature for detecting vegetation in hyperspectral imagery. We demonstrate the capabilities of our skin detection methodology to detect skin amongst objects known to cause false detections for methodologies using three channel color data.
Does brain tumor histology influence cognitive function

This retrospective study investigated the relationship between tumor histology and postsurgical cognitive function in patients diagnosed with malignant brain tumors. The neuropsychological functioning of 24 adult patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) was compared with the neuropsychological functioning of 24 adult patients diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma (AA). The groups were matched with respect to patient age, gender, and education, as well as tumor location and tumor volume. The mean raw test scores of the AA patient group were superior to the mean scores of the GBM patient group on nearly all measures administered. However, significant performance differences were not detected for any of 5 neuropsychological domain scores (Intellectual, Language, Memory, Executive, and Motor Function). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that tumor histology was not a significant predictor of domain score after controlling for tumor volume. Multiple regression and correlation analyses supported the results of the ANCOVA by offering further evidence of weak relationships between tumor type, tumor volume, and neuropsychological test scores. We conclude that tumor histology is not clearly predictive of cognitive performance in adults with AA and GBM.
Sensitivity analyses of continuous and discrete systems in the time and frequency domains

The technique of sensitivity analysis is old and well known, but few modern papers include them, perhaps because of the subtle tricks and customizations that have to be done to reap their benefits. The authors show how to overcome some of the difficulties of performing sensitivity analyses. They draw examples from a broad range of fields: physics, systems theory, physiology, expert systems, bioengineering, control theory, simulation, queuing theory, and system design. The important points that can be extracted from literature covering diverse fields and long time spans are generalized. >
Aspect-Oriented Web Services for Distributed Resource Monitoring in Utility Computing

Monitoring resource utilization is an essential task in utility computing (UC). Typically, a UC manager with adaptors is used to orchestrate and collect the monitoring results. However, large IT systems, such as those in data centers are required to monitor dynamic resources running in distributed platforms, thus demanding a complex UC manager structure. This paper introduces a novel approach that utilizes a platform specific aspect-oriented programming (AOP) tool to dynamically weave a monitoring Web service into a running resource to enable communication with a UC manager exposed with standard monitoring Web service interfaces. This AO-Web service approach provides a simple yet powerful and effective means for the dynamic monitoring of distributed resources running in heterogeneous platforms.
The Impact of Optics on HPC System Interconnects

Optical signaling has long been used for telecommunications, where its low-loss signaling capability is needed and the relatively high termination costs can be amortized over long distances. Until recently, Cray has not found it advantageous to use optics in its multiprocessor interconnects. With recent reductions in optical costs and increases in signaling rates, however, the situation has changed, and Cray is currently developing a hybrid electrical/optical interconnect for our “Cascade” system, which will be shipping in 2012. In this position paper, Cray was asked to answer the question “Will cost-effective optics fundamentally change the landscape of networking?” The short answer is yes. By breaking the tight relationship between cable length, cost, and signaling speed, optical signaling technology opens the door to network topologies with much longer links than are feasible with electrical signaling. Cost-effective optics will thus enable a new class of interconnects that use high-radix network topologies to significantly improve performance while reducing cost.
DigitalSculpture: a subdivision-based approach to interactive implicit surface modeling

This paper presents Digital Sculpture, an interactive sculpting framework founded upon iso-surfaces extracted from recursively subdivided, 3D irregular grids. Our unique implicit surface model arises from an interpolatory, volumetric subdivision scheme that is C1 continuous across the domains defined by arbitrary 3D irregular grids. We assign scalar coefficients and color to each control vertex and allow these quantities to participate in the volumetric subdivision of irregular grids. In the subdivision limit, a virtual sculpture is obtained by extracting the zero-level from the volumetric, scalar field defined over the irregular grid. This novel shape geometry extends concepts from solid modeling, recursive subdivision, and implicit surfaces; facilitates many techniques for interactive sculpting; permits rapid, local evaluation of iso-surfaces; and affords level-of-detail control of the sculpted surfaces.
A proposed research framework for distributed group support systems

Distributed group support system (DGSS) is technology that can help groups to overcome some of the problems associated with being in different places and different time zones. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for DGSS research that will encompass the major issues involved in the application of DGSS. The issues, compiled from a literature review and a small scale survey of practitioners, include topics, such as security of information, identification of approved members, and the role of a facilitator. The changing structure of organizations due to downsizing and globalization, is being assisted by the increased access to communication media, such as videoconferencing, fax, and high speed data networks. As the changes take place there is a need to define the use of the technology and to define the structure of the distributed group. >
Measurement of the Continuum of Dimuons Produced in High-Energy Proton - Nucleus Collisions

We report final results of a series of measurements of continuum dimuon production in proton-nucleus collisions at Fermilab. New results with 6 times more statistics are included. A full description of the apparatus and methods used in the analysis of this series of measurements is given. The sea quark distribution of the nucleon is determined within the context of Drell-Yan and quantum-chromodynamic descriptions of dilepton production in hadron collisions.
Preparation and Inverse‐Electron‐Demand Diels–Alder Reaction of an Electron‐Deficient Diene: Methyl 2‐Oxo‐5,6,7,8‐Tetrahydro‐2H‐1‐Benzopyran‐3‐Carboxylate and 6‐Methoxy‐7‐Methoxycarbonyl‐1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydronaphthalane

Preparation and inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction of an electron-deficient diene: methyl 2-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylate and 6-methoxy-7-methoxycarbonyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalane reactant: dimethyl methoxymethylenemalonate (8.1 g, 46 mmol, ) intermediate: methyl 2-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylate reactant: 1,1-Dimethoxyethylene (1.1 g, 12.5 mmol, ) product: 6-methoxy-7-methoxycarbonyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene Keywords: annulation, carbocyclic-[6]; annulation, heterocyclic-[6]; cyclization, condensation; cyclization, cycloaddition; Diels-Alder reactions; diisopropylamine; dimethyl methoxymethylenemalonate; lithium diisopropylamide (LDA), preparation of; tetrahydrofuran; toluene; pressure reactions, explosive; apparatus, resealable glass tube for pressure reactions; pressure reactions, use of resealable glass tubes
Breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening rates amongst female Cambodian, Somali, and Vietnamese immigrants in the USA.

Minority women, particularly immigrants, have lower cancer screening rates than Caucasian women, but little else is known about cancer screening among immigrant women. Our objective was to assess breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening rates among immigrant women from Cambodia, Somalia, and Vietnam and explore screening barriers. We measured screening rates by systematic chart review (N = 100) and qualitatively explored screening barriers via face-to-face questionnaire (N = 15) of women aged 50–75 from Cambodia, Somalia, and Vietnam attending a general medicine clinic (Portland, Maine, USA). Chart Review – Somali women were at higher risk of being unscreened for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer compared with Cambodian and Vietnamese women. A longer period of US residency was associated with being screened for colorectal cancer. We observed a 7% (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.13, p = 0.01) increase in the odds that a woman would undergo a fecal occult blood test for each additional year in the US, and a 39% increase in the odds of a woman being screened by colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy for every five years of additional US residence (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.21–1.61, p = 0.02). We did not observe statistically significant relationships between odds of being screened by mammography, clinical breast exam or papanicolaou test according to years in the US. Questionnaire – We identified several barriers to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening, including discomfort with exams conducted by male physicians. Somali women were less likely to be screened for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer than Cambodian and Vietnamese women in this population, and uptake of colorectal cancer screening is associated with years of residency in this country. Future efforts to improve equity in cancer screening among immigrants may require both provider and community education.
Egypt's Absorptive Capacity during 1960-1972

During the 1960–1972 period Egypt was committed to a socialist, centrally planned model of economic development. Economic growth goals were expounded in optimistic consecutive five-year plans. When it became apparent that these goals would not be achieved, the second five-year plan was expanded to seven years (1965–1972). private investment had been effectively discouraged after the nationalization of privately owned industry during 1960–1963. In order to finance ambitious development plans, Egypt borrowed heavily during 1960–1972. Approximately $2.3 billion was borrowed mainly from the U.S.S.R., the European Economic Community, and the United States. The plans' large capital development projects were undertaken with dismal results. A major factor causing these failures was the low absorptive capacity of Egypt during that time. This severely restricted the amount of capital that could be put to constructive use in any given time period and prevented Egypt from realizing her goal of doubling national income in ten years (1960–1970).
Minimizing interacting finite state machines: a compositional approach to language containment

We address the problem of compositional minimization of collections of interacting finite state machines that arise in the context of formal verification of hardware designs by language containment. Typically much of the behavior of the system is redundant with respect to a given property being verified, and so the system can be replaced by substantially simpler representations. We show that these redundancies can be captured by computing states that are input-output equivalent in the presence of fairness. Since computing complete equivalences is computationally expensive, we propose a spectrum of approximations which are efficiently computable. Directly minimizing the entire system requires forming the complete product machine, which can be very large, and hence we describe procedures that hierarchically minimize the system with respect to explicit and BDD representations. We present experimental results on some standard verification examples to show that our algorithms allow the product machine to be represented by very small implicit or explicit representations. We conclude with some further directions. >
TUNNEL DIODE PULSE SHAPE DISCRIMINATOR

Abstract A pulse shape discriminator is described which is suitable for neutron-gamma ray separation with several different detector types. It uses three tunnel diode discriminator circuits, one for setting an energy threshold, one for marking the leading edge setting an energy threshold, one for making the leading edge of the input signals and one for making their zero-crossover. The signal shape is characterized by the time from inception to zero-crossover, which is converted to a proportional output pulse amplitude. Measured signal width variations of ±2 nsec are observed with input signals varying from 50 mV to 5 V.
Professional Evolution Differentiating Holistic Practice and Speculations for Future Directions

Technological advances and economic, social, and cultural conditions have created a climate of change in health care. New roles and approaches are developing in relation to the holistic health movement. Within the holistic nursing community, three concepts of holistic practice have emerged. Differentiations among (a) certified holistic nurses, (b) practitioners of a healing modality, and (c) healers are presented to promote future discussion. As new roles must match a social need and become institutionalized to secure a professional role, speculations on possible directions for the certification in holistic nursing are presented.
Elevated hemidiaphragm after cardiac operations: incidence, prognosis, and relationship to the use of topical ice slush.

We have reviewed chest roentgenograms of 745 patients before hospital dismissal after cardiac operations and serially to determine the incidence and prognosis of elevated hemidiaphragm and any relationship to the use of topical ice slush (TIS) in myocardial preservation. All patients had similar myocardial preservation techniques including moderate systemic hypothermia and 4 °C saline solution poured over the heart at aortic clamping. During a 12-month period, TIS was added to the saline bath. Two (2.4%) of 84 patients before TIS and 5 (2.5%) of 201 consecutive patiente operated on since discontinuing TIS had elevated hemidiaphragm on the predismissal roentgenogram. Of 460 patients in whom TIS was employed, 109 (23.7%) had elevafed hemidiaphragm (p < 0.001). When TIS was employed, elevated hemidiaphragm developed in 72 (26%) of 280 patients without internal mammary artery takedown versus 13 of 33 patients (39.4%) with takedown of the internal mammary artery (p = 0.047). Ninety-nine patients with elevated hemidiaphragm were available for follow-up at 1 month, at which time 79 (79.8%) continued to have elevated diaphragm. At 1 year, 14 (21.9%) of 64 patients had persistent diaphragm elevation. We conclude that TIS predisposes to elevated diaphragm and that the incidence is increased when the internal mammary artery is harvested.
Update on the diagnosis and treatment of human papillomavirus infection

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are associated with a spectrum of diseases, ranging from common warts to invasive carcinoma of the genital tract. The clinical manifestations of HPV infection depend on the viral subtype, the immune status of the patient, and environmental co-carcinogens. Infection with HPV is often asymptomatic, which makes viral detection challenging. Current therapies do not reliably eradicate HPV infection, and benign genital warts and genital tract intraepithelial neoplasia often recur after treatment. We discuss the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, detection, and treatment of HPV infections of the anogenital tract.
Hedging variance options on continuous semimartingales

We find robust model-free hedges and price bounds for options on the realized variance of [the returns on] an underlying price process. Assuming only that the underlying process is a positive continuous semimartingale, we superreplicate and subreplicate variance options and forward-starting variance options, by dynamically trading the underlying asset and statically holding European options. We thereby derive upper and lower bounds on values of variance options, in terms of Europeans.
Murine models define the role of TGF-β as a master regulator of immune cell function

Many members of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, including not only TGF-beta, but also the activins, and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), have been demonstrated to affect the development and function of immune cells. From the proliferation and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, to the activation and migration of mature lymphoid and myeloid lineages, the TGF-betas have been recognized for their ability to modulate the manner in which such cells respond to stimuli in their environment. Recent studies involving disruption of this pathway in genetically engineered mice now emphasize the importance of this activity and validate functional models predicted by in vitro studies. Phenotypic differences between mice harboring mutations in the TGF-beta1 ligand and the TGF-beta receptor-activated signaling intermediate Smad3 are presented and serve to highlight the valuable role of these in vivo genetic tests of function.
The "nuclear car wash": a scanner to detect illicit special nuclear material in cargo containers

There is an urgent need to improve the reliability of screening cargo containers for illicit nuclear material that may be hidden there for terrorist purposes. A screening system is described for the detection of fissionable material hidden in maritime cargo containers. The system makes use of a low-intensity neutron beam for producing fission and the detection of the abundant high-energy /spl gamma/ rays emitted in the /spl beta/-decay of short-lived fission products and /spl beta/-delayed neutrons. The abundance of the delayed /spl gamma/ rays is almost an order of magnitude larger than that of the delayed neutrons normally used to detect fission, and they are emitted on about the same time scale as the delayed neutrons, i.e., /spl sim/1 min. The energy and temporal distributions of the delayed /spl gamma/ rays provide a unique signature of fission. Because of their high energy, these delayed /spl gamma/ rays penetrate low-Z cargoes much more readily than the delayed neutrons. Coupled with their higher abundance, the signal from the delayed /spl gamma/ rays escaping from the container is predicted to be as much as six decades more intense than the delayed neutron signal, depending upon the type and thickness of the intervening cargo. The /spl gamma/ rays are detected in a large array of scintillators located along the sides of the container as it is moved through them. Measurements have confirmed the signal strength in somewhat idealized experiments and have also identified one interference when 14.5-MeV neutrons from the D, T reaction are used for the interrogation. The interference can be removed easily by the appropriate choice of the neutron source.
Bioindicators of contaminant exposure and sublethal effects: Studies with benthic fish in puget sound, Washington

A suite of chemical and biochemical variables responsive to contaminant exposure was measured in three species of benthic flatfish (English sole, Parophrys vetulus, rock sole, Lepidopsetta bilineata, and starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus) sampled from up to five sites in Puget Sound, Washington, to assess the sensitivity of the parameters to differences in levels of contaminant exposure The examined indexes were levels of (a) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in liver, (b) fluorescent aromatic compounds in bile, (c) hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and ethoxy-resorufin O deethylase, (d) total hepatic GSH and (e) hydrophobic DNA xenobiotic adducts in liver as measured by 32P postlabeling The sediment concentrations of PCBs and the sum of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at the sampling sites ranged from 21 to 570 and 21 to 5,300 ng/g wet weight sediment, respectively The results showed (a) that all the examined indexes could discriminate among sites exhibiting different degrees of chemical contamination, (b) that species differed in the range of response of most of the measured indexes, and (c) that the use of the indexes in concert appeared to enhance the assessment of contaminant exposure and sublethal effects
PARASITE-RELATED PAIRING SUCCESS IN AN INTERMEDIATE HOST, CAECIDOTEA INTERMEDIUS (ISOPODA): EFFECTS OF MALE BEHAVIOR AND REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY

The acanthocephalan parasite Acanthocephalus dirus develops from the egg to the cystacanth stage inside the freshwater isopod Caecidotea intermedius. We have shown previously that cystacanth-infected male C. intermedius are less likely to initiate mating attempts with females than uninfected males in competitive situations. Here, we used a field-based experiment to examine whether cystacanth-infected males were also less likely to initiate mating attempts with females in noncompetitive situations. We found that infected males were less responsive to females than uninfected males, and we propose that the cystacanth-related change in male mating behavior is mediated by a change in the mating response of males to females rather than male-male competition. We then examined whether cystacanth-related changes in reproductive function, i.e., sperm content and fertilization ability, could explain this variation in male mating behavior. We found that cystacanth-infected males contained both developing and mature sperm and fertilized as many eggs as uninfected males. Thus, we propose that changes in reproductive function are unlikely to explain cystacanth-related variation in male mating behavior in C. intermedius.
Optimized design of flat-band finite-size Coupled Resonator optical waveguides with reduced in-band distortions

Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) finite-size CROWs with optimized flat-band spectrum, excellent group-delay response, and compact size are experimentally demonstrated using direct correspondence with ladder-type LC circuits. Sensitivity analysis attributes residual distortions to non-ideal fabrication rather than coupling-induced-frequency-shifts.
Mass Mixing and CP Violation in the $B^0-\bar{B}^0$ system

Abstract Mass mixing and CP violation in the B 0 - B 0 system are studied in the standard six-quark model. The mass and width differences are obtained by reliable methods, and their radiative corrections included to leading logarithm. Constraints on the Kobayashi-Maskawa parameters are rederived in order to permit a quantitative account of B 0 phenomenology. Strong evidence against the observability of CP violation in B 0 - B 0 mixing is presented.
Reply to Commentary on “Cytokeratin 20-negative Merkel cell carcinoma is infrequently associated with the Merkel cell polyomavirus”

Reply to Commentary on “Cytokeratin 20-negative Merkel cell carcinoma is infrequently associated with the Merkel cell polyomavirus”
Time Domain NMR and Magic Angle Spinning

Rapid specimen rotation about an axis inclined at the ‘magic angle’ of 54°44′ to the Zeeman field direction can remove many sources of broadening from the NMR spectrum of a solid and enable finer features to be revealed. In this chapter the basic principles of NMR are first introduced with especial reference to the time domain. Next, the principles of magic angle spinning are given and the effects on the chemical shift interaction, the magnetic dipolar and pseudo-dipolar interactions, both homonuclear and heteronuclear, and electric quadrupolar interactions are examined. The anisotropic parts of these interactions are removed from the central spectrum and appear as spinning sidebands. The interactions that remain are the isotropic shifts and J couplings as in isotropic fluids. When applied to metals the anisotropy of Knight shift is removed, isotropic Knight shifts may be measured with precision and the Ruderman-Kittel interaction may be determined in the presence of a much larger dipolar interaction. Magic angle spinning may be used on its own, and may also be successfully combined with multiple-pulse and cross-polarization NMR methods to obtain high-resolution NMR spectra of solids.
Retinal Imaging with Adaptive Optics

Adaptive Optics allows for dynamic, microscopic ophthalmoscopy, as well as projection and localization of light stimuli onto the retina with unprecedented resolution. Applications range from better understanding of retinal disease to single cone psychophysics.
Photoacoustic Probes for Ratiometric Imaging of Copper(II)

Photoacoustic tomography has emerged as a promising alternative to MRI and X-ray scans in the clinical setting due to its ability to afford high-resolution images at depths in the cm range. However, its utility has not been established in the basic research arena owing to a lack of analyte-specific photoacoustic probes. To this end, we have developed acoustogenic probes for copper(II)-1 and -2 (APC-1 and APC-2, a water-soluble congener) for the chemoselective visualization of Cu(II), a metal ion which plays a crucial role in chronic neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. To detect Cu(II), we have equipped both APCs with a 2-picolinic ester sensing module that is readily hydrolyzed in the presence of Cu(II) but not by other divalent metal ions. Additionally, we designed APC-1 and APC-2 explicitly for ratiometric photoacoustic imaging by using an aza-BODIPY dye scaffold exhibiting two spectrally resolved NIR absorbance bands which correspond to the 2-picolinic ester capped and uncapped phenoxid...