cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome Versus Mycosis Fungoides

We present a case in which our patient was first seen with biopsy and histologically confirmed toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome (TENS). Subsequent to recovery and discharge from the hospital, the patient reappeared within 2 months of her discharge with a rash over her neck and back, with a central area of superficial breakdown. Biopsy results confirmed this lesion to be mycosis fungoides, not a recurrent case of TENS. Given the time lag between these two clinical courses, it is easy to speculate that this patient only had one disease entity, which we failed to diagnose on initial presentation. Once the skin becomes manifest with mycosis fungoides, the lesions are those typically beginning as an erythrodermic rash, it then progresses to indurated and infiltrated purple plaques. These symptoms may be confused with TENS, particularly in a patient with a preexisting diagnosis of TENS. It is critical that histologic confirmation of the clinical diagnosis be confirmed so that the treatment of the patient can be correctly instituted.
Decision science: Foundations and applications introduction to the special issue

The ultimate objective of many intelligent systems is to make intelligent decisions based on the expert knowledge and measurement results. In view of this objective, decision making under uncertainty, in particular uncertainty inherent to expert knowledge, is of extreme importance to intelligent systems research. At present, in many intelligent systems, decision is made based on heuristic criteria. The general experience of intelligent systems has shown that when the foundations are well understood, when the corresponding optimization problems are formulated in precise terms, then the resulting optimized techniques—be it intelligent control or intelligent data processing—lead to better quality results. It is therefore desirable to move from heuristic decision-making techniques to theoretically justified ones. In other words, for intelligent systems, it is time to go from decision-making heuristics to decision science. The purpose of this special issue is to collect papers related to foundations of decision science, with the emphasis on the (actual and potential) practical applications of the corresponding theoretical results.
Resonant acceleration and diffusion of outer zone electrons in an asymmetric geomagnetic field

[1] The outer zone radiation belt consists of energetic electrons drifting in closed orbits encircling the Earth between ∼3 and 7 RE. Electron fluxes in the outer belt show a strong correlation with solar and magnetospheric activity, generally increasing during geomagnetic storms with associated high solar wind speeds, and increasing in the presence of magnetospheric ULF waves in the Pc-5 frequency range. In this paper, we examine the influence of Pc-5 ULF waves on energetic electrons drifting in an asymmetric, compressed dipole and find that such particles may be efficiently accelerated through a drift-resonant interaction with the waves. We find that the efficiency of this acceleration increases with increasing magnetospheric distortion (such as may be attributed to increased solar wind pressure associated with high solar wind speeds) and with increasing ULF wave activity. A preponderance of ULF power in the dawn and dusk flanks is shown to be consistent with the proposed acceleration mechanism. Under a continuum of wave modes and frequencies, we find that the drift resonant acceleration process leads to additional modes of radial diffusion in the outer belts, with timescales that may be appropriate to those observed during geomagnetic storms.
Challenges Faced While Simultaneously Implementing CMMI and Scrum: A Case Study in the Tax Preparation Software Industry

CMMI certification is a major accomplishment for a software organization, and is often required for an organization to stay competitive. This work is a case study of the challenges faced by a growing tax preparation software company during its attempt to achieve CMMI certification at maturity level two, while simultaneously implementing agile development practices in the form of Scrum. For legal reasons, the company's actual name (and those of its products) is withheld, the company is hereafter referred to by the hypothetical name of The Tax Company, Inc. The Tax Company, Inc. began its journey toward CMMI certification at maturity level two, and becoming an agile software company in late 2008, that journey continues today. A few key challenges are documented here so that other organizations can learn from our company's experiences. As of October 14, 2011, The Tax Company, Inc. passed its SCAMPI 'A' appraisal, and achieved CMMI certification at level two. While CMMI maturity level three may be considered, management has not indicated that this will be pursued in the near future.
Further validation of the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale

AbstractPurpose: This study examined the factorial and construct validity of the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy (MSSE) Scale in two samples of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method: Two samples (n's = 292, 275) of participants with MS were recruited from across the United States. Participants in both studies completed a questionnaire battery that included the MSSE and measures of symptoms, dysfunction, disability, psychosocial aspects, mental/emotional well-being, and quality of life. Factorial validity was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), whereas construct validity was examined based on bivariate correlations with scores from other measures. Results: The two-factor measurement model provided a poor fit for the 18 items on the MSSE in both the samples. This model provided a good fit for a modified, 10-item scale in both samples. The 10-item version of the MSSE was highly correlated with the original MSSE (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) and related constructs (e.g. disability, r = 0.69, p < 0...
Chemotherapy, irradiation, and surgery for function-preserving therapy of primary extremity soft tissue sarcomas: initial treatment with ifosfamide, mitomycin, doxorubicin, and cisplatin plus granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor.

BACKGROUND Most institutional teams utilize multimodality therapy in their efforts to cure patients with primary high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas, although the value of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy is still disputed by some oncologists. This single-institution Phase II study describes an effort to control metastasis by the use of two cycles of chemotherapy as the initial preoperative treatment. METHODS Between March 1994 and October 1997, 20 women and 19 men with primary extremity or limb girdle high-grade soft tissue sarcomas were registered to a study of preoperative ifosfamide, mitomycin, doxorubicin, cisplatin (IMAP) plus granulocyte macrophage–colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) followed by preoperative irradiation and subsequent limb-sparing surgery. The two sequential monthly cycles of IMAP involved intravenous ifosfamide, 2500 mg/m2, and mesna, 2500 mg/m2, on Day 0, followed by identical doses of these agents plus intravenous mitomycin, 4 mg/m2, doxorubicin, 40 mg/m2, and cisplatin, 60 mg/m2, on Day 1. Sargramostim (GM-CSF) 250 μg/m2 was given subcutaneously every 12 hours for 4 days beginning 6 days before the chemotherapy, and then for 14 more days beginning the day after chemotherapy was completed. At the beginning of the third month, external beam irradiation was administered daily, 5 days each week for 5 consecutive weeks to total preoperative doses of 4500 centigrays (cGy). This was accompanied by reduced doses of MAP chemotherapy (mitomycin, 6 mg/m2, doxorubicin, 30 mg/m2, and cisplatin, 45 mg/m2) intravenously on Days 0, 21, and 42 of the radiation therapy segment. Approximately 1 month after preoperative irradiation ended, each patient had complete surgical excision with curative intent, using limb-sparing techniques when possible. Radiation to total doses of 5500–6500 cGy was accomplished by delivery of an additional 1000–2000 cGy to the tumor bed via intraoperative electron beam, brachytherapy, or external beam irradiation at the completion of surgery. RESULTS All except 5 patients had tumors at least 5 cm in diameter. Chemotherapy toxicity grade three or higher consisted primarily of vomiting (23%), leukopenia (54%), and thrombocytopenia (77%). Six patients have died of metastatic sarcoma, and one other died in a motorcycle accident. Kaplan–Meier curves indicate estimated 5-year survival of approximately 80% and freedom from metastasis at 2 years of approximately 85%. CONCLUSIONS IMAP plus GM-CSF is satisfactory as initial treatment for primary extremity soft tissue sarcomas in two monthly cycles preceding irradiation. The prescribed irradiation was generally tolerable and effective in permitting limb-sparing surgery. Although the outcome of patients treated on this regimen has been favorable, the metastasis problem has not been eliminated. Cancer 2002;94:786–92. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10259
Microvascular thermal equilibration in rat cremaster muscle.

A new experimental approach was developed to obtain the first direct measurements of the axial countercurrent thermal equilibration in a microvascular tissue preparation using high resolution infrared thermography. Detailed surface temperature measurements were obtained for an exteriorized rat cremaster muscle in which pharmacological vasoactive agents were used to change the local blood flow Peclet number from 1 to 14 in the feeding artery. Under normal conditions, only the 1A arteries (>70 μm diameter) showed thermal nonequilibration with the surrounding tissue. The theoretical model developed by Zhu and Weinbaum (28) for a two-dimensional tissue preparation with arbitrarily embedded countercurrent vessels was modified to include axial conduction and the presence of the supporting glass slide. This modified model was used to interpret the experimental results and to relate the surface temperature profiles to the bulk temperature profiles in the countercurrent artery and vein and the local average tissue temperature in the crosssectional plane. Surface temperature profiles transverse to the vessel axis are shown to depend significantly on the tissue inlet temperature. The eigenfunction for the axial thermal equilibration depends primarily on the blood flow Peclet number and the environmental convective coefficient. The theoretical results predict that when ρ ar *Pe is less than 1 mm (the range in our experiments), axial conduction is the dominant mode of axial thermal equilibration. For 1 < ρ ar *Pe < 3 mm, countercurrent blood flow becomes comparable to axial conduction, whereas, when ρ ar *Pe > 3 mm, countercurrent blood flow is the dominant mode of axial thermal equilibration. Therefore, for ρ ar *Pe > 3 mm the axial equilibration length is proportional to the blood flow Peclet number, as predicted previously by Zhu and Weinbaum in a study in which axial conduction was neglected. It also is shown that the axial decay of the tissue temperature at low perfusion rates can be described by a simple one-dimensional Weinbaum-Jiji equation with a newly derived conduction shape factor.
Distinctive Soft Tissue Tumors of the Head and Neck

Among soft tissue tumors as a whole, those in the head and neck region are relatively uncommon, and the proportion of all soft tissue sarcomas that arise in this region is <or=5-10% (although this figure is higher in children). With the exceptions of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and sinonasal hemangiopericytoma, most mesenchymal lesions are not truly distinctive to this site. This overview focuses on tumors that show a relative predilection for this region, including principally benign fibroblastic/myofibroblastic lesions, nerve sheath tumors, vascular tumors (both benign and malignant), and small round cell sarcomas, especially rhabdomyosarcoma in young patients. Important generalizations to bear in mind include the facts that (1) among spindle cell malignancies in the head and neck of adults, spindle cell carcinoma and melanoma are by far more common than sarcomas; (2) because of anatomic constraints and dramatic clinical presentation, the index of clinical suspicion for malignancy is often high; (3) certain subsets of benign mesenchymal lesions in this anatomic region frequently show pseudosarcomatous morphology; and (4) the ability to define or obtain an adequate surgical resection margin in this region is often very limited, hence issues of local control may supercede the importance of overall biologic/metastatic potential in some cases.
Assessing Faculty Learning Objectives—a Student Initiative

Faculty regularly review and update learning objectives for student learning activities such as lectures, small group sessions, on-line modules, and standardized patient or simulation encounters. The effectiveness of these learning objectives is linked to faculty evaluations in a general manner. The goal of this project was to assess the student-perceived usefulness of learning objectives, to provide feedback to faculty, and to determine if student-perceived usefulness of objectives was linked to student performance and faculty evaluations. An assessment tool was developed by students, revised, and validated prior to implementation during a 3-month study. Each learning objective was assessed during this period by members of the class (n = 242), and data were analyzed. The results demonstrate that particular types of objectives were identified as being more or less useful for student learning and that student perception of learning objectives varies from faculty intent. Analyses also showed students performed less well on questions linked to objectives considered less useful. However, performance was stratified into two cohorts. Stronger and weaker students performed well or less well, respectively.
Tissue-engineered osteochondral constructs in the shape of an articular condyle.

Background: An entire articular condyle engineered from stem cells may provide an alternative therapeutic approach to total joint replacement. This study describes our continuing effort to optimize the chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation from mesenchymal stem cells toward engineering articul
Liver transplantation in adults.

Human liver transplantation has been possible since 1967. We report our experience in 32 adult patients who received liver transplants at the University of Pittsburgh over a 16-month period. Survival data, method utilized for patient selection, costs, and morbidity of the procedure are discussed.
Asymptotic Decomposition of Differential Systems with Small Parameter in the Representation Space of Finite-dimensional Lie Group

Consider the nonlinear oscillator $$\begin{gathered} {{\dot x}_1} = {x_2} + \varepsilon {{\tilde \omega }_1}\left( {{x_1},{x_2}} \right), \hfill \\ {{\dot x}_2} = - {x_1} + \varepsilon {{\tilde \omega }_2}\left( {{x_1},{x_2}} \right), \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ where \({\tilde \omega _1},{\tilde \omega _2}\) are certain polynomials in x 1 and x 2.
He-atom scattering study of the vibrational modes of alkalis on Al(1 1 1)

Abstract He-atom scattering measurements were performed for various sodium, potassium and cesium adsorption structures on Al(1 1 1). Constant energy vibrational modes were observed to be a common feature for these structures. Such modes were observed for both the intermixed and the on-surface adsorption structures of Na, K, and Cs. This implies that the adatoms vibrate essentially independently of each other in a wide variety of structures and adsorption geometries, including top-site and substitutional-site geometries. The energies of these modes depend strongly on their polarization and the adsorption geometry, however. Connections are made between these data and those previously reported for alkali adsorption vibrational modes.
Monte Carlo calculation of multiple scattering effects in thermal neutron scattering experiments

Abstract Title of program: SLOW NEUTRON MULTIPLE SCATTERING Catalogue number: ACIC Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University of Belfast, N. Ireland (see application form in this issue) Computer: IBM 370/195; Installation: Argonne National Laboratory Operating system: OS/360, Release 21.7 Programming language used: FORTRAN IV High speed storage required: 75000 words. No. of bits in a word: 32 Overlay structure: None No. of magnetic tapes required: None Other peripherals used: Card reader, line printer, magnetic disk (up to three files) No. of cards in combined program and test deck: 5576 Card punching code: EBCDIC
The influence of oscillatory and steady shears on interfacial stability during directional solidification

Abstract A linear stability analysis is performed on the interface formed during the directional solidification of a dilute binary alloy in the presence of a weak, time-dependent flow. In one case, the flow is generated by a simple harmonic, lateral oscillation of the crystal, resulting in solidification into a compressed Stokes boundary layer. In a second, more general, case, the crystal also has a mean horizontal velocity. The presence of the flow can either stabilize or destabilize the two-dimensional system relative to the case with no flow, with the result depending on the Schmidt number, segregation coefficient, and the frequency of the oscillations.
The evolution of attitudes about social stratification : Why many people (including social scientists) are morally outraged by The Bell Curve

Abstract This article contends that genetic factors incline many people to adopt sociopolitical attitudes that are associated with moral outrage when confronted with arguments that human beings inherently differ in their abilities to compete for social status. I propose a theory of social stratification, which asserts that this is a genetically influenced response that has an evolutionary foundation. The theory envisions natural selection favoring the co-evolution of social hierarchies and sociopolitical attitudes, one consequence of which is that persons with strong altruistic tendencies (especially when directed toward nonrelatives) will be drawn into ‘helping occupations’ such as education and will also be prone to adopt left-wing sociopolitical attitudes. Therefore, some of the strongest resistance to arguments presented in publications such as Herrnstein and Murray's (Herrnstein & Murray, 1994) The Bell Curve will be found in the academic community itself. Overall, the present article contends that people's attitudes, including those of us in the social sciences, are influenced by genetics, and that one of the effects of these genes is to cause many of us to be highly resistant to any evidence supporting the hypothesis that genes have major influences on people's abilities to achieve high social status.
Seed Germination—The Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms

The chemical energy synthesized during photosynthesis as carbohydrates, lipids and proteins accumulates in seeds and provides a food source for animals. Seeds are also important genetic delivery systems essential for sustainable agriculture and environmental control. Genetic information in elite cultivars of crop species accumulated during breeding programs is distributed in the form of seeds. Ensuring successful germination and seedling establishment is a significant first step in agricultural production. The molecular and biochemical mechanisms of seed germination are not fully understood. Our knowledge of the interactions between the embryo, endosperm and testa has been advanced through tomato seed research, a model system for seed germination research. Recent discoveries using Arabidopsis thaliana have provided additional information about the molecular and genetic mechanisms of seed dormancy and germination. Genes expressed during seed development determine the size, shape and chemical properties of mature seeds and affect seed dormancy. In imbibed seeds, genes associated with hormone biosynthesis and degradation play critical roles in radicle emergence. The physical, chemical and physiological changes in the embryo, endosperm and testa, as well as the interactions between these tissues all contribute to successful germination. Recent literature on seed science research needs to be compiled to provide a clear picture for seed germination. Hypotheses to explain global mechanisms of seed germination are examined in this review.
Characterization of a THz CW spectrometer pumped at 1550 nm

Abstract We present an evaluation of a cost-effective THz CW spectrometer pumped at 1550 nm wavelengths with a fixed delay line. To study the spectral competence of the spectrometer, transmission data is obtained for various organic and inorganic samples. Spectral comparisons of the samples are presented by using THz time domain spectroscopy and vector network analyzer (VNA). Despite the capability of highly resolved transmission spectroscopy, our current system reveals the uncertainty in interferometric output data for phase analysis. Here, we identify the effect of fringing space of raw output data toward frequency resolution, phase analysis, and data acquisition time. We also propose the proper delay line setup for phase analysis for this type of spectrometers.
Arrays and cascades of fluorescent liquid-liquid waveguides: broadband light sources for spectroscopy in microchannels.

This paper describes the fabrication and operation of fluidic broadband light sources for use “on-chip” in integrated microanalytical systems. These light sources consist of liquid-core, liquid-cladding (L2) microchannel waveguides with liquid cores containing fluorescent dyes, excited by incident light from an external halogen bulb. Simultaneous use of multiple fluorophores in a common solution, in a single L2 light source, is not possible, because energy transfer from fluorophores emitting at shorter wavelength to fluorophores emitting at longer wavelength is essentially complete. Two approaches circumvent this problem of energy transfer; both use spatial separation of the fluorophores in different streams. The first setup uses a cascade (series) of single-core, single-dye light sources of increasing absorption energy to generate a combined broadband output. The second approach uses a parallel array of single-core, single-dye light sources. The spectral content of the light output for both cascade and a...
A high-intensity bowtie nano-aperture vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser for ultrahigh-density near-field optical data storage

We demonstrated a record-high-intensity bowtie nano-aperture vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with near-field spot size of 65 nm. The bowtie aperture VCSEL is very promising to realize ultradense near-field optical data storage.
A Microstrip Patch Electronically Steerable Parasitic Array Radiator (ESPAR) Antenna With Reactance-Tuned Coupling and Maintained Resonance

A new approach to parasitic phased-array antennas is presented. A symmetric two-layer, single-input inexpensive three-element array at 1-GHz employing varactors as tuning mechanisms are designed, fabricated, and measured. The driven element is mutually coupled to two parasitic elements in the H-plane. The varactors are used to control the mutual coupling and beam scanning and to maintain resonance at 1 GHz. A continuous scanning range of -15 + 15° is measured with maintained impedance matching and radiation pattern integrity. The low cost of diode varactors, used in place of expensive phase shifters, allows for more economic fabrication. This is advantageous to applications in point-to-point communication systems, weather, and target tracking radar systems.
Placebo-Controlled Study of Divalproex Sodium for Agitation in Dementia

The authors assessed the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of divalproex sodium for the treatment of agitation associated with dementia in a 6-week, randomized study of 56 nursing home patients with agitation and dementia treated with either placebo or individualized doses of divalproex sodium. Participants were blinded to treatment except for a physician-monitor and a pharmacist. When several covariates were taken into account, the drug/placebo difference in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale Agitation scores became statistically significant (P=0.05). Sixty-eight percent of patients on divalproex were rated as showing reduced agitation on the Clinical Global Impression scale, vs. 52% on placebo (P=0.06 in the adjusted analysis). Side effects occurred in 68% of the divalproex group vs. 33% of the placebo group (P=0.03) and were generally rated as mild. This placebo-controlled study, despite some limitations, suggests possible short-term efficacy, tolerability, and safety of divalproex for agitation in dementia and supports further placebo-controlled studies.
Co-evolutionary predictors for kinematic pose inference from RGBD images

Markerless pose inference of arbitrary subjects is a primary problem for a variety of applications, including robot vision and teaching by demonstration. Unsupervised kinematic pose inference is an ideal method for these applications as it provides a robust, training-free approach with minimal reliance on prior information. However, these methods have been considered intractable for complex models. This paper presents a general framework for inferring poses from a single depth image given an arbitrary kinematic structure without prior training. A co-evolutionary algorithm, consisting of pose and predictor populations, is applied to overcome the traditional limitations in kinematic pose inference. Evaluated on test sets of 256 synthetic and 52 real images, our algorithm shows consistent pose inference for 34 and 78 degree of freedom models with point clouds containing over 40,000 points, even in cases of significant self-occlusion. Compared to various baselines, the co-evolutionary algorithm provides at least a 3.5-fold increase in pose accuracy and a two-fold reduction in computational effort for articulated models.
Aspirin reduces platelet aggregation during high-energy excimer laser.

Background and Objectives Excimer laser is used clinically in arterial revascularization procedures. This study evaluated the efficacy of aspirin in reducing platelet aggregation during high-energy excimer lasing. Study Design/Materials and Methods Platelet rich plasma (PRP) from seven rabbits was circulated in a dual organ chamber with aspirin added to one and the other was control. PRP was irradiated using an excimer laser (308 nm; 45 mJ/mm2; 25 Hz; 5 minutes) via a 2.0 mm laser catheter. Platelet aggregation (particle volume) was measured by laser-light scattering. Morphology was evaluated by phase contrast and electron microscopy. Results Baseline platelet volume was 3.4 µm3 for both control and aspirin groups. Following lasing, platelet volume peaked at 102.2 ± 18.5 µm3 for control compared to 43.1 ± 49.2 µm3 for aspirin-treated PRP (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Aspirin reduces large platelet aggregates but not small aggregates by 58% during lasing of PRP. Lasers Surg. Med. 38:875–879, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Treatment with IL-17 prolongs the half-life of chemokine CXCL1 mRNA via the adaptor TRAF5 and the splicing-regulatory factor SF2 (ASF).

Interleukin 17 promotes antibacterial and antifungal immune defenses. Hamilton and colleagues show that it induces complexes of the adaptors Act1 and TRAF2 or TRAF5 that inhibit the mRNA-destabilizing action of the splicing factor SF2 (ASF), thereby prolonging the half-life of chemokine and cytokine mRNAs. Interleukin 17 (IL-17) promotes the expression of chemokines and cytokines via the induction of gene transcription and post-transcriptional stabilization of mRNA. We show here that IL-17 enhanced the stability of chemokine CXCL1 mRNA and other mRNAs through a pathway that involved the adaptor Act1, the adaptors TRAF2 or TRAF5 and the splicing factor SF2 (also known as alternative splicing factor (ASF)). TRAF2 and TRAF5 were necessary for IL-17 to signal the stabilization of CXCL1 mRNA. Furthermore, IL-17 promoted the formation of complexes of TRAF5-TRAF2, Act1 and SF2 (ASF). Overexpression of SF2 (ASF) shortened the half-life of CXCL1 mRNA, whereas depletion of SF2 (ASF) prolonged it. SF2 (ASF) bound chemokine mRNA in unstimulated cells, whereas the SF2 (ASF)-mRNA interaction was much lower after stimulation with IL-17. Our findings define an IL-17-induced signaling pathway that links to the stabilization of selected mRNA species through Act1, TRAF2-TRAF5 and the RNA-binding protein SF2 (ASF).
The Hamiltonian transformation in quadratic lie transforms

The algorithm for Hamiltonian transformation in the quadratic perturbation technique of one of the authors admits of various equivalent forms. Using as a criterion the number of inter-term multiplications required for transformation, however, the amount of effort required to obtain the transformed Hamiltonian is not equivalent among these forms. Each is considered in some detail, and general guidelines for the choice of ‘most efficient’ algorithm to be used in a given problem are provided. Their utility is demonstrated by application to Duffing's equation.
Throughput analysis of large wireless networks with regular topologies

The throughput of large wireless networks with regular topologies is analyzed under two medium-access control schemes: synchronous array method (SAM) and slotted ALOHA. The regular topologies considered are square, hexagon, and triangle. Both nonfading channels and Rayleigh fading channels are examined. Furthermore, both omnidirectional antennas and directional antennas are considered. Our analysis shows that the SAM leads to a much higher network throughput than the slotted ALOHA. The network throughput in this paper is measured in either bits-hops per second per Hertz per node or bits-meters per second per Hertz per node. The exact connection between the two measures is shown for each topology. With these two fundamental units, the network throughput shown in this paper can serve as a reliable benchmark for future works on network throughput of large networks.
Coherent photon radiation from nuclei as a probe of impact-parameter and nucleon-velocity distribution in ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions.

Photons which are coherently produced when nucleons are accelerated during the collisions of ultrarelativistic nuclei are studied as probes of the impact parameter of the collision and of the ra- pidity distribution of the recoil nucleons.
“Transference-fusion” in group dynamics:Implications for psychotherapy and education☆

Abstract The following is a brief theoretical discussion of Group Psychodynamics with emphasis on ‘transference-fusion’. It explores in further depth several ideas which I discussed in a previous paper referred to by Myra Levick in “Group Dynamics of Dependency and Counter-Dependency Manifested in Drawings of Graduate Art, Movement, and Music Therapy Students,” presented elsewhere in this issue of the Journal.
Some observations on surface damage during machining of a bearing bronze

Abstract The effect of the tool rake angle, depth of cut (feed), tool wear land length and cutting speed on the nature of the surface generated in machining a bearing bronze (free machining) under dry unlubricated orthogonal conditions was determined. Machined workpieces were examined with an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energydispersive X-ray analysis system. The surface roughness was determined with a profilometer. The results of the investigation show that during machining considerable surface damage in a wide variety of forms is produced. The intensity of the surface damage and the surface roughness increases with an increase in feed rate, an increase in rake angle and an increase in tool wear land length, but is independent of the cutting speed. The results also show that lead is readily lost from surface cavities and is deposited on the rake and flank faces of the cutting tool as a smeared layer. In addition, lead globules were found on the tool holder, the freshly machined workpiece surface and other regions close to the tool cutting action. The results are interpreted in terms of the type of chip produced, the stress concentrations associated with the presence of second-phase particles (lead) and the nature of the interaction between the tool cutting edge and the workpiece.
Fiscal decentralization and government size

Numerous studies have attempted to model the possible factors contributing to universal growth in public sectors. This paper analyzes one device that appears capable of controlling some of that growth: fiscal decentralization. The results reported here also support the use of monopoly government assumptions in models of public policy
pH regulation of voltage-dependent K+ channels in canine pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells.

Voltage-dependent K+ currents (Kv) may play a role in hypoxic pulmonary vaso constriction. The effects of changes in extracellular pH (pHo) and intracellular pH (pHi) on Kv currents in smooth muscle cells isolated from canine pulmonary artery were studied using the amphotericin B perforated-patch technique for whole-cell recording. Under these conditions, cellular mechanisms for pHi regulation remain intact, and the effects of pHo were examined by directly changing the pH of external solutions and changes in pHi were produced by external application of weak extracellular acids and bases and the cation/H+ ionophore, nigericin. Ca2+-free external solutions were used to isolate whole-cell Kv currents from contaminating Ca2+-activated K+ currents. Extracellular acidification (pHo = 6.4–7.0) reduced Kv currents, produced a positive voltage shift in steady-state activation and reduced maximum Kv conductance (-gK). Extracellular alkalinization (pHo = 8.0–8.4) increased Kv currents, produced a small negative voltage shift in steady-state activation, and increased -gK. Intracellular acidification produced by exposure of cells to external sodium butyrate (20 mM) or nigericin (5 μg/ml) increased Kv currents, produced a negative voltage shift in steady-state activation, and increased -gK. Intracellular alkalinization produced by exposure of cells to external trimethylamine (20 mM) reduced Kv currents, produced a small positive voltage shift in steady-state activation and reduced -gK. These results suggest that the effects of pHo and pHi on Kv currents are distinctly different, but are consistent with reported effects of pHo and pHi on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, suggesting that such modulation may be mediated in part by pH-induced alterations in Kv channel activity.
Genetic mapping, distribution, and properties of an aconitase isozyme in Anopheles albimanus (Diptera:Culicidae).

Electrophoretic analysis of the developmental stages and tissues of Anopheles albimanus showed that qualitatively similar allozymes of aconitase (Acon-2) occur at all stages, and the enzyme is widespread in every larval and adult tissues. Relative heat stabilities of the allozymes were investigated by electrophoresis of heated aqueous extracts and by heating the enzyme in situ in acrylamide gels after electrophoretic separation in Tris-citrate and Tris-maleate buffer systems. The pupal aconitase in the crude extract is more stable to heat than the larval and adult enzyme. The presence of citrate ions in the gel increased the stability of aconitase to heat. Studies of substrate specificities indicated that cis-aconitic acid is the best substrate but citric acid can also serve as a substrate. Zymograms developed with isocitric acid as a substrate showed no aconitase electromorphs and produced only isocitrate dehydrogenase bands. Aconitase has a pH optimum of 8.0 and this enzyme is completely inhibited if treated in situ with ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA), p-chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB), and urea at concentrations higher than 5mm, 5×10−5m, and 2 m, respectively. Acon-2100 and Acon-2105 do not respond differently to the above treatments. Genetic crosses involving a holandric translocation, pericentric inversions, visible mutants, and allozyme markers were analyzed to map the aconitase (Acon-2) locus on the left arm of chromosome 3. The gene sequence (and map distances) on 3L is centromere—esterase-8 (Est-8)—2—esterase-4 (Est-4)—25—esterase-2 (Est-2)—9—Acon-2—5—phosphoglucomutase (Pgm)—7—esterase-6 (Est-6).
Sequence analysis of the region downstream from a peptidoglycan hydrolase-encoding gene from Staphylococcus aureus NCTC8325

Abstract The nucleotide (nt) sequence of a 4.7-kb DNA fragment downstream from a peptidoglycan hydrolase-encoding gene ( lytA ) from Staphylococcus aureus NCTC8325 was determined. Sequencing revealed three open reading frames (ORFs) of 513, 447 and 879 bp with consensus ribosome-binding sites located upstream from the ATG start codons. Results from in vitro transcription-translation analysis and maxicell experiments suggested that the 447-bp ORF was the one being actively expressed. Comparison of the amino acid (aa) sequences of the ORFs with the aa sequences in the NCBI Entrez database (Release 4.0, April 1993) did not show any significant homology to any sequenced polypeptides. However, nt sequences downstream from lytA showed perfect homology to the bacteriophage φ11 attachment site ( attP ) and integration site ( attB ), and significant homology to downstream regions of the staphylokinase (safe) and exfoliative toxin A ( eta ) genes of S. aureus .
Lipophilicity of Selected Bile Acids as Determined by TLC. I

Abstract The selected bile acids were chromatographed on RP‐HPTLC plates using methanol–water in different volume proportions as mobile phases. The linear relationships were found between R M values of bile acids and the volume fraction of methanol in the mobile phase. The retention parameters R MW were extrapolated to zero methanol content and were compared with measured (log P exp), as well as calculated partition coefficients (IAlog P and log P Kowin). It was stated that the investigated bile acids might be considered as compounds belonging to the same group. The most significant correlation was found between the R MW and log P Kowin values. The results indicate that chromatographic R MW values may be used as a measure of lipophilicity of the investigated bile acids.
SAFE ADAPTIVE SWITCHING THROUGH INFINITE CONTROLLER SET: STABILITY AND CONVERGENCE

Abstract A primary goal of adaptive control is to achieve stability and asymptotically optimal performance, given the feasibility of adaptive control problem-defined as the existence of a stabilizing solution in a continuously parametrized controller set. A solution is proposed called safe adaptive control , which robustly achieves this goal without any assumptions other than feasibility. Specifically a list of the required properties of the cost function is formulated. The paper builds on the previous results in Stefanovic et al. (2004) and Morse et al. (1992). The previous results are generalized here by allowing the class of candidate controllers to be infinite. The problem is motivated by a model-mismatch stability failure associated with a multitude of adaptive control schemes.
Migrant Membership as an Instituted Process: Transnationalization, the State and The Extra‐Territorial Conduct of Mexican Politics1

How should we conceptualize membership, citizenship and political community in a world where migrants and their home states increasingly maintain and cultivate their formal and informal ties? This study analyzes the extra-territorial conduct of Mexican. politics and the emergence of new migrant membership practices and relations between migrants and home states. Standard globalist, transnationalist or citizenship theories cannot properly contextualize and analyze such practices. I propose that we rethink the concept of membership in a political community not only as a Marshallian status granted by states, but also as an instituted process embedded within four other institutions and processes: home state domestic politics; the home state's relationship to the world system; a semi-autonomous transnational civil society created in part by migration; and the context of reception of migrants in the United States. A main conclusion is that the state itself plays a key role in creating transnational political action by migrants and new migrant membership practices. The article draws on printed sources and interviews and ethnography done since 1990.
Solar ultraviolet irradiation of human cornea, lens, and retina: equations of ocular irradiation

Photochemical damage of ocular tissues by solar radiation depends on the spectral composition of the radiation in the environment, the geometry of the coupling of that radiation to the eye, the spectral transmittances of the ocular components and any auxiliary lenses used, the spectral sensitivity of the irradiated tissue, the accumulated exposure dose, and the action of repair processes. This paper provides formulas for quantitative estimation of corneal, lenticular, and retinal UV irradiances from the sunlit environment under clear sky conditions. Applications of these formulas for ocular irradiation will be presented in subsequent papers for the cornea, lens, and retina, and the results will be evaluated using weighting functions for the sensitivity of ocular tissue.
Does corticosterone mediate bidirectional interactions between social behaviour and blood parasites in the juvenile black iguana, Ctenosaura similis ?

Abstract Complex bidirectional interactions between host social behaviour and infectious organisms (parasites) can be mediated by alterations in host glucocorticoid ‘stress’ hormones. As a result, an animal's social behaviour may affect its susceptibility to parasitism, and its infection status may influence its social behaviour. Our field study of behaviour, hormones and parasites in free-living juvenile male black iguanas revealed a pattern of significantly lower levels of the primary reptilian glucocorticoid, corticosterone (B), in lizards infected with either ticks or blood parasites than in uninfected lizards. To clarify both the mechanisms underpinning this association and the interaction of social behaviour with B and parasites, we conducted an experimental study in which lizards were stocked singly in field enclosures in one of the following four treatments: (1) unmanipulated; (2) implanted with B; (3) implanted with saline; and (4) exposed to a conspecific intruder. We sampled B and blood parasite levels periodically over the course of 4 weeks for each treatment. Lizards that were infected with blood parasites on the day of capture showed a significant increase in B after captivity in the enclosures, whereas uninfected lizards showed no such response. Lizards that were exposed to conspecific intruders showed a significant increase in B relative to controls, and residents that engaged in low levels of aggression showed significantly higher levels of B than residents that engaged in high levels of aggression. However, none of the experimental treatments affected the likelihood of acquiring a new blood parasite infection.
Health-Related Social Influence: A Social Ecological Perspective on Tactic Use

The present study investigated predictors of health-related social influence tactic use in close relationships. According to the social ecological perspective, predictors were classified as reflecting characteristics of the agent of social influence, characteristics of the target of social influence, characteristics of the agent and target's relationship, and characteristics of the social influence situation. One hundred and nine married couples reported on situations in which each partner was attempting to influence his or her spouse to change a health-related behavior. Using the actor-partner interdependence analysis approach, results revealed only actor effects for characteristics of the agent, primarily partner effects for characteristics of the target, and both actor and partner effects for characteristics of the situation when predicting health-related tactic use. Effects for relationship characteristics only emerged in interactions with respondent sex. These results indicate that social influence i...
The Use of Imaging in the Early Development of Neuropharmacological Drugs: A Survey of Approved NDAs

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of imaging in the development of neuropharmacological drugs. All New Drug Applications (NDAs) approved from 1995 through 2004 in the Division of Neuropharmacological Drug Products at the Food and Drug Administration were surveyed for imaging studies. Imaging literature was also reviewed with respect to antipsychotics and antidepressants. One hundred and six NDAs (35 new molecular entities (NMEs)) were approved; 15 of these NDAs (10 NMEs) had imaging studies. The primary imaging modality was positron emission tomography. Imaging was primarily conducted for drugs used in schizophrenia, depression, multiple sclerosis, and migraine. The majority evaluated receptor occupancy or proof of concept. Examples (including literature) are discussed as pertinent to dosage, efficacy, safety, or further development of a drug or class of drugs. Imaging contributes to optimal clinical development of central nervous system (CNS)-active drugs. Opportunities are available for its broader use, contributing to improved understanding of the clinical pharmacology of CNS-active drugs.
Catechol Oxidase in the Byssus of the Common Mussel, Mytilus Edulis L.

The common mussel inhabits an environment of fluctuating temperatures, salinities and water turbulence. To help cope with these stresses, mussels have evolved some extraordinary structural and biochemical adaptations. The production of the byssus is one such adaptation. The byssus is a complex array of threads and adhesive plaques that serves alternatively to attach the mussel to solid objects, to absorb shock, or to scale a vertical face (Waite, 1983 a; Price, 1983). Because of its location outside the animal's living tissues, the byssus cannot count on the same kind of repair and remodelling offered to structures within the animal. The byssus is thus confronted with two conflicting demands. One is to be a mechanically dynamic structure shielding the animal against the buffeting impact of waves; the other is to be chemically inert towards the hydrolytic action of sea water and microbial enzymes.
Incidental anorectal pathologic findings in prostatic needle core biopsies: a 13-year experience from a genitourinary pathology consult service

Fragments of anorectal mucosa are frequently present in transrectal prostate core biopsy specimens. Pathologic findings within the anorectal mucosa are easily overlooked, in part because of their rarity and because anorectal mucosa is not the focus of examination. We reviewed pathologic reports of 96,656 prostate biopsies diagnosed in our consultation service from 1997 to 2010. Anorectal lesions were detected in 30 cases, which were summarized as follows: (1) Neoplasia and polyps (n = 10). A flat rectal adenoma with high-grade dysplasia was identified, for which the patient received hemicolectomy. One patient was found to have a rectal carcinoid tumor. Other neoplastic findings included 1 with low-grade B-cell lymphoma, 3 with hyperplastic polyps, 3 with tubular adenomas, and 1 with anal mucosa with high-grade dysplasia that was found to be a contaminant from another case. (2) Inflammatory changes (n = 20). Acute proctitis was found in 12 patients, including 1 with acute radiation proctitis, 2 with inflammatory bowel disease, and 9 with nonspecific proctitis probably due to bowel preparation. Pulse granulomas and nonnecrotizing granulomas were seen in 5 patients, including 3 with diverticular disease, 1 with history of perirectal fistula, and 1 with unknown etiology. Three patients had miscellaneous findings including muciphage reaction, increased eosinophils, and features of collagenous colitis. In conclusion, it is exceedingly rare to find significant pathology in the rectal fragments associated with prostate needle biopsies. Nevertheless, pathologists should evaluate the rectal mucosa for both neoplastic and inflammatory changes to avoid missing clinically significant anorectal diseases.