cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solid-state 11B NMR studies of coinage metal complexes containing a phosphine substituted diboraanthracene ligand.

Transition metal interactions with Lewis acids (M → Z linkages) are fundamentally interesting and practically important. The most common Z-type ligands contain boron, which contains an NMR active 11B nucleus. We measured solid-state 11B{1H} NMR spectra of copper, silver, and gold complexes containing a phosphine substituted 9,10-diboraanthracene ligand (B2P2) that contain planar boron centers and weak M → BR3 linkages ([(B2P2)M][BArF4] (M = Cu (1), Ag (2), Au (3)) characterized by large quadrupolar coupling (CQ) values (4.4–4.7 MHz) and large span (Ω) values (93–139 ppm). However, the solid-state 11B{1H} NMR spectrum of K[Au(B2P2)]− (4), which contains tetrahedral borons, is narrow and characterized by small CQ and Ω values. DFT analysis of 1–4 shows that CQ and Ω are expected to be large for planar boron environments and small for tetrahedral boron, and that the presence of a M → BR3 linkage relates to the reduction in CQ and 11B NMR shielding properties. Thus solid-state 11B NMR spectroscopy contains valuable information about M → BR3 linkages in complexes containing the B2P2 ligand.
The Statistical Analysis of Interval-censored Failure Time Data

Inference for Parametric Models and Imputation Approaches.- Nonparametric Maximum Likelihood Estimation.- Comparison of Survival Functions.- Regression Analysis of Current Status Data.- Regression Analysis of Case II Interval-censored Data.- Analysis of Bivariate Interval-censored Data.- Analysis of Doubly Censored Data.- Analysis of Panel Count Data.- Other Topics.
"Manna for the Entire World" or "Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself"--Comment on Neumeier v. Kuehner

A car, owned and driven by a New York resident and registered and insured in New York, collided with a train in Ontario, Canada. Both the New York host-driver and the Ontario guest-passenger were killed in the accident. The Ontario passenger's estate brought a wrongful death action in New York against the New York driver's estate. Under New York law, ordinary negligence on the part of the deceased host-driver would suffice to entitle the guest-passenger's estate to recover damages for wrongful death. Ontario, however, has a guest statute which provides that the owner or driver of a motor vehicle is not liable for damages resulting from injury to, or the death of, a guest-passenger unless he was guilty of gross negligence. This law-fact setting pits an Ontario plaintiff, who is suing in New York on the basis of New York law (the lex fori), against a New York defendant, who seeks to rely on Ontario law (the lex loci delicti) as a defense. Could any of those "learned but eccentric professors who theorize about mysterious matters in a strange and incomprehensible jargon,"' i.e., Conflict of Laws teachers, ever aspire to construct a tort conflicts case better suited for classroom discussion?
A Node-Centric Reputation Computation Algorithm on Online Social Networks

In online social networks, reputations of users (nodes) are emerged and propagated through interactions among the users. These interactions include intrinsic and extrinsic consensus (voting) among neighboring users influenced by the network topology. We introduce an algorithm that considers the degree information of nodes (users) to model how reputations spread within the network. In our algorithm, each node updates reputations about its neighbors by considering the history of interactions and the frequency of the interactions in recent history. The algorithm also captures the phenomena of accuracy of reputations deteriorating over time if interactions have not occurred recently. We present the following two contributions through experiments: (1) We show that an agent’s reputation value is influenced by the position of the node in the network and the neighboring topology; and (2) We also show that our algorithm can compute more accurate reputations than existing algorithms especially when the topological information matters. The experiments are conducted in random social networks and Autonomous Systems Network of the Internet. In addition, we show the efficacies of each component in our algorithm and present their effects on the algorithm.
Spatial Heterogeneity of Water Quality Parameters

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the spatial heterogeneity of water quality parameters. The nature of the data and the reasons for the analysis determine the methods used for characterizing heterogeneity, for which three broad classes of procedures are available: (1) grouping methods, (2) spatial autocorrelation methods, and (3) methods that involve fitting a function for the relationship between a water quality parameter and location, with or without the assumption of independence. Many dimensions of water quality data sets make analysis difficult. Data is often collected to meet objectives related to monitoring the change in water quality conditions that are necessarily too general to be of help in reducing the dimensions of the problem. Thus, cluster analysis and related methods that do not use the spatial location but can be used to examine the structure of multivariate data are complementary to the univariate methods that use the spatial location.
Micromachining Techniques and MEMS Structures in Optical Interferometric Sensors

This chapter examines the contribution of micromachining techniques in the specific context of fiber optically interrogated interferometer sensing technology. We focus on the sensing principles based on physical or mechanical effects that change the effective refractive index or phase of an optical signal induced by motion or deformation of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) structures. Many physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, force, and acceleration can be converted to a displacement or strain. Traditionally, fiber optically interrogated sensors are preferred over conventional electrical (piezoresistive, piezoelectric etc.) sensors in specific applications where small size, light weight, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), compatibility with next-generation fiber-optic networks, and high temperature tolerance are required. Acquiring accurate, transient measurements in harsh environments of high-EM fields, vibration, and temperature, has pushed the limits of available sensor technologies. This has resulted a relatively a new sensor technology where a micromachined sensor element (or chip) “extrinsic” to an optical fiber is interrogated using an optical fiber (Figure 1). Although the fiber is not used as a sensor itself, its role is nevertheless very important for the operation of these sensors. By optically transmitting the measurement information without any electronics or optical source at the measurement site, it enables remote sensing with a virtually infinite transmission bandwidth and use of the sensor in harsh environments where electronics cannot operate. The micromachined sensor elements can contain integrated optic (IO) components such as optical waveguides and/or micro-mechanical structures such as diaphragms, cantilevers, and beams and are linked by optical fibers to a remote light source and receiver. Open image in new window FIGURE 1 Fiber optically interrogated micromachined “extrinsic” sensors in (a) reflective mode and (b) transmissive mode.
Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in Adults with Transposition of the Great Arteries: A Review of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Placement

Transposition of the great arteries encompasses a set of structural congenital cardiac lesions that has in common ventriculoarterial discordance. Primarily because of advances in medical and surgical care, an increasing number of children born with this anomaly are surviving into adulthood. Depending upon the subtype of lesion or the particular corrective surgery that the patient might have undergone, this group of adult congenital heart disease patients constitutes a relatively new population with unique medical sequelae. Among the more common and difficult to manage are cardiac arrhythmias and other sequelae that can lead to sudden cardiac death. To date, the question of whether implantable cardioverter-defibrillators should be placed in this cohort as a preventive measure to abort sudden death has largely gone unanswered. Therefore, we review the available literature surrounding this issue.
Renal cell carcinoma: A comprehensive genetic map.

5691 Renal cell carcinoma is the 10 th most common cancer consisting of several pathological subtypes. We have attempted to create a comprehensive gene expression map that will assist in diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic selection in RCC. We performed expression profiling for 300 kidney specimens (150 clear cell, 38 papillary, 20 chromophobe, 25 metastatic, 4 collecting duct RCC, 20 oncocytoma, 21 Wilms’ tumors, 10 unclassified, and 12 noncancerous renal samples) with Affymetrix HGU133 Plus 2.0 oligonucleotide arrays (54,675 probe sets). We performed both clara and hierarchical clustering on the data set filtered for variation, selected discriminating gene clusters by principal component analysis, and annotated these clusters with the goCluster Bioconductor packages with a false discovery rate of 0.01. In addition, we also correlate the long-term clinical follow-up data in 150 cases of clear cell and papillary RCC with expression data. Comparative genomic microarray analysis was used to infer cytogenetic profiles for the array profiles. To identify potential developmental pathways activated in the separate subtypes, we identified genes activated in every individual RCC subtypes. All array profiles grouped by histology on principal component analysis. We identified a large number of functionally distinct genetic modules of co-expressed genes in the data set, one such example being a distinct angiogenic 21-transcript cluster activated in clear cell RCC, well-known as a hypervascular cancer characterized by dysregulation of hypoxia-response pathways. We additionally generated a 3-transcript predictor that was able to classify the various epithelial RCC subtypes with high accuracy. We report multiple regional expression biases characteristic of each subtype, corresponding to both established and novel cytogenetic aberrations. Finally, we identified the prognostic sets of genes for both clear cell and papillary RCC. We present a comprehensive expression map of kidney cancer, with ontological annotation of co-expressed genetic modules, as well as corresponding inferred cytogenetic profiles. This has allowed the generation of clinically useful predictors of histology and their prognosis. Additionally, we highlight kinases, developmental genes and pathways that potentially participate in tumor progression in each subtype of epithelial RCC which may also serve as potential therapeutic targets.
A temporal assessment of flooding fatalities in Pakistan (1950–2012)

Pakistan is a developing nation that has historically been subjected to high flooding fatality events due to its socioeconomic characteristics, population geography, and landscape attributes. Flooding in Pakistan has historically resulted from heavy rain events or periodic landfalling tropical cyclones that have afflicted the nation throughout its history. This study aggregates flooding events in Pakistan over a 62-year period to identify peak years and seasonal cycles of when flood-related fatalities have historically been highest in the nation. Seasonally, Pakistan is especially prone to flood disasters during the summer monsoon months, and also during the months of November and December, when tropical cyclone activity periodically impacts the nation. Some of the earlier flooding events have not been well documented with respect to specific months or dates of occurrence, and have therefore been excluded from the seasonal analysis portion of the study. Over the past 60 years, exceptionally high numbers of flood-related fatalities occurred in the years 1950, 1965, and 2010; peak fatality flood years are mostly attributed to single catastrophic events caused primarily by large-scale river floods or landfalling tropical cyclones.
The Near-Infrared Y2Σ+–X2Π Transition of CuSe

Abstract The near-infrared Y 2 Σ + – X 2 Π transition of the diatomic molecule CuSe was observed for the first time. A King-type carbon tube furnace was used to produce the gas phase of the CuSe molecules. The Fourier transform spectrometer associated with the National Solar Observatory, Kitt Peak, Arizona was used to record the molecular emission spectrum in the region 9850–12 400 cm −1 . A vibronic analysis and comparisons of the spin–orbit constant and the 2 Σ + transition energy to those for related isovalent molecules are presented.
Just small potatoes (and ulluco)? The use of seed-size variation in “native commercialized” agriculture and agrobiodiversity conservation among Peruvian farmers

Farmers of the Peruvian Andesmake use of seed-size variation as a source offlexibility in the production of ``nativecommercial'' farmer varieties of Andeanpotatoes and ulluco. In a case study of easternCuzco, the use of varied sizes of seed tubers isfound to underpin versatile farm strategiessuited to partial commercialization (combinedwith on-farm consumption and the next season'sseed). Use of seed-size variation also providesadaptation to diverse soil-moistureenvironments. The importance and widespread useof seed-size variation among farmers isdemonstrated in the emphasis and consistency oflinguistic expressions about this trait. Smalland small-medium seed is typically sown in thecommunity's ``Hill'' unit of sub-humid,upper-elevation agriculture. Seed tubers ofmedium-size and larger are needed fordrought-stressed locales in lower-elevationlandscape units. Farm-level preferences for theseed-size of tubers also suggest potentialrelations to resource endowments of farmhouseholds and gender-related management,although these tendencies were notstatistically significant in the study. Anintra-varietal, landscape-environmentalperspective on seed-size management, whichincludes an emphasis on within-fieldversatility, helps to strengthen the researchsupport of local seed production in policiesand programs aiming for in situagrobiodiversity conservation, marketingcapacity, and food security.
Computer solution of electrostatics problems using schwarz-christoffel mapping technique

In this article we discuss the suitability of using a new MATLAB toolbox for teaching several undergraduate engineering courses. This toolbox, which is based on the Schwarz-Christoffel transformation of the complex variable theory, numerically solves the conformal mapping of many complex domains to the upper half-plane. The toolbox allows a computer solution to many complex problems in areas such as electromagnetics and fluid mechanics. It is the purpose of this article to show the usefulness of this toolbox in introducing these advanced topics to the undergraduate students.
Synthesis and reactivity of icosahedral molybdenum-monocarbaborane complexes containing one or two intramolecular amino bridges

The room-temperature reaction of Li2[7-NMe3-nido-7-CB10H10] with [Mo(CO)4{NH(CH2)5}2] in THF (THF = tetrahydrofuran), followed by oxidation with CF3SO3Me or CH2CHCH2Br, gives the anion [2,3-µ-{N(CH2)5}-2,2,2-(CO)3-closo-2,1-MoCB10H10]−, isolated as the [N(PPh3)2]+ salt 3a. This salt may similarly be isolated following the direct reaction of 7-NMe3-nido-7-CB10H12 with [Mo(CO)4{NH(CH2)5}2] in refluxing THF. An X-ray diffraction study confirmed the absence of the C–NMe3 group in the anion and formation of an intramolecular piperidinyl bridge between molybdenum and boron. The related compound [N(PPh3)2][1-NH2-2,3-µ-{N(CH2)5}-2,2,2-(CO)3-closo-2,1-MoCB10H9] 4 is obtained from Li[7-NH2-nido-7-CB10H12] with [Mo(CO)4{NH(CH2)5}2] in refluxing THF. Treatment of 3a or 4 with {M(PPh3)}+ (M = Cu, Ag) yields heterobimetallic complexes containing direct Mo–M bonds, of which [2,7,11-{Cu(PPh3)}-7,11-(µ-H)2-2,3-µ-{N(CH2)5}-2,2,2-(CO)3-closo-2,1-MoCB10H8] has been studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. In THF solution, 4 is oxidized by iodine or N-chlorosuccinimide affording the MoIV species [1,2-µ-NH2-2,3-µ-{N(CH2)5}-2,2-(CO)2-2-X-closo-2,1-MoCB10H9] (X = I, Cl, respectively). An X-ray diffraction study of the iodo derivative showed that it contained two intramolecular amino bridges between cage vertices and molybdenum. Treatment of these species with PEt3 in refluxing THF leads to displacement of a carbonyl ligand rather than an amino bridge.
Mechanisms of immunity in typhus infection: adoptive transfer of immunity to Rickettsia mooseri.

When nonimmune guinea pigs are inoculated intradermally (i.d.) with Rickettsia mooseri (R. typhi), the rickettsiae replicate at the site of inoculation, leading to the development of a grossly observable lesion. In contrast, guinea pigs which have recovered from R. mooseri infection are resistant to challenge and prevent both rickettsial growth and the formation of lesions. To study the mechanisms of this immunity, sera or splenic cells collected from nonimmune or immune guinea pigs were inoculated separetely into nonimmune recipients. Splenic cells collected from immune donors protected R. mooseri-naive recipients from i.d. challenge as measured by control of rickettsial growth and by prevention of development of lesions at i.d. sites of inoculation. In contrast, serum from immune and nonimmune doners failed to protect nonimmune recipients by either criterion.
Respiratory epithelium inhibits bronchial smooth muscle tone

The aim of the present study was to determine whether or not the respiratory epithelium can modulate the responsiveness of bronchial smooth muscle. Paired rings of canine bronchi (4–6 mm OD), in so...
Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia in cancer: a case series

Abstract Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is an infrequently encountered clinical condition that can mimic a number of other pathologic lung processes. The presentation of this treatable condition in cancer patients has not been described in any large series. We conducted a retrospective study of patients with BOOP at Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, U.S.A. from January 1992 to December 1999. The type and treatment of primary cancer, clinical and radiographic features of initial BOOP presentation, and outcome following therapy were recorded. Forty-three patients with an underlying diagnosis of cancer were found on lung biopsy to have BOOP as an isolated entity. BOOP was encountered in patients with a variety of clinical presentations, and many types of malignancies. The symptom patterns were non-specific, as were the physiological abnormalities. The only clear relationship between the underlying malignancy and the diagnosis of BOOP at presentation was in the chest radiographic findings. Patients with solid organ tumors were more likely to have nodular or mass like radiographic abnormalities (81%) than to have diffuse infiltrates (19%). We observed the opposite pattern in patients with hematologic malignancies (22% vs .67%). The vast majority of patients recovered from this condition. In conclusion, For cancer patients, BOOP represents a treatable cause of lung disease with protean manifestations. BOOP can mimic pulmonary malignancy and pulmonary infection. In cancer patients, the evaluation of new pulmonary symptoms accompanied by radiographic changes should include a consideration of this diagnosis.
Techniques for enhancing neuronal evolvability

Abstract High dimensionality and interactional complexity, appropriately introduced, can enhance the evolvability of a pattern processing network. We describe a processor, referred to as the cytomatrix module, that can be used to investigate the requisite conditions for such enhancement. The processor is characterized by multiplicity of component types, graded interactions among components, separation of signal integration dynamics from the readout mechanisms that interpret these dynamics, and multiplicity of parameters open to evolution (including component connectivity). The adaptation procedure is mediated by a multiparameter variation–selection algorithm that acts on the various parameters in an alternating (i.e., phasic) manner. Experiments with both structured and unstructured learning tasks, as well as with difficult parity problems, demonstrate that opening more parameters to evolution increases the flexibility exhibited by the processor in response to evolutionary pressure, essentially by loosening the coupling between the local and global aspects of the response. The cytomatrix processor can be thought of as a highly abstracted representation of signal integration within single neurons; alternatively, it can be viewed as a collection of cells in a multicellular organization.
Sensitivity analysis of different methods of coding taxonomic polymorphism: an example from higher-level bat phylogeny

New information concerning strengths and weaknesses of different methods of coding taxonomic polymorphisms suggests that results of some previous studies may have been unintentionally biased by the methods employed. In this study, we demonstrate that a form of sensitivity analysis can be used to evaluate the effects of different methods of coding taxonomic polymorphisms on the outcome of phylogenetic analyses. Our earlier analysis of higher-level relationships of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) employed superspecific taxa as terminals and scored taxonomic polymorphisms using ambiguity coding. Application of other methods of dealing with polymorphisms (excluding variable characters, inferring ancestral states, majority coding) to the same data yields phylogenetic results that differ somewhat from those originally reported based on ambiguity coding. Monophyly of some clades was supported in all analyses (e.g., Microchiroptera, Rhinopomatoidea, and Nataloidea), while other groups found to be monophyletic in the original study (e.g., neotropical Nataloidea) appeared unresolved or nonmonophyletic when other methods were used to code taxonomic polymorphisms. Several groupings that were apparently refuted in the initial study (e.g., Noctilionoidea including Mystacinidae) were supported in some analyses, reducing some of the apparent incongruence between the trees in our earlier analysis (which were based principally on morphology) and other trees based on molecular data. Perceived support for various groupings (branch support, bootstrap values) were in some cases significantly affected by the methods employed. These results indicate that sensitivity analysis provides a useful tool for evaluating effects of different methods of dealing with taxonomic polymorphism in superspecific terminal taxa. Variation in results obtained with different methods suggests that it is always preferable to sample at the species level when higher-level taxa exhibit taxonomic polymorphism, thus avoiding methodological biases associated with different methods of dealing with taxonomic polymorphisms during data analysis.
An Application of Social Learning Theory in Affecting Change in a Group of Student Teachers Using Video Modeling Techniques.

This research was conducted to determine the extent to which imitation can be employed in the education of student teachers. A pretest-posttest control group design was employed. A 20-minute, video taped, model teacher demonstration with a high I/D ratio was shown to twenty Ss. Another twenty Ss were exposed to a neutral movie. Specific lessons by the Ss were then audio taped and analyzed using the I/D and revised I/D ratios. Analysis of covariance revealed significant differences existing between treatment groups where posttesting was done within 48 hours after exposure. Results support earlier findings on imitation and suggest both theoretical and technical application for teacher education.
Multiparameter radar measurements in Colorado convective storms. Part I. Graupel melting studies

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of coordinated measurements taken by the NCAR CP-2 radar and the Wyoming King Air aircraft flown by NCAR during the May Polarization Experiment, which was held new Boulder, Colorado. A key feature of this paper is the rigorous computation Of ZH, ZDR and LDR using an electromagnetic model that is coupled to a detailed one-dimensional microphysical model of melting graupel. The graupel melting model was initialized with aircraft-measured graupel spectrum and sounding data. Two case studies during MAYPOLE '83 were considered where model-derived vertical profiles of ZH and ZDR were computed and compared to radar measurements, resulting in excellent agreement. The RHI profiles of ZH, ZDR and LDR through the core of an isolated convective storm revealed new and interesting microphysical data which are consistent with model computations. The radar measurements and model results of this paper show that a significant breakthrough has been made in the radar remote sensing of...
Lateral compositional modulation in lattice-matched GalnP/GaAs heterostructures

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy has been employed to study the microstructure of GaAs lattice-matched GaInP heterostructures grown by solid source molecular beam epitaxy. It is found that the GaInP epilayers undergo lateral compositional modulation at a growth temperature of 520°C. The modulating spacing is irregular, varying between 5.0–15.0 nm. The compositional difference in the two decomposed phases is estimated between 0.14–2.1 at.%, which is far from thermal equilibrium. High-resolution TEM observation shows that, corresponding to the contrast modulation, there exist considerable lattice distortions nearly parallel to the growth direction inside the GaInP epilayers. In the distorted regions, dislocations of 60°-type are frequently observed. Factors that may contribute to the compositional modulation are discussed.
A database scale-out solution for emerging write-intensive commercial workloads

Among the increasing number of online businesses, a series of write-intensive commercial workloads are emerging recently on the Internet. These workloads generate many more write transactions on the backend database than read transactions. Most of such workloads require the database to handle high-volume write transactions in real-time. Based on the observation on the workloads, this paper proposes a multi-tier database scale-out architecture with the write caching technology. Our preliminary result shows that the database scale-out architecture can handle extremely high-volume write transactions with excellent scalability.
Conductance in very clean quantum wires and rings

We have observed clear Aharonov–Bohm oscillations in single and multiply connected rings with up to 20% modulation in conductance. The oscillations persist over a very wide range of conductance (0.1–2.0 e2/h) controlled with a gate. Conductance steps as a function of gate bias are observed for the first time in relatively long single and multiple parallel wires and rings. In 2–4 μm long wires, the conductance steps are in multiples of 2e2/h. In the case of the rings, steps of 0.8 and 1.2 e2/h are observed in one and two loops, respectively.
Rett syndrome: neurobiological changes underlying specific symptoms.

Abstract Rett syndrome (RS) is a progressive disorder that is predominant in females. It is associated with cortical atrophy, stereotyped hand movements mimicking hand-washing, severe mental deficiency, and cortical and extrapyramidal dysfunction. The cause of RS is unknown; no consistent genetic abnormalities, at either the cellular or mitochondrial levels, have been identified. The diagnosis still depends solely upon clinical evidence. The clinical progression of RS is consistent with an arrested neuronal development that may be due to either impaired cellular differentiation or the lack of appropriate trophic factors. Neuropathological studies have confirmed (1) a generalized brain atrophy involving the cerebrum and cerebellum; (2) a decrease in neuronal cell size and increased cell packing density throughout the brain; (3) a reduction in the number of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons; (4) a reduction in the concentration of melanin-containing neurons in the substantia nigra. Biochemical studies have identified (1) a decrease in cholinergic markers in the neocortex, hippocampus, thalamus and basal ganglia; (2) inconsistent and variable changes in biogenic amine biomarkers in post-mortem tissues and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); (3) an elevation of β-endorphin levels in the thalamus and glutamate levels in the CSF; (4) no evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction. These data suggest that there is a primary deficit in cholinergic function that might underlie some of the higher cognitive impairments and extrapyramidal dysfunction. Overall, the clinical, biochemical and neuropathological data suggest that RS is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has its greatest effects upon a limited number of neural systems during the first few years of postnatal life. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Extramammary Paget's Disease in Males: Survival Outcomes in 495 Patients

Extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) is a rare intraepithelial malignancy with poorly described outcomes. EMPD in men is primarily found in the perianal and penoscrotal areas. We assessed incidence and time trends of EMPD in men as well as extent and predictors of survival using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. The data from 18 SEER registries were queried for men diagnosed with EMPD from 1973 to 2009. Cases were categorized by primary skin location: perianal, penoscrotal, and other truncal. Additional data included age, race, presence of another cancer, tumor stage, and treatment (surgery, radiation, combination). Kaplan–Meier, univariate, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted. Incidence rates of EMPD in men have been increasing with an annual percent change of +3.2 % (p < .0002) since 1978. Incidence of EMPD in blacks was nearly four times lower (p = .0003) and in Asians/Pacific islanders four times higher (p < .0001), relative to whites. Overall survival among 495 patients was 60.2 % at 120 months postdiagnosis. On multivariate analysis, significant factors negatively impacting survival were primary site in the perianal region compared to penoscrotal and truncal lesions (both p < .001), age older than 75 years (p < .001), and presence of distant versus localized disease (p = .018). Survival did not differ by race or presence of additional cancer. Survival in men with EMPD is lower among those with distant disease and primary tumors located in the perianal region. The reasons for increasing EMPD incidence over time and for the racial disparities in disease occurrence require further study.
Toward identifying process models in ad hoc and distributed teams

This article reports work on first steps toward characterizing a negotiation process model for ad hoc and distributed groups or teams, so that automation can more accurately track the states of a negotiation from human discourse. We devised three experimental scenarios and ran human subject experiments that involved group decision-making and consensus building. Our experiments showed that the communication patterns of successful distributed ad hoc teams differed in two significantly different conditions. We describe our motivations, experimental design and results.
Origin and synthesis of α-macrofetoprotein in Zajdela ascites hepatoma-bearing rats

Abstract Both host liver and hepatoma cells synthesize α-macrofetoprotein and albumin in rats transplanted with Zajdela ascites hepatoma cells. Failure to detect α-fetoprotein in either the serum or ascitic fluid of these tumor-bearing animals suggests that these hepatoma cells have lost their capacity to produce this fetoprotein without affecting their malignant properties. Evidence that α-macrofetoprotein did not appear in the ascitic fluid before it became bloody, and was not secreted from Zajdela ascites hepatoma cells incubated in vitro suggests that (1) most of the α-macrofetoprotein found in the serum and ascitic fluid of rats with this hepatoma originates from the host liver rather than from the tumor cells and (2) secretory mechanisms for serum proteins are defective in Zajdela ascites hepatoma cells.
Brain penetration of methadone (R)- and (S)-enantiomers is greatly increased by P-glycoprotein deficiency in the blood-brain barrier of Abcb1a gene knockout mice.

Methadone maintenance treatment is complicated by the wide variability of efficacy among patients. The large interindividual variability of the plasma concentrations of methadone was previously thought to be responsible for the variable therapeutic efficacy. However, recent studies suggested that methadone may be a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Therefore, the function of P-gp in blood–brain barrier (BBB) may affect the concentration of methadone at its site(s) of action in the central nervous system, thereby contributing to its therapeutic efficacy and/or adverse events. To investigate the effect of P-gp on brain penetration of methadone (R)- and (S)-enantiomers and their major oxidative metabolite 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP). We compared the tissue distribution of methadone (R)- and (S)-enantiomers and EDDP in the Abcb1a−/− gene knockout mice and the Abcb1a+/+ wild-type mice 1 h following intraperitoneal administration of 15 μg Rac-methadone/g mouse. Plasma concentrations of (R)- and (S)-methadone were similar between the two animal groups. However, the brain concentrations of (R)- and (S)-methadone in the Abcb1a−/− mice were markedly higher (15- and 23-fold, respectively, P<0.0001) than those of the Abcb1a+/+ wild-type mice. No statistically significant difference was found for other organs between the mutants and controls. No organ difference was found for EDDP between the mutants and controls. (R)- and (S)-methadone are substrates of P-gp. The P-gp in BBB greatly limits the brain entry of (R)- and (S)-methadone to their central nervous system acting sites. The interindividual variation in expression of P-gp in BBB may represent a source of variation for the access and effects of methadone in the brain.
Earthscope—An NSF priority that needs congressional support

EarthScope is a proposed multidisciplinary observing system designed to study how the North American continent is deforming in response to ongoing plate tectonics. Arrays of seismometers will move across the contiguous 48 states and Alaska over a 10-year period to image features that make up the internal structure of the continent and underlying mantle (from “crust to core”). Simultaneously networks of Global Positioning System receivers and strainmeters will measure the rates at which plate tectonic forces are changing the continent, and how geological structures respond to these forces. Space-based Synthetic Aperture Radar will map changes in the Earth's surface before, during, and after major earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, while a four-kilometer-deep observatory bored directly into the San Andreas fault will explore the physical conditions that control earthquake nucleation and fault rupture.
Mitochondria respiration and susceptibility to ischemia–reperfusion injury in diabetic hearts☆

Cardiovascular complications are the primary cause of death for diabetic patients. Clinical and experimental observation has showed the development of dysfunctional cardiomyopathy as one of the main complications of diabetes. Whether the cardiomyopathy results from an increased susceptibility of cardiac tissue to ischemic insult or from a specific functional defect of cardiac mitochondria is a controversial issue. The investigation of possible functional defect in cardiac mitochondria from diabetic rats indicates a decline in state 3 respiration only in animals presenting a marked decrease in body weight. Mitochondria from rats presenting a level of hyperglycemia similar to diabetic animals but not the marked weight loss typical of the latter group show no decline in state 3 respiration, the values being indistinguishable from those of control mitochondria. Mitochondria from hyperglycemic rats, however, show a 15-20% increase in state 4 oxygen consumption but only when glutamate is used as energetic substrate, as compared to a 40-50% increase in state 4 respiration in mitochondria from diabetic rats under similar experimental conditions. This phenomenon is unrelated to diabetes duration, as it is observed at 2 as well as 8 weeks after diabetes onset. Taken together, these data argue against hyperglycemia per se being a direct cause of the decline in state 3 oxygen consumption observed in cardiac mitochondria of type-I diabetic rats and indicate that differences exist in cardiac mitochondrial function in rats generically labeled as diabetic. These differences can contribute to explain discrepancies in experimental results reported by various groups in the field and provide an additional parameter to be taken into consideration in evaluating the varying sensitivity of diabetic hearts to ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Analysis and synthesis of a slider-crank mechanism with a flexibly-attached slider

Abstract The mechanism examined is the common slider-crank mechanism connected in series with a spring and mass, where the spring represents elasticity between the mechanism and an inertial load. Analysis of the mechanism is discussed and a method of approximate synthesis that utilizes precision conditions is developed. The driving crank rotates at constant speed. Friction is assumed small. An example problem is worked.
A Hydrodynamic Model for Hindered Diffusion of Proteins and Micelles in Hydrogels

Recently, several papers have been published that address the important topic of hindered diffusion of macromolecules in hydrogels. Two papers in particular, by Johnson et al. (1996) and Clague and Phillips (1996), present models of hindered diffusion that account for hydrodynamic interactions, albeit in different ways. The model of Johnson et al. (1996) makes use of an effective medium approach based on Brinkman's equation, whereas Clague and Phillips (1996) explicitly calculate those interactions for a spherical solute suspended in a liquid-filled, three-dimensional medium of randomly placed cylindrical fibers.
The Paramour’s Advantage: Sexual Favoritism and Permissibly Unfair Discrimination

Despite the prevalence of sexual favoritism in the workplace, there is much debate over whether this phenomenon rises to the level of prohibited discrimination and harassment. While the United States Supreme Court has not yet involved itself in adjudicating issues of sexual favoritism, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, however, has issued guidelines. The California Supreme Court recently addressed the “sexual favoritism as sexual harassment/discrimination” issue and, absent better guidance from the federal courts, the California decision provides interesting insights for the legal and business communities. This article explores key issues involving workplace romances, sexual favoritism, and Title VII’s prohibition of sexual harassment as an illegal form of discrimination based on sex. We use the recent California Supreme Court decision in Miller to illustrate the legal and managerial challenges facing policy makers and management practitioners. We conclude with a discussion of policy alternatives for creating a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace while effectively managing workplace romances and instances of sexual favoritism.
Aerosol Optical Retrieval and Surface Reflectance from Airborne Remote Sensing Data over Land

Quantitative analysis of atmospheric optical properties and surface reflectance can be performed by applying radiative transfer theory in the Atmosphere-Earth coupled system, for the atmospheric correction of hyperspectral remote sensing data. This paper describes a new physically-based algorithm to retrieve the aerosol optical thickness at 550nm (τ550) and the surface reflectance (ρ) from airborne acquired data in the atmospheric window of the Visible and Near-Infrared (VNIR) range. The algorithm is realized in two modules. Module A retrieves τ550 with a minimization algorithm, then Module B retrieves the surface reflectance ρ for each pixel of the image. The method was tested on five remote sensing images acquired by an airborne sensor under different geometric conditions to evaluate the reliability of the method. The results, τ550 and ρ, retrieved from each image were validated with field data contemporaneously acquired by a sun-sky radiometer and a spectroradiometer, respectively. Good correlation index, r, and low root mean square deviations, RMSD, were obtained for the τ550 retrieved by Module A (r2 = 0.75, RMSD = 0.08) and the ρ retrieved by Module B (r2 ≤ 0.9, RMSD ≤ 0.003). Overall, the results are encouraging, indicating that the method is reliable for optical atmospheric studies and the atmospheric correction of airborne hyperspectral images. The method does not require additional at-ground measurements about at-ground reflectance of the reference pixel and aerosol optical thickness.
The Reaction of Psoralens and Related Benzofurans with Singlet Oxygen An Account of Current Research

Recent work dealing with the role of singlet oxygen in the biological activity of the psoralens has been reviewed. The reaction of singlet oxygen with benzofurans gives products which result from initially formed dioxetanes. Evidence for dioxetane intermediates was obtained from experiments using diphenyl sulfide as a trapping agent. Psoralen derivatives which contain alkyl or aryl groups on the furan double bond react readily with singlet oxygen to give dioxetane cleavage-type products. Psoralens which lack furan substituents but possess powerful electrondonating groups in the 5- and 8-positions give rise to peroxidic intermediates which are stable only at low temperature.
Weak decay amplitudes in large Nc QCD

A systematic analysis of nonleptonic decay amplitudes is presented using the large N/sub c/ expansion of quantum chromodynamics. In the K-meson system, this analysis is applied to the calculation of the weak decay amplitudes, weak mixing and CP violation. 10 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.
Reclaiming Mobility: Japanese American Travel Writing after the Internment

‘Reclaiming Mobility: Japanese American Travel Writing after the Internment’ argues that Japanese American writers have infused various forms of literature from memoir to autobiographical poetry with images of mobility and the discourse of travel writing in order to assert and comment upon their status in a country that once saw ft to incarcerate them en masse and without due process. While other literary critics have said much about Japanese Americans and the history, memory and social consequences of internment, this essay concentrates on movement (or its opposite, stasis), since movement or the lack thereof is central to every aspect of the internment from relocation to incarceration to resettlement and, in some cases, return to the site of internment. To this end, writers including Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, Wataru Ebihara and Munio Makuuchi have echoed and referenced John Steinbeck's novel about a family escaping from the Dust Bowl, Michel de Certeau's concept of the walker, and Pico Iyer's observatio...
Midbrain contributions to sensorimotor decision making

Making decisions about future actions is a fundamental function of the nervous system. Classical theories hold that separate sets of brain regions are responsible for selecting and implementing an action. Traditionally, action selection has been considered the domain of high-level regions, such as the prefrontal cortex, whereas action generation is thought to be carried out by dedicated cortical and subcortical motor regions. However, increasing evidence suggests that the activity of individual neurons in cortical motor structures reflects abstract properties of “decision variables” rather than conveying simple motor commands. Less is known, though, about the role of subcortical structures in decision making. In particular, the superior colliculus (SC) is critical for planning and initiating visually guided, gaze-displacing movements and selecting visual targets, but whether and how it contributes more generally to sensorimotor decisions are unclear. Here, we show that the SC is intimately involved in orienting decisions based on odor cues, even though the SC does not explicitly process olfactory stimuli. Neurons were recorded from the intermediate and deep SC layers in rats trained to perform a delayed-response, odor-cued spatial choice task. SC neurons commonly fired well in advance of movement initiation, predicting the chosen direction nearly 1 s before movement. Moreover, under conditions of sensory uncertainty, SC activity varied with task difficulty and reward outcome, reflecting the influence of decision variables on the intercollicular competition thought to underlie orienting movements. These results indicate that the SC plays a more general role in decisions than previously appreciated, extending beyond visuomotor functions.
The Dying Fall: John Gardner's October Light

When October Light appeared in 1976, few recognized it as an observance of the Bicentennial-perhaps because it did not conform to the general vulgarity of that year-long festival of chauvinism. Gardner expressed his own disgust at Bicentennial excess when a character in his novel discovers a picture of the Boston Tea Party on a matchbook cover. "Everywhere you looked, it was the Bicentennial. Did people have no fucking shame?"' Gardner celebrated the nation's twohundredth birthday more thoughtfully. He set the action of his novel in the days just before the general election of 1976 and peopled it with characters embodying not only the forces that created the American nation, but also those that-for better or worse-were reshaping it. Seventy-two-year-old James Page, born on the Fourth of July, embodies the Yankee virtues traditionally associated with the American ethos: honesty, frugality, self-reliance. But these virtues can harden in a nation as in a man into self-righteousness, parsimony, and a general failure of compassion. Page's heart, like the Vermont landscape in winter, has undergone "locking." Narrow, opinionated, and embittered, he rails against labor unions, welfare, Democrats, television, and
PHOTOMOVEMENT, PIGMENTATION AND UV‐B SENSITIVITY IN PLANARIA

— Four differently pigmented species of planarians were examined for UV-B (Λ= 320 280 nm) tolerance and ability to delect and avoid UV-B-exposed areas. It was found that lighter-pigmented species are more UV sensitive and that movement out of the UV-B is directly related to UV sensitivity. Three species showed positioning preference corresponding to their pigmentation; the darker the species, the less avoidance of UV-B. The white (unpigmented) species showed exceptional and very sensitive behavior.
Psychosocial Factors in Child Safety Restraint Use

Within the past 3 years, a majority of states have passed laws requiring children riding in automobiles to be properly restrained in safety devices. Several studies indicate that such laws have only a modest effect on the number of children being properly protected. To determine factors associated with safety restraint use a telephone interview survey was conducted with 211 residents of a state that has had a child safety restraint law in effect for two years. Several hypotheses derived from the Health Belief Model were tested. The model was generally supported, but will require some revision to explain a routine and repetitive behavior such as safety seat use. While strong general resistance to government intervention in family behavior was found, this did not translate into resistance of safety seat laws.