cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrical properties of prostatic tissues: II. Spectral admittivity properties.

Purpose: The electrical properties of prostate tissues gauged at discrete frequencies provide sufficient contrast to discriminate malignant from benign prostatic tissues. The frequency dependence of these properties is also a function of tissue morphology. We evaluated the potential of this spectral dependence to provide additional diagnostic information for prostate cancer detection.Materials and Methods: Electrical conductivity and permittivity were recorded from 50 ex vivo prostates at 31 logarithmically spaced frequencies of 100 Hz to 100 kHz. We used a well established, 4 parameter (σ∞, Δσ, fc and α) model to describe individual spectra with each model parameter influenced by tissue morphology. We evaluated these parameters in terms of discriminatory power using ROC curves.Results: Of the 4 spectral parameters σ∞ and fc were significantly greater in cancer than in benign tissues and Δσ was significantly more negative in cancer than in benign tissues (each p <0.0001). fc provided the maximum discrimin...
Temperature dependent biaxial texture evolution in Ge films under oblique angle vapor deposition

Abstract The morphology and texture of Ge films grown under oblique angle vapor deposition on native oxide covered Si(001) substrates at temperatures ranging from 230 °C to 400 °C were studied using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray pole figure techniques. A transition from polycrystalline to {001} biaxial texture was observed within this temperature range. The Ge films grown at substrate temperatures
Patterns of coalition formation by adult female baboons in Amboseli, Kenya

Coalitionary support in agonistic interactions is generally thought to be costly to the actor and beneficial to the recipient. Explanations for such cooperative interactions usually invoke kin selection, reciprocal altruism or mutualism. We evaluated the role of these factors and individual benefits in shaping the pattern of coalitionary activity among adult female savannah baboons, Papio cynocephalus, in Amboseli, Kenya. There is a broad consensus that, when ecological conditions favour collective defence of resources, selection favours investment in social relationships with those likely to provide coalitionary support. The primary features of social organization in female-bonded groups, including female philopatry, linear dominance hierarchies, acquisition of maternal rank and well-differentiated female relationships, are thought to be functionally linked to the existence of alliances between females. Female savannah baboons display these characteristics, but the frequency and function of their coalitionary aggression is disputed. In our five study groups, 4e6% of all disputes between females led to intervention by third parties. Adult females selectively supported close maternal kin. There was no evidence that females traded grooming for support or reciprocated support with nonkin. High-ranking females participated in coalitionary aggression most frequently, perhaps because they derived more benefits from group membership than other females did or could provide support at lower cost. Females typically supported the higher ranking of two contestants when they intervened in disputes between subordinates, so most coalitions reinforced the existing dominance hierarchy. Results indicate that female baboons participate in coalitionary aggression in a manner strongly influenced by nepotism and individual benefits.
Using lobster noses to inspire robot sensor design

Robots are needed to locate the sources of toxic chemical plumes. Lobsters, which track odor plumes for many ecologically crucial activities, can provide inspiration for robot designers. Before accurate search strategies for robots can be developed, how odor molecules are captured by the lobster's chemosensors must be understood. A recent study by Koehl et al. shows how lobster olfactory antennules alter the patterns of concentration in turbulent odor plumes during odor sampling.
Ionospheric signatures of solar-wind magnetosphere interaction in dayside aurora

Determining the mechanism which produces poleward-moving auroral forms (PMAFs) is a very controversial topic. Satellites have recorded flux erosion at the dayside magnetopause. Some studies have shown possible connections between PMAFs and flux transfer at the dayside magnetopause. More evidence is needed before poleward-moving auroral forms can be linked to the flux transfer events seen by satellites. This paper presents some new results from a statistical study on PMAFs. This statistical study has identified 476 PMAFs from twelve years of ground-based optical data. From this data base a time distribution between successive PMAF events is presented. The mean time found between successive PMAF events is 6 minutes. A comparison between the distribution of inter-FTEs intervals at the magnetopause found by Lockwood and Wild and the intervals between PMAF events in the ionosphere is shown. This correlation may provide more evidence for linking PMAFs to flux transfer at the magnetopause.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Numerical studies of bubble formation dynamics in gas-liquid-solid fluidization at high pressures

Abstract A discrete phase simulation (DPS) is conducted to investigate multi-bubble formation dynamics in gas–liquid–solid fluidization systems. A numerical technique based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the discrete particle method (DPM) and volume tracking represented by the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method is developed and employed for the simulation. A bubble-induced force (BIF) model, a continuum surface force (CSF) model, and Newton's third law are applied to account for the couplings of particle–bubble, bubble–liquid and particle–liquid interactions, respectively. A close-distance interactive effect between colliding particles is considered in the formulation of the particle–particle collision model. Two-dimensional simulations of the behavior of bubble formation from multi-orifices in liquids and liquid–solid suspensions are conducted at high pressures up to 19.4 MPa under constant gas flow conditions. Experiments are also conducted in this study to quantify the bubble formation behavior from a single orifice under comparable gas flow conditions. The study indicates that the liquid flow dynamics induced by adjacent bubbles and bubble wake significantly affects the multi-bubble formation process. The simulation results on the initial bubble size and bubble formation time under various pressures and solids hold-up are found to be in good agreement with those obtained experimentally as well as those predicted based on the analytical model developed earlier by the authors.
A Micrographic Study of Wear of Graphite

THE sheet-structure of graphite is well known1 : upon microscopic examination of crystalline fragments, individual sheets exhibit some properties of a tough membrane when not torn transversely. Individually they may be lifted or peeled to uncover a flat surface, which is highly reflecting, and in thin layers transparent.
Why I am not a right‐winger: A response to David Horowitz

Abstract Although occasioned by the publication by David Horowitz of his book, Radical Son: A Generational Odyssey, this essay is not restricted to the assessment of Horowitz's arguments alone. Rather, an attempt is made to review, in a schematic way, various facets of the experience of the “New Left” and of the Cold War in order to confront what the author believes are widely circulating myths about both, some of which permeate Horowitz's own treatment of these matters, and others of which have much wider currency in American political dialogue.
The Analysis of Bureaucratic‐Professional Conflict: Functional Versus Dialectical Approaches*

The study of bureaucratic-professional conflict has generated empirical findings which strain the explanatory capacities of the functional scheme which has guided much of the research. It is argued...
An analysis of shallow spheroidal shells by a semi-inverse contour method

Abstract This paper presents a linear analysis of a shallow prolate spheroidal shell with a planar elliptical boundary. The shell is subjected to a uniform load, q , and clamped along the boundary. The theory used in this paper is characterized by the well known Mushtari-Donnell-Vlasov equations which consist of a compatibility equation and an equilibrium equation where the normal displacement, w , and a stress function, φ , are the dependent variables. The method employed for the solution of this problem is developed in three major stages. The first stage involves the determination of w , under the assumption that the contours of w be ellipses concentric to the boundary. The second stage is devoted to the determination of a stress function φ , which, together with w , satisfies the MDV compatibility equation exactly. The third stage of the development is concerned with the computation of a loading, q ∗ , which, together with w and φ , satisfies the equilibrium equation exactly and which is nearly equal to the desired uniform loading q .
The metabolic fate of arachidonic acid applied to potato tuber slices

Abstract The metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) and other selected fatty acids by potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber slices was followed with the use of radioactive labeled substrates. The predominant metabolites observed were glyceries. Significant quantities of the unmetabolized acids were also recovered. None of the expected AA metabolites such as hydroperoxides or cyclopentenones that are produced by cell-free systems could be detected under the incubation conditions. The elicitor activity of the fatty acids could not be correlated with their rate of metabolism.
On the use of spiral antennas in ultra-wideband communication links

This paper discusses the pulse distortion of two-arm spiral antennas in ultra-wideband (UWB) communication links and mitigation thereof by modifying the antenna so that phase and amplitude distortions are accounted for by the aperture itself. A new spiral topology, named power-spiral, is introduced to reduce the effect of the phase distortions. When combined with classical Archimedean spiral, this antenna has simultaneously high-quality time and frequency domain performance. To compensate the amplitude distortion resulting from frequency-dependent path loss of a UWB communication channel, lens-loaded spiral and spiral array are investigated. Obtained results clearly show the time-domain performance improvement with all studied approaches.
Nerve growth factor induces Fos-like immunoreactivity within identified cholinergic neurons in the adult rat basal forebrain

Abstract Immunocytochemical techniques were used to examine and compare the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of nerve growth factor (NGF) on Fos expression within identified cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons located in different regions of the adult rat basal forebrain. Animals were killed 1, 3, 6, and 12 h after receiving NGF (0.5 or 5.0 μg) or vehicle into the left lateral ventricle and sections through the medial septum, diagonal band of Broca, nucleus basalis magnocellularis, and striatum were processed for the combined immunocytochemical detection of Fos and choline acetyltransferase (a marker for cholinergic neurons), or Fos and parvalbumin (a marker for gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing neurons). NGF produced a significant increase in the percentage of cholinergic neurons containing Fos-like immunoreactivity within all four regions examined. The largest increases were detected in the medial septum (47.8%) and the horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca (67.7%). In these areas, NGF-mediated induction of Fos-like immunoreactivity was detected as early as 3 h, peaked at 6 h, and was reduced by 12 h, postinfusion. Small but significant increases in the percentage of cholinergic neurons containing Fos-like immunoreactivity were also detected in the striatum (4.2%) and in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (19.2%) 3–12 h following administration of the higher dose of NGF. No evidence for an NGF-mediated induction of Fos within parvalbumin-containing neurons was detected in any of the four regions at any of the time-points examined; however, evidence for an NGF-mediated induction of Fos within epithelial cells lining the lateral ventricle was observed. These data demonstrate that NGF induces Fos expression within cholinergic, and not parvalbumin-containing (GABAergic), neurons in the basal forebrain, and furthermore that intracerebroventricular administration of NGF influences the different subgroups of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons to different degrees. ©1977 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Do antidepressants have an analgesic effect in psychogenic pain and somatoform pain disorder? A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE A significant amount of evidence indicates that some antidepressants have an analgesic effect. We wished to determine whether this analgesic effect could be demonstrated in studies that had used antidepressants for the treatment of pain in patients diagnosed with psychogenic pain or somatoform pain disorder. Meta-analysis was used for this purpose. METHODS All randomized, placebo-controlled antidepressant treatment studies of patients diagnosed with psychogenic pain disorder or somatoform pain disorder were isolated. These studies were reviewed and relevant statistics were coded. For each study, a single p value for the drug/placebo comparison was found or calculated for pain change scores from pretreatment to completion of treatment. The z scores and effect sizes were calculated for each study, followed by a calculation of an overall z score and effect size. RESULTS Eleven studies fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. The combined difference showed that antidepressants decreased pain intensity in patients with psychogenic pain or somatoform pain disorder significantly more than placebo (z = 5.71, p<.0001). The overall effect size was large (mean = 0.48) and ranged from 0 to 0.91. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that, in patients diagnosed with psychogenic pain or somatoform pain disorder, antidepressant treatment resulted in a reduction in pain that was significantly greater than that of placebo. Possible explanations for these results are discussed.
(S_3)^3 Theories of Flavor

I present a supersymmetric theory of flavor based on the discrete flavor group $(S_3)^3$. The model can account for the masses and mixing angles of the standard model, while maintaining sufficient sfermion degeneracy to evade the supersymmetric flavor problem. I demonstrate that the model has a viable phenomenology and makes one very striking prediction: the nucleon decays predominantly to $K l$ where $l$ is a {\em first} generation lepton. I show that the modes $n \rightarrow K^0 \bar{\nu}_e$, $p\rightarrow K^+ \bar{\nu}_e$, and $p\rightarrow K^0 e^+$ occur at comparable rates, and could well be discovered simultaneously at the SuperKamiokande experiment.
Testosterone Concentration in the Male Chick Brain: An Autoradiographic Survey

Differential uptake of [ 3 H]testosterone in male chick brain was found in periventricular areas of preoptic-hypothalamic continuum. Concentration of silver grains for all decapitation periods was especially high in the medial preoptic area, particularly the nucleus praeopticus paraventricularis magnocellularis. Distribution of testosterone-sensitive cells is in agreement with studies showing neuroanatomical control of reproductive behavior by the avian forebrain.
Oscillatory flow through submerged canopies: 1. Velocity structure

[1] Many benthic organisms form very rough surfaces on the seafloor that can be described as submerged canopies. Recent evidence has shown that, compared with a unidirectional current, an oscillatory flow driven by surface waves can significantly enhance biological processes such as nutrient uptake. However, to date, the physical mechanisms responsible for this enhancement have not been established. This paper presents a theoretical model to estimate flow inside a submerged canopy driven by oscillatory flow. To reduce the complexity of natural canopies, an idealized canopy consisting of an array of vertical cylinders is used. The attenuation of the in-canopy oscillatory flow is shown to be governed by three dimensionless parameters defined on the basis of canopy geometry and flow parameters. The model predicts that an oscillatory flow will always generate a higher in-canopy flow when compared to a unidirectional current of the same magnitude, and specifically that the attenuation will monotonically increase as the wave orbital excursion length is increased. A series of laboratory experiments are conducted for a range of different unidirectional and oscillatory flow conditions, and the results confirm that oscillatory flow increases water motion inside a canopy. It is hypothesized that this higher in-canopy flow will enhance rates of mass transfer from the canopy elements, a problem formally investigated in a companion paper (Lowe et al., 2005b).
Investigation into the evolution of corrosion product layer (CPL) of 1018 C-steel exposed to multiphase environment using FIB and EIS techniques

Abstract This communication reports into the effects of flow, fluid composition and the effectiveness of imidazoline inhibitors on the evolution and distribution of corrosion products on 1018 C-steel exposed to CO2 corrosion. Focused ion beam technique was used to measure the thickness of the corrosion product layer (CPL), in contrast to the conventional techniques used to observe the cross-section of specimens. Morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy revealed topographical variations on the surface with the change in the multiphase environment. The CPL was found to be more porous in nature with the presence of oil in the multiphase environment. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also used in the present study to measure the corrosion rates and was subsequently correlated to the CPL evolution for 1018 C-steel in multiphase environment.
Observation and interpretation of an unusual electric field gradient property in SbCl3 · C6H5NH2

Abstract The 121Sb, 123Sb, and 35Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance spectrum of the antimony trichloride-aniline ( 1 1 ) complex is reported. The coupling constants for 123Sb and 123Sb are respectively 326.2 and 416.1 MHz and the asymmetry parameter is 0.03 ± 0.008. This very small asymmetry parameter is surprising in light of the asymmetric environment of Sb revealed by the crystal structure. Point charge and tangential sphere-point charge model calculations were carried out on the complex and reveal the cause of the small asymmetry parameter to be a fortuitous balancing of the electric field gradient components from the external atoms as a result of their arrangement. Both models are completely consistent with small antimony asymmetry but suggest that small distortions from the structure could produce substantial field gradient asymmetry at antimony.
Remediation of memory disorders in schizophrenia.

Background. Memory deficits are commonly experienced by patients with schizophrenia, often persist even after effective psychotropic treatment of psychotic symptoms and have been demonstrated to interfere with many aspects of successful psychiatric rehabilitation. Because of significant impact on functional outcome, effective remediation of cognitive deficits has been increasingly cited as an essential component of comprehensive treatment. Efforts to remediate memory deficits have met with circumscribed success, leaving uncertain whether schizophrenia patients can be taught, without experimental induction, independently to employ semantic encoding or a range of other mnemonic techniques.Method. We examined the feasibility of using memory and problem solving teaching techniques developed within educational psychology – techniques which promote intrinsic motivation and task engagement through contextualization and personalization of learning activities – to remediate memory deficits in a group of in-patients with chronic schizophrenia spectrum disorders.Results. Although our memory remediation group significantly improved on the memory remediation task, they did not make greater gains on measures of immediate paragraph recall or list learning than the control groups.Conclusions. Targeted remediation of memory appears to yield task specific improvement but the gains do not generalize to other memory tasks. Subjects receiving memory remediation failed to independently activate mnemonic encoding strategies learned and used successfully within training tasks to other general measures of verbal learning and memory.
Tungsten ion implantation of aluminum for improved resistance to pitting corrosion — Electrochemical testing results

The greatly accelerated localized corrosion of aluminum in salt solutions has been observed and combated for many years. The susceptibility to pitting attack has been linked to the presence of chloride ions in the solution. Alloying additions to aluminum for improved corrosion resistance are restricted due to its limited solubility for passivating species such as chromium and molybdenum. However, many recent attempts to produce non-equilibrium alloys with these and other species, both through sputtering techniques and by rapid solidification, have met with very promising pitting resistance enhancements. The most dramatic increase in passivity is demonstrated by a thin co-sputtered film of Al and 9 atomic percent W, in which the pitting potential is increased by 2600 m V relative to pure Al. Recent efforts to extrapolate the promising W-Al thin film results to a bulk aluminum alloy using tungsten ion implantation are discussed here.
Decay of K mesons as a test of the universal Fermi interaction

On the basis of current experimental evidence, there is no distinction between µ mesons and electrons other than a difference in rest mass. Electromagnetic interactions are identical since electrons and µ mesons have the same charge, and the hypothesis of a universal Fermi interaction, which asserts that they couple in exactly the same way in the weak interactions, has received considerable support by comparing β-decay phenomena with the decay of free µ mesons and µ capture in nuclei. An at least equally fruitful series of experiments for reassuring one about the validity of the universal interaction idea is the analysis of the decays of µ and K mesons into electrons and µ mesons. The details of such individual decays are not easily obtained theoretically, since they presumably involve strongly coupled virtual particles; however, the ratio of decay rates into electron modes and µ-meson modes may often be calculated exactly with no assumptions beyond saying that the weak interaction is local and may be treated in first order, and that the weak interaction is the same for electrons and µ mesons.(1)
Evaluation and Management of Elbow Tendinopathy

Context:Elbow tendinopathy is a common cause of pain and disability among patients presenting to orthopaedic surgeons, primary care physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of these conditions facilitates a directed treatment regimen. A thorough understanding of the natural history of these injuries and treatment outcomes will enable the appropriate management of patients and their expectations.Evidence Acquisitions:The PubMed database was searched in December 2011 for English-language articles pertaining to elbow tendinopathy.Results:Epidemiologic data as well as multiple subjective and objective outcome measures were investigated to elucidate the incidence of medial epicondylitis, lateral epicondylitis, distal biceps and triceps ruptures, and the efficacy of various treatments.Conclusions:Medial and lateral epicondylitis are overuse injuries that respond well to nonoperative management. Their etiology is degenerative and related to repetitive overuse and unde...
Resource Limitation Issues In Real-Time Intelligent Systems

This paper examines resource limitation problems that can occur in embedded AI systems which have to run in real-time. It does this by examining two case studies. The first is a system which acoustically tracks low-flying aircraft and has the problem of interpreting a high volume of often ambiguous input data to produce a model of the system's external world. The second is a robotics problem in which the controller for a robot arm has to dynamically plan the order in which to pick up pieces from a conveyer belt and sort them into bins. In this case the system starts with a continuously changing model of its environment and has to select which action to perform next. This latter case emphasizes the issues in designing a system which must operate in an uncertain and rapidly changing environment. The first system uses a distributed HEARSAY methodology running on multiple processors. It is shown, in this case, how the com-binatorial growth of possible interpretation of the input data can require large and unpredictable amounts of computer resources for data interpretation. Techniques are presented which achieve real-time operation by limiting the combinatorial growth of alternate hypotheses and processing those hypotheses that are most likely to lead to meaningful interpretation of the input data. The second system uses a decision tree approach to generate and evaluate possible plans of action. It is shown how the combina-torial growth of possible alternate plans can, as in the previous case, require large and unpredictable amounts of computer time to evalu-ate and select from amongst the alternative. The use of approximate decisions to limit the amount of computer time needed is discussed. The use of concept of using incremental evidence is then introduced and it is shown how this can be used as the basis of systems that can combine heuristic and approximate evidence in making real-time decisions.
A priori error estimates for interior penalty versions of the local discontinuous Galerkin method applied to transport equations

The local discontinuous Galerkin method has been developed recently by Cockburn and Shu for convection-dominated convection-diffusion equations. In this article, we consider versions of this method with interior penalties for the numerical solution of transport equations, and derive a priori error estimates. We consider two interior penalty methods, one that penalizes jumps in the solution across interelement boundaries, and another that also penalizes jumps in the diffusive flux across such boundaries. For the first penalty method, we demonstrate convergence of order k in the L∞(L2) norm when polynomials of minimal degree k are used, and for the second penalty method, we demonstrate convergence of order k+1/2. Through a parabolic lift argument, we show improved convergence of order k+1/2 (k+1) in the L2(L2) norm for the first penalty method with a penalty parameter of order one (h−1). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 17: 545–564, 2001
Energy-speed exploration for very-wide range of dynamic V-F scaling

Minimum-energy operation of digital CMOS circuits is commonly associated to the sub-VT regime, carrying huge performance and variability penalties. This paper shows that it is possible to achieve 8x higher energy-efficiency with a very-wide range of dynamic voltage-frequency scaling, from nominal voltages down to the lower boundary of near-VT operation. The cell-library is exercised in a 65nm commercial PDK and targets near-VT operation, mitigating the variability effects without compromising the design in terms of area and energy at strong inversion. The set of cells allows a maximum of 2-stacked transistors, and includes master-slave registers. We report results for medium complexity designs which include a 25kgates notch filter, a 20kgates 8051 compatible core, and 4-combinational/4-sequential ISCAS benchmark circuits. In this work the maximum frequency attainable at each supply for a wide variation of voltage is studied from 150mV up to nominal voltage (1.2V). The sub-VT operation is shown to hold the minimum energy-point at roughly 0.29V, which represents a 2x energy-saving compared to the near-VT regime. Although energy-efficiency peaks in sub-VT for the circuits studied, we also show that in this ultra-low Vdd the circuit timing and power suffer from substantially increased variability impact and a 30x performance drawback, with respect to near-VT.
In the Mexican salamander (Ambystoma mexicanum) homozygous for the gene eyeless, unilateral neural fold rearrangements stimulate bilateral eye formation

The objective of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that the absence of eyes in the eyeless mutant Mexican salamander (Ambystoma mexicanum) might be caused by an antero-posterior morphogenetic system out of balance in the head of the mutant. To test this hypothesis the antero-posterior sequence of the neural fold of eyeless mutant neurulae was rearranged in two ways: unilateral grafting of posterior neural fold tissues from mutant donors into the anterior nasal area of mutant hosts (and vice-versa) was performed; and in addition, the eye region of the mutant was moved into posterior temporal positions as well as shifted forward into the nasal area. The results of these experiments demonstrate that larvae homozygous for the eyeless mutant gene are capable of forming eyes in vivo following such antero-posterior rearrangements of their neural folds. In addition, operations performed unilaterally had a bilateral effect: eye structures differentiated on the operated as well as on the unoperated side of the larvae. These results suggest that the eyeless mutant fails to form eyes because of an inhibitory effect on the optic vesicles emanating from neighboring tissues, not because of an inherent defect in the neural plate to form retina.
Randomized trial in malignant biliary obstruction: plastic vs partially covered metal stents.

Randomized trial in malignant biliary obstruction: Plastic vs partially covered metal stents
Long-term clinical outcomes following en bloc resections for sacral chordomas and chondrosarcomas: a series of twenty consecutive patients.

Study Design. Retrospective study of 20 consecutive patients who underwent en bloc tumor excision of sacral chordomas and chondrosarcomas. Objective. To evaluate the functional and oncological outcomes following en bloc tumor excision for sacral chordomas and chondrosarcomas. Summary of Background Data. Chordomas and chondrosarcomas are 2 of the most common malignant primary tumors of the sacrum in adults. To date, few large clinical series with en bloc resection of these tumors exist. Methods. An institutional primary spine tumor surge. cal database was retrospective reviewed. Twenty consecutive patients with sacral chordomas and chondrosarcomas who underwent primary en bloc tumor excisions from 2002 to 2007 were included in the study. Surgical margin, perioperative complications, and postoperative functional status in these patients were analyzed. Disease-free survival following en bloc tumor excision was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results. The study cohort included 8 males and 12 females with an average age of 53.5 years and a man follow-up of 47.8 months. Wide or marginal en bloc resection was achieved in 14 patients. In 6 other patients, tumor was identified at the surgical margins, and they were considered to have contaminated/intralesional resections. The 30-day perioperative morbidities in this series included 1 death from pulmonary embolism and 9 wound complications. Forty percent of the patients had normal bladder and bowel functions after surgery, while 60% of the patients had partial or complete loss of bladder and bowel functions. All but 2 patients in this group remained ambulatory after the surgery. The mean disease-free survival for patients with wide or marginal en bloc tumor excisions was 51 months, but the mean disease-free survival was only 17.5 months for patients who had contaminated/intralesional resections. Conclusion. Wide or marginal en bloc excision of sacral chordoma and chondrosarcoma is associated with significant improvement in disease-free survival with acceptable perioperative morbidity rate.
Generating Design Suggestions under Tight Constraints with Gradient-based Probabilistic Programming

We present a system for generating suggestions from highly-constrained, continuous design spaces. We formulate suggestion as sampling from a probability distribution; constraints are represented as factors that concentrate probability mass around sub-manifolds of the design space. These sampling problems are intractable using typical random walk MCMC techniques, so we adopt Hamiltonian Monte Carlo HMC, a gradient-based MCMC method. We implement HMC in a high-performance probabilistic programming language, and we evaluate its ability to efficiently generate suggestions for two different, highly-constrained example applications: vector art coloring and designing stable stacking structures.
2-D state space filter with fewer multipliers

Summary form only given. It is shown that compared to existing realizations, a considerable reduction in the number of multipliers for hardware realizations of 2-D state-space digital filters can be achieved. This is accomplished by transformation of the given system to a block diagonal canonical structure. A computational algorithm has been developed to reduce the system to the structured form shown, and a WAVEFRONT array architecture has been proposed to implement it in hardware. >
The Effect of Two Handwriting Approaches, D'Nealian and Sunform, on Kindergartners' Letter Formations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of two handwriting approaches, D’Nealian and Sunform, on kindergartners’ letter formations. Forty-one participants received D’Nealian handwriting instruction as the control group; 133 kindergartners were instructed in Sunform as the experimental approach. Pre-post tests at the beginning and end of school year asked kindergarten students to write the letters of the alphabet from memory. The letter formations were scored on a 4-point rubric for directionality and integration. The results showed the Sunform group had significantly higher scores on all but three letters of the alphabet. The D’Nealian students had considerably lower scores on missing or extra strokes, distortions and open letters. The findings of this study support the value of using an integrated, meaningful curriculum that appeals to young children and that supports motor development by requiring students to cross the midline to form counter-clockwise circles and diagonal lines. Implications for future research are included.
POSSIBLE INITIATION OF VIRAL ENCEPHALOMYELITIS IN DOGS BY MIGRATING LYMPHOCYTES INFECTED WITH DISTEMPER VIRUS

The principal pathways by which viruses spread to the central nervous system (C.N.S.) are considered to be direct invasion along peripheral nerves or the haematogenous route. The latter is thought to involve passive transfer or active replication of virus in C.N.S. endothelial cells. In this study histological evidence of mild perivascular encephalomyelitis was found 8-10 days after infection of dogs with canine distemper virus (C.D.V.). C.D.V. antigen and viral nucleocapsids were detectable in the mononuclear cells infiltrating nervous tissue and C.D.V. was isolated from lymphoid tissue and buffy-coat cells. C.N.S. infection may thus be initiated by migrating virus-infected lymphocytes and this pathway may operate in other viral disorders of the C.N.S.
MARKET ORGANIZATION AND THE PRICES OF FINANCIAL ASSETS

Several empirical regularities in the prices of financial assets are at odds with the predictions of standard economic theory. I address these regularities and explore the extent to which they are resolved in the context of two markets organized in very different ways. The first setting is a neoclassical economy with incomplete markets and heterogeneous agents. Market incompleteness naturally arises because of the non-existence of markets in which consumers or households can co-insure idiosyncratic income shocks for obvious moral hazard reasons. The second setting is an overlapping generations economy with three generations in which the young generation is constrained from borrowing and investing in equities. The borrowing constraints naturally arise because human capital alone does not collateralize major loans in modern economies for reasons of moral hazard and adverse selection. 1I ntroduction Several empirical regularities in the prices of financial assets are at odds with the predictions of standard economic theory. I address these regularities and explore the extent to which they are resolved in the context of two very different economic settings. The first setting is a neoclassical economy with incomplete markets and heterogeneous agents. Market incompleteness naturally arises because of the non-existence of markets in which consumers or households can co-insure idiosyncratic income shocks for obvious moral hazard reasons. The second setting is an overlapping generations (OLG) economy with three generations in which the young generation is constrained from borrowing and investing in equities. The borrowing constraints naturally arise because human capital alone does not collateralize major loans in modern economies for reasons of moral hazard and adverse selection. I begin with an overview of the empirical regularities in the prices of financial assets that are at odds with the predictions of standard economic theory. The aggregate equity return, the long-term bond return and the returns of various subclasses of financial assets are too large, too variable and too predictable. One such regularity that has received a lot of attention in the literature is the ‘equity risk premium puzzle’. It is the inability of the
Perceptions of Public Library Accessibility for People with Disabilities

More than 5,000 households with a person identified as having a physical, mental, or emotional condition that impairs participation in activities were surveyed about their opinions concerning barriers to public library use and opinions about efforts by public libraries to be useful to people with disabilities. Results showed that perceptions of accessibility, collections, and presence of assistive or adaptive devices for people with disabilities were slightly more positive if someone in the household had used the public library in the past year. Data used for the study were from the October 2002 Current Population Survey, a federal survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Manganese dioxides as cathodes for lithium rechargeable cells: the stability challenge

Abstract A wide range of manganese oxides is under study for possible use as the cathode of high energy density batteries. The spinel, LiMn 2 O 4 , although the most studied has a relatively low energy density and appears unstable under charge. This review emphasizes non-spinel oxides, in particular those with layered or tunnel structures that offer enhanced behavior in lithium ion and lithium polymer cells. A major focus is on stabilizing these manganese oxide structures against conversion to the spinel phase.
Decentralization of a Multi Data Source Distributed Processing System Using a Distributed Hash Table

A distributed processing system (DPS) contains many autonomous nodes, which contribute their own computing power. DPS is considered a unified logical structure, operating in a distributed manner; the processing tasks are divided into fragments and assigned to various nodes for processing. That type of operation requires and involves a great deal of communication. We propose to use the decentralized approach, based on a distributed hash table, to reduce the communication overhead and remove the server unit, thus avoiding having a single point of failure in the system. This paper proposes a mathematical model and algorithms that are implemented in a dedicated experimental system. Using the decentralized approach, this study demonstrates the efficient operation of a decentralized system which results in a reduced energy emission.
Aging induced evolution of free solder material behavior

Solder materials demonstrate evolving microstructure and mechanical behavior that changes significantly with environmental exposures such as isothermal aging and thermal cycling. These physical aging effects are greatly exacerbated at higher temperatures typical of thermal cycling qualification tests for harsh environment electronic packaging. In the current study, mechanical measurements of thermal aging effects and material behavior evolution of lead free solders have been performed. Extreme care has been taken so that the fabricated solder uniaxial test specimens accurately reflect the solder materials present in actual lead free solder joints. A novel specimen preparation procedure has been developed where the solder uniaxial test specimens are formed in high precision rectangular cross- section glass tubes using a vacuum suction process. The tubes are then sent through a SMT reflow to re-melt the solder in the tubes and subject them to any desired temperature profile (i.e. same as actual solder joints). Using specimens fabricated with the developed procedure, isothermal aging effects and viscoplastic material behavior evolution have been characterized for Sn-Ag-Cu lead free solders, which are commonly used as the solder ball alloy in lead free BGAs and other components. Analogous tests were performed with 63Sn-37Pb eutectic solder samples for comparison purposes. In our total experimental program, several different SAC alloys have been examined. Samples have been solidified with both re flowed and water quenching temperature profiles, and isothermal aging has been performed at room temperature (25degC) and elevated temperatures (100degC, 125degC and 150degC). In this paper, we have concentrated our efforts on reporting results for 95.5Sn-4.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC405) subjected to room temperature and elevated temperature aging experiments. Variations of the temperature dependent mechanical properties (elastic modulus, yield stress, ultimate strength, creep compliance, etc.) were observed and modeled as a function of room temperature aging time. Microstructural changes during room temperature aging have also been recorded for the solder alloys and correlated with the observed mechanical behavior changes.
Bias in Sire Evaluation Due to Selection

Summary The first and second lactation records of New York artifically sired Holstein cows were analyzed to determine the effect of culling after the first lactation on sire evaluation based on both first and second lactation records. Results indicated that weighting first and second records according to number of records per cow, repeatability, and heritability evaluated sires almost identically with the method which uses the average of a daughter's first and second records. Even with a pronounced differential culling rate after the first lactation, there was no evidence of a differential bias in valuating sires of different genetic merit based on first and second lactation records.
Survey of State EMS-DNR Laws and Protocols:

Author presents the results of a survey of state emergency medical services do-not-resuscitate laws and protocols that have been implemented statewide and describes their structural and operational characteristics, as well as responses from key state contacts on program challenges and issues.
Endogenously produced adiponectin protects cardiomyocytes from hypertrophy by a PPARγ-dependent autocrine mechanism

In experimental animal and cell culture models, activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ in heart has been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiac function and cardiomyocyte physiology. The goal of this study was to identify the signaling pathway by which PPARγ activation protects cardiomyocytes from the deleterious effects of hypertrophic stimuli. In primary cardiomyocyte cultures, we found that genetic or pharmacological activation of PPARγ protected cells from cardiac hypertrophy induced by α-adrenergic stimulation. Examination of gene expression in these cells revealed a surprising increase in the expression of adiponectin in cardiomyocytes and secretion of the high-molecular-weight form of the hormone into media. Using RNAi to block PPARγ-induced adiponectin production or adiponectin receptor gene expression, we found that the PPARγ-mediated anti-hypertrophic effect required cardiomyocyte-produced adiponectin, as well as an intact adiponectin signaling pathway. Furthermore, mice expressing constitutive-active PPARγ and cardiomyocyte specific adiponectin expression were protected from high-fat diet-induced cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling. These findings demonstrate that functional adiponectin hormone can be produced from the heart and raise the possibility that beneficial effects of PPARγ activation in heart could be due in part to local production of adiponectin that acts on cardiomyocytes in an autocrine manner.
Learning Motivation in the Postsecondary Classroom

Marilla D. Svinicki, an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas, undertakes the difficult task of exploring the relationship of teaching and learning and what role ...
Role of the left interventricular sulcus in formation of the interventricular septum and crista supraventricularis in normal human cardiogenesis

Serial sections of normal human embryos were studied and three-dimensional images reconstructed to determine the early development of the interventricular septum. The position of the interventricular septum is determined in stage 9 of normal development by the formation of the left interventricular sulcus. As a result of unknown properties of the cells of the myocardial layer, the left interventricular sulcus persists while the right disappears, producing the initial lateral asymmetry of the primary heart tube. By stage 14, the left interventricular sulcus forms a spiral which is continuous with the developing interventricular septum. The dorsal limb of the spiral passes to the right between the atrioventricular canal and the origin of the outflow tract, and is lost in the wall of the trabeculated right ventricle. It appears that this dorsal limb of the spiral is the precursor of part of the cirsta supraventricularis. The midportion of the sulcus, the bulboventricular groove, becomes the so-called fibrous continuity between the aortic and mitral valves. The ventral limb of the spiral passes caudally in the anterior interventricular groove and then dorsally and cranially toward the dorsal cushion of the atrioventricular canal. The ventral limb of the spiral is continuous with the crest of the muscular interventricular septum, which develops by apposition of tissue from the expanding right and left ventricles. From stage 14 to stage 19, the muscular interventricular septum, the atrioventricular endocardial cushions, and the ventricular end of the spiral ridges of the outflow tract appose and fuse. Subsequent formation of the membranous interventricular septum completes the physical separation of the right and left ventricles.