cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Why individuals voluntarily leave: Perceptions of human resource managers versus employees

This research compared the causal ascriptions of 273 HR managers and professionals regarding 12 potential causes of turnover to the ascriptions of II48 employees from twenty different organizations. We hypothesized that a self-serving bias would influence the importance ratings of HR managers, such that they would overrate the importance of turnover causes generally beyond their control, and underrate causes potentially within their control. The overall pattern of results supported the hypothesis. HR managers and professionals saw the perceived attractions of a new job (e.g., better pay and more interesting work) as significantly more important than the possible shortcomings of the current job in creating a desire to quit. In contrast, employees saw shortcomings in the current job (e.g., dissatisfaction with company policies) as significantly more important in generating quit intentions than potential attractions associated with a new job. Discussion centred on the implications of these findings, particularly as they relate to the development of turnover-reducing strategies for organizations.
Extended indications and contraindications for peroral endoscopic myotomy

Abstract Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has proven a remarkably efficacious and safe therapy for patients with typical achalasia in preliminary, short-term, and intermediate-term reports. However, less is known about the feasibility and outcomes of POEM in patients with other hypercontractile motility disorders, prior failed conventional treatments, age extremes, end-stage achalasia, or significant comorbidities. We review the literature data regarding extended indications and contraindications of POEM. The scant data from the literature are augmented by extrapolating from data in the laparoscopic Heller myotomy literature where appropriate (as POEM is essentially a surgical Heller myotomy performed via a natural orifice). We also make limited use of data from an international POEM survey.
Does Fast or Slow Evaluation Foster Greater Certainty

This research investigates the effect of perceived evaluation duration—that is, the perceived time or speed with which one generates an evaluation—on attitude certainty. Integrating diverse findings from past research, the authors propose that perceiving either fast or slow evaluation can augment attitude certainty depending on specifiable factors. Across three studies, it is shown that when people express opinions, evaluate familiar objects, or typically trust their gut reactions, perceiving fast rather than slow evaluation generally promotes greater certainty. In contrast, when people form opinions, evaluate unfamiliar objects, or typically trust more thoughtful responses, perceiving slow rather than fast evaluation generally promotes greater certainty. Mediation analyses reveal that these effects stem from trade-offs between perceived rational thought and the perceived ease of retrieving an attitude. Implications for research on deliberative versus intuitive decision making are discussed.
A New Look at Optimum Design for Convecting-Radiating Annular Fins of Trapezoidal Profile

This paper deals with a controversial problem in answering the question "Does the optimum fin design always exist? If not, what are the optimization ranges and limitations?" These authors employ a general example of convecting- radiating trapezoidal annular fin with heat transfer at the tip and wall resistance at the interface. The present results indicate that the answer to the above first question is negative. The ranges of fin optimum design under different thermal and physical conditions are proposed. The effects of Biot number, radiation number, the heat loss at the tip, fin profile and overall wall resistance on fin optimization range are further investigated and discussed.
Efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil in patients failing 6-mercaptopurine or azathioprine therapy for Crohn's disease.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a novel immuno-modulator that may be effective in the treatment of chronic active and perianal Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of MMF in CD patients who failed or were intolerant of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) or azathioprine (AZA). Eleven CD patients were treated with MMF after a failed course of 6-MP/AZA, and their records reviewed retrospectively. Reasons for 6-MP/AZA intolerance or failure were recorded. Response to MMF was determined by calculation of the Harvey-Bradshaw index and ability to taper steroids. Adverse reactions to MMF were recorded. Eleven patients were identified who failed a previous trial of 6-MP/AZA and other immunomodulators and required immunomodulator therapy. Of 11 patients who started MMF, four had early adverse reactions within 8 weeks and stopped the medication. Of the remaining seven patients who took MMF for at least 8 weeks, one had a complete response, two had a partial response, and four had no response to the medication. In patients who failed 6-MP/AZA, MMF was of benefit in 3 of 11 patients with only one complete responder. This lower-than-expected response rate may indicate that patients who are resistant to 6-MP or AZA may also be resistant to MMF.
Sub-Angstrom resolution enzyme X-ray structures: is seeing believing?

Abstract Recent technical advances in crystallographic analysis, particularly highly focused and high brilliance synchrotron beam lines, have significantly improved the resolutions that are attainable for many macromolecular crystal structures. The Protein Data Bank ( http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/ ) contains an increasing number of atomic resolution structures, which are providing a wealth of structural information that was not previously visible in lower resolution electron density maps. Here, we review the importance of visualizing hydrogen atoms and multiple sidechain conformations or anisotropy, as well as substrate strain, at sub-Angstrom resolution. The additional structural features that are visible in the electron density maps as a result of atomic resolution data provide a better understanding of the catalytic mechanisms of cholesterol oxidase, ribonuclease A, β-lactamase, serine proteases, triosephosphate isomerase and endoglucanase.
The Prostate Cancer TMPRSS2:ERG Fusion Synergizes With the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) to Induce CYP24A1 Expression-Limiting VDR Signaling

A number of preclinical studies have shown that the activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) reduces prostate cancer (PCa) cell and tumor growth. The majority of human PCas express a transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2):erythroblast transformation-specific (ETS) fusion gene, but most preclinical studies have been performed in PCa models lacking TMPRSS2:ETS in part due to the limited availability of model systems expressing endogenous TMPRSS2:ETS. The level of the active metabolite of vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D), is controlled in part by VDR-dependent induction of cytochrome P450, family 24, subfamily 1, polypeptide1 (CYP24A1), which metabolizes 1,25D to an inactive form. Because ETS factors can cooperate with VDR to induce rat CYP24A1, we tested whether TMPRSS2:ETS would cause aberrant induction of human CYP24A1 limiting the activity of VDR. In TMPRSS2:ETS positive VCaP cells, depletion of TMPRSS2:ETS substantially reduced 1,25D-mediated CYP24A1 induction. Artificial expression of the type VI+72 TMPRSS2:ETS isoform in LNCaP cells synergized with 1,25D to greatly increase CYP24A1 expression. Thus, one of the early effects of TMPRSS2:ETS in prostate cells is likely a reduction in intracellular 1,25D, which may lead to increased proliferation. Next, we tested the net effect of VDR action in TMPRSS2:ETS containing PCa tumors in vivo. Unlike previous animal studies performed on PCa tumors lacking TMPRSS2:ETS, EB1089 (seocalcitol) (a less calcemic analog of 1,25D) did not inhibit the growth of TMPRSS2:ETS containing VCaP tumors in vivo, suggesting that the presence of TMPRSS2:ETS may limit the growth inhibitory actions of VDR. Our findings suggest that patients with TMPRSS2:ETS negative tumors may be more responsive to VDR-mediated growth inhibition and that TMPRSS2:ETS status should be considered in future clinical trials.
Transmutation products may influence radiotracer diffusion rates in an ionic solid.

An inherent aspect of radiotracer diffusion is that α, β + , or β – emission produces a daughter element of different ionization state. This process must either cause a change in the vacancy concentrations or create space charge, depending on the effectiveness of the internal sources or sinks. Four coupled equations established to model the kinetics, when solved by numerical methods, predict that the apparent tracer diffusion rate may easily be in error by a factor of 2 or 3 and, under certain conditions, by as much as an order of magnitude.
Diode laser harmonic spectroscopy applied to in situ measurements of atmospheric trace molecules

With the emergence of lead-salt diode laser technology, a broad and important IR spectral region, roughly 3-30 microns, became accessible to tunable laser spectroscopy. More recent advances in fabrication techniques have provided experimenters with relatively high power quasi-single-mode high-temperature lasers that are readily adapted to compact automated instruments for field experiments. An especially attractive capability of diode lasers is the ease of using them for simultaneous multiconstituent sampling in the atmosphere. This paper presents a summary description of field instruments for atmospheric research which employ diode lasers and second-harmonic detection. Representative results obtained with some of these instruments are presented.
The determination of glycyrrhizin in selected UK liquorice products

The glycyrrhizin contents of 42 samples of liquorice‐containing confectionery, health products and raw materials have been determined by a standard (AOAC) HPLC technique. Confectionery levels ranged between 0·26 and 7.9 mgg−1, whilst contents in health products were 0.30–47. 1 mgg−1, the highest values being measured for throat pearls. Six geographically diverse samples of liquorice root contained similar (22.2–32.3 mgg−1) glycyrrhizin contents. Highest levels of glycyrrhizin were found in liquorice block (44–98 mgg−1) and extract powder (79–113 mgg−1). These analyses enable a mean daily intake of glycyrrhizin to be calculated for the UK. The figure (1 mg) is lower than those reported for the US and Belgium (3 and 5 mg, respectively). The significance of the levels of glycyrrhizin in UK confectionery, and the estimated daily exposure thereto, is discussed in the context of existing data on liquorice‐induced toxicity.
Reef Calcification: ABSTRACT

Of the life processes on a coral reef, calcification produces the most conspicuous end product--the reef framework and sediments. Most of the information relevant to coral-reef calcification comes from studies of the rates of CaCO3 retention by the reef or studies of individual organism calcification rates. Neither of these types of studies really assesses the rate at which the reef community produces CaCO3. Alkalinity depletion as water flows across a reef, together with volume transport of that water, can be used to compute the rate of reef calcification. This procedure has been employed across a predominantly coral community and across a predominantly coralline algal community on windward inter-island reef flats of Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. The mean alkalinity of water approaching the reef is about 2.30 meq/l, and the alkalinity as the water crosses the reef is typically depleted by less than 0.01 meq/l. The product of ^Dgr alkalinity times volume transport, divided by the reef length, averages approximately 0.0025 (meq/sq m)/sec, with no significant difference in depletion rate between the 2 calcifying communities examined. This alkalinity depletion rate is equivalent to a CaCO3 production rate of 4 × 103 (g CaCO3/m2)/year. If the porosity of the sediment produced by calcification is 50%, then the CaCO3 production rate is sufficient for an upward reef growth rate of about 3 mm/year. Because the present rate of eustatic sea level rise is considerably less than 3 mm/year, the reef is either catching up with sea level, or most of the CaCO3 produced is being removed. Sediment accumulations downstream from actively calcifying reef areas favor the latter hypothesis. End_of_Article - Last_Page 654------------
Binding modes of protegrin-1, a beta-strand antimicrobial peptide, in lipid bilayers

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the interactions of a beta-strand antimicrobial peptide, protegrin-1, with model lipid bilayers of different hydrophobic widths show that protegrin-1 possesses at least two distinct binding modes in the trans-membrane orientation. In one of the modes, three of the cationic arginine residues bind to one bilayer leaflet and the other three arginine residues bind to the opposite leaflet, while in the second binding mode, four arginines bind to one leaflet and two to the other. The existence of multiple binding modes is facilitated by the high conformational flexibility of the first four residues of the N-terminal region, with a sequence of RGGR. One of the binding modes causes a larger bilayer disruption than the other, and in either mode, the bilayer disruption is smaller for lipid membranes with smaller bilayer widths. Simulations of the self-assembly of initially random lipid/water mixtures in the presence of PG-1 peptides show that the system evolves into a bilayer,...
Layout design using the analytic hierarchy process

Abstract Layout design is a complex problem involving multiple, conflicting objectives as well as inputs that can be either qualitative or quantitative in nature. This paper describes and illustrates an approach to the layout design problem which considers both of these difficulties. The approach involves the use of several layout design algorithms as well as manual methods to generate candidate layouts. These candidate layouts are then used as input to Saaty's Analytic Hierarchy Process in order to allow the consideration of the problem's multiple objectives. The approach is illustrated on a problem involving the layout of a commercial printing and binding facility.
Financial literacy is associated with medial brain region functional connectivity in old age.

A B S T R A C T Financial literacy refers to the ability to access and utilize financial information in ways that promote better outcomes. In old age, financial literacy has been associated with a wide range of positive characteristics; however, the neural correlates remain unclear. Recent work has suggested greater coactivity between anterior–posterior medial brain regions is associated with better brain functioning. We hypothesized financial literacy would be associated with this pattern. We assessed whole-brain functional connectivity to a posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) seed region of interest (ROI) in 138 participants of the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Results revealed financial literacy was associated with greater functional connectivity between the PCC and three regions: the right ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), the left postcentral gyrus, and the right precuneus. Results also revealed financial literacy was associated negatively with functional connectivity between the PCC and left caudate. Post hoc analyses showed the PCC–vmPFC relationship accounted for the most variance in a regression model adjusted for all four significant functional connectivity relationships, demographic factors, and global cognition. These findings provide information on the neural mechanisms associated with financial literacy in old age.
Folding mechanisms of proteins with high sequence identity but different folds.

The problem of how a protein folds from a linear chain of amino acids to the three-dimensional structure necessary for function is often investigated using proteins with a low degree of sequence identity that adopt different folds. The design of pairs of proteins with a high degree of sequence identity but different folds offers the opportunity for a complementary study; in two highly similar sequences, which residues are the most important in directing folding to a particular structure? Here we use molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the folding−unfolding pathways of a pair of proteins designed by Bryan and co-workers [Alexander, P. A., et al. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 14045−14054; He, Y. N., et al. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 14055−14061]. Despite being 59% identical, the two protein sequences fold to two different structures. The first sequence folds to the α+β protein G structure and the second to the all-α-helical protein A structure. We show that the final protein structure is determined early ...
Experimental huygens' surface for NIR wavelengths

A Huygens’ surface that efficiently refracts normally incident light to an angle p=35d at telecommunication wavelengths is reported. This represents the first experimental demonstration of an isotropic metasurface that provides wavefront control for arbitrarily polarized light.
APS Insertion Devices: Recent Developments and Results

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) now has a total of 23 insertion devices (IDs). Over two-thirds of them are installed on the storage ring. The installed devices include 18, 27 and 55 mm-period undulators; an 85 mm-period wiggler; a 16 cm-period elliptical multipole wiggler; and many 33 mm-period undulators. Most of the IDs occupy storage-ring straight sections equipped with 8 mm vertical-aperture vacuum chambers. All of the IDs were measured magnetically at the APS and, in most cases, underwent a final magnetic tuning in order to minimize variation in the various integrals of the field through the ID over the full gap range. Special shimming techniques to correct magnetic field parameters in appropriate gap-dependent ways were developed and applied. Measurements of the closed-orbit distortion as a function of the ID gap variation have been completed, and results are in a good agreement with magnetic measurements. Spectral diagnostics of the ID radiation, including measurements of the absolute spectral flux, brilliance and polarization, show excellent agreement between calculated and measured results. Studies of the sensitivity of IDs to radiation exposure and measurements of the dose rate received by the IDs are in progress.
The Role of Virtual Reference in Library Web Site Design: A Qualitative Source for Usage Data

Gathering qualitative information about usage behavior of library Web sites is a time-consuming process requiring the active participation of patron communities. Libraries that collect virtual reference transcripts, however, hold valuable data regarding how the library Web site is used that could benefit Web designers. An analysis of virtual reference transcripts played a key role during the 2010 Mississippi State University Libraries’ Web site redesign process. The virtual reference project manager partnered with the Web services department to examine chat and e-mail transcripts as a potential source of qualitative Web site usability information. To determine the usefulness of the virtual reference data, chat transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory model to derive codes for each question asked and each answer given. This information was then aggregated into concepts that offered insights into user behavior online. In an attempt to extract more usage information from the virtual reference data, ...
The relationship between intravasal sperm quality and patency rates after vasovasostomy.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Most surgeons examine the intravasal fluid at vasectomy reversal. Vasovasostomy is performed when sperm are identified in the intravasal fluid or when sperm are absent but the fluid is copious and clear. When sperm are absent and the intravasal fluid is not copious and clear, vasoepididymostomy is often performed. Frequently the intravasal fluid contains only fragments of sperm. This study examines patency rates after microsurgical vasovasostomy as a function of the quality of sperm in the intravasal fluid.Materials and Methods: The records of patients who had undergone microsurgical vasovasostomy were reviewed. The intravasal fluid was examined and sperm quality was recorded as no sperm, sperm heads, sperm with short tails or whole sperm. Results of postoperative semen analyses were recorded. Patency rates and postoperative semen parameters were compared.Results: A total of 53 patients satisfied the entrance criteria. Ages ranged from 25 to 53 (mean age 39). Mean obstructive interval was...
Inhibition of enkephalin degradation in the guinea pig ileum

Abstract Guinea pig ileum tissue preparations contain enzymes which degrade both leucine and methionine enkephalin by cleavage of the N-terminal tyrosine residue. Similar enkephalin degrading activity is also found in the fluid bath surrounding ileum tissue preparations and appears to arise from serum and broken cell enzymes. Chelating agents such as 1,10-phenanthroline and 8-OH quinoline are effective inhibitors of enkephalin destruction by these enzymes but in the concentrations necessary to inhibit all enzyme activity, they disturb the contractility of the ileum during in vitro bioassays. The presence of enkephalin degrading enzymes and the lack of appropriate peptidase inhibitors may hinder the determination and quantification of enkephalin release in this tissue.
Temperature and Humidity Effects on Net Photosynthesis and Transpiration of Citrus

Maximum rates of net photosynthesis for Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck and Citrus paradisi Macf. cultivars were observed at the lowest temperature (22°C) under which these subtropical species were examined. Net photosynthesis decreased with higher temperatures or greater vapor pressure differences between leaf and air. The reduction in net photosynthesis due to higher temperatures was associated with reductions in mesophyll conductance to CO2; whereas, the effects of greater vapor pressure differences on net photosynthesis were associated with changes in total leaf conductance to water vapor. Actual water-use efficiency was reduced at higher temperatures and greater vapor pressure differences, but intrinsic water-use efficiency, calculated for a constant vapor pressure difference, increased with increases in vapor pressure difference indicating a possible adaptive mechanism for conditions of high evaporative demand. Day-today increases in net photosynthesis, total leaf conductance to water vapor and mesophyll conductance were observed as plants were subjected to the same temperature and humidity treatments on progressive days. Growing plants under higher irradiances increased their photosynthetic rates and mesophyll conductance to CO2 but leaf conductance to water vapor was unaffected by irradiance pretreatment. Consequently, acclimation to radiation can only account for a small part of the day-to-day changes in gas exchange. Other possible explanations for these day-to-day changes were discussed. Significant differences were not observed among trees of ‘Campbell Valencia’ orange, ‘Parent Navel’ orange and ‘Frost Marsh’ grapefruit in responses of net photosynthesis and leaf conductance to temperature and humidity.
Mineral homeostasis in neonates of streptozotocin-induced noninsulin-dependent diabetic rats and in their mothers during pregnancy and lactation.

To assess the affect of mild diabetes on calcium metabolism in an animal model, we evaluated calcium homeostasis before pregnancy and during gestation and lactation in non-insulindependent (NIDD) diabetic rat mothers and their neonates (NeoDM). Plasma glucose, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphate (Pi), and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were measured in the NIDD rats and controls before pregnancy, during the first, second, and third gestational week, and during lactation 12, 24, 48 and 72 h postpartum. The same measurements were performed on NeoDM and controls 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after birth. In the mothers, plasma calcitonin was assayed before pregnancy and at 72 h postpartum. Higher plasma glucose values before pregnancy (216 +/- 9 mg/dl vs 126 +/- 4) and during the second (105 +/- 5 vs 73 +/- 6) and third (114 +/- 8 vs 91 +/- 3) gestational week were observed in diabetic mothers when compared to controls. Glucose values decreased during the second and third gestational week in both groups compared to pregestational values. Plasma Ca, Mg, and Pi were similar in both groups during gestation and lactation except for the third gestational week when plasma Mg was lower in the diabetic mothers (P less than 0.05). Plasma iPTH rose to similar values in both groups during pregnancy. During lactation, plasma iPTH levels were higher and plasma calcitonin levels were lower compared to controls (P less than .05, P less than 0.01, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Open event machine: A multi-core run-time designed for performance

The early generations of TI's multi-core DSPs had limited support for multi-core programming. Programmers typically looked at those DSPs as “multiple single-core DSPs in a single package”. The integration effectively allowed achieving more revenue for a given area and power budget and SW reuse allowed keeping the development cost low.
Inter-individual variation in vertebral kinematics affects predictions of neck musculoskeletal models

Experimental studies have found significant variation in cervical intervertebral kinematics (IVK) among healthy subjects, but the effect of this variation on biomechanical properties, such as neck strength, has not been explored. The goal of this study was to quantify variation in model predictions of extension strength, flexion strength and gravitational demand (the ratio of gravitational load from the weight of the head to neck muscle extension strength), due to inter-subject variation in IVK. IVK were measured from sagittal radiographs of 24 subjects (14F, 10M) in five postures: maximal extension, mid-extension, neutral, mid-flexion, and maximal flexion. IVK were defined by the position (anterior-posterior and superior-inferior) of each cervical vertebra with respect to T1 and its angle with respect to horizontal, and fit with a cubic polynomial over the range of motion. The IVK of each subject were scaled and incorporated into musculoskeletal models to create models that were identical in muscle force- and moment-generating properties but had subject-specific kinematics. The effect of inter-subject variation in IVK was quantified using the coefficient of variation (COV), the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean. COV of extension strength ranged from 8% to 15% over the range of motion, but COV of flexion strength was 20–80%. Moreover, the COV of gravitational demand was 80–90%, because the gravitational demand is affected by head position as well as neck strength. These results indicate that including inter-individual variation in models is important for evaluating neck musculoskeletal biomechanical properties.
A single-item self-report medication adherence question predicts hospitalisation and death in patients with heart failure.

Aims and objectives To determine whether a single-item self-report medication adherence question predicts hospitalization and death in patients with heart failure (HF).
Leadership Online: Expanding the Horizon

With an increase of online teaching, social media, and use of classroom technology by both location-bound and distance students, how do we teach and learn leadership through online tools? International Leadership Association overarching Teaching and Learning Guiding Question: “What are students' developmental levels and what teaching and learning methods are most appropriate to ensure maximum student learning?”
On Gauss's proof of the normal law of errors

Gauss gave a well-known proof that under certain conditions the postulate that the arithmetic mean of a number of measures is the most probable estimate of the true value, given the observations, implies the normal law of error. I found recently that in an important practical case the mean is the most probable value, although the normal law does not hold. I suggested an explanation of the apparent discrepancy, but it does not seem to be the true one in the case under consideration.
Comparative anatomy of the prosubiculum, subiculum, presubiculum, postsubiculum, and parasubiculum in human, monkey, and rodent

The subicular complex, including the prosubiculum (ProS), subiculum (Sub), presubiculum, postsubiculum (PoS), and parasubiculum (PaS), plays important roles in the medial temporal memory system and is heavily involved in many neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy. In the literature, the ProS (in primate) and PoS (in rodent) are inconstantly identified, making data comparison difficult across species. This review is an attempt to discuss equivalencies and extent of the five subicular components in human, monkey, and rodent based on available information on their cytoarchitecture, chemoarchitecture, molecular signature, and neural connectivity. All five subicular cortices exist in human, monkey, and rodent. In human and monkey, the ProS and Sub extend into the uncal region anteriorly, and the PoS and PaS reach the cingulate isthmus posteriorly. In rodent, most of the typical subicular cortices are located in the dorsal and caudal portions of the hippocampal formation, and the modified version of the ventral ProS and Sub corresponds to the modified description of the uncal ProS and Sub in monkey and human. An interesting triangular region in rodent located at the juncture of the PoS, PaS, retrosplenial cortex, and visual cortex appears to be the equivalent of the monkey area prostriata. Major connections of the five subicular cortices are also summarized based on unified criteria discussed in this review, with distinct connections revealed between the ProS and the Sub. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:4145–4162, 2013.
Diagonal and toroidal mesh networks

Diagonal and toroidal mesh are degree-4 point to point interconnection models suitable for connecting communication elements in parallel computers, particularly multicomputers. The two networks have a similar structure. The toroidal mesh is popular and well-studied whereas the diagonal mesh is relatively new. In this paper, we show that the diagonal mesh has a smaller diameter and a larger bisection width. It also retains advantages such as a simple rectangular structure, wirability and scalability of the toroidal mesh network. An optimal self-routing algorithm is developed for these networks. Using this algorithm and the existing routing algorithm for the toroidal mesh, we simulated and compare the performance of these two networks with N=35/spl times/71=2485, N=49/spl times/99=4851, and N=69/spl times/139=9591 nodes under a constant system with a fixed number of messages. Deflection routing is used to resolve conflicts. The effects of various deflection criteria are also investigated. We show that the diagonal mesh outperforms the toroidal mesh in all cases, and thus provides an attractive alternative to the toroidal mesh network. >
Alcohol-drinking history and fatal injury in older adults

Abstract Although most clinical guidelines for older adults allow for one drink a day in persons without a history of alcoholism, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, alcohol may contribute to fatal injury in the elderly. Using two national surveys, this case–control study determined the associations between drinking history and fatal injuries from falls, motor vehicle crashes and suicides. We performed a case–control study using 1,735 cases who died of falls, motor vehicle crashes, or suicides selected from the 1993 National Mortality Follow-Back Survey; controls ( n = 13,381) were a representative sample of the U.S. population from the 1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey. Cases and controls were restricted to ages 55 years and older. Having 12 or more drinks in the year before death or interview for the controls was used to assess alcohol-drinking history. The unadjusted relative odds for drinkers versus nondrinkers for falls, motor vehicle crashes, and suicides were 1.7, 1.7, and 1.6, respectively. Adjustment for age, gender, marital status, education, and working in the last year did not change these effect estimates, which all excluded the null value. Drinking increased the risk of suicide more for women than for men. Drinking history in older adults is associated about equally with an increased risk of fatal injury from falls, motor vehicle crashes, and suicides.
EXPLORING SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATION WITHIN RESERVOIR FOOD WEBS: PREDICTIONS FOR FISH ASSEMBLAGES

In the limnetic zones of small, highly productive reservoirs, young-of-year (YOY) gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum ) or threadfin shad (D. petenense) (henceforth, shad) often attain high densities during spring. Environmental factors facilitating early growth and survival of shad plus potential interspecific competition for zooplankton may reduce growth and survival of YOY bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), another common species in reservoirs. We hypothesized that fewer YOY bluegill moving from the limnetic zone to the littoral zone in late spring probably slows or prevents the ontogenetic switch to piscivory by YOY largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), reducing their oversummer growth, overwinter survival, and hence recruitment to their second year. To determine whether shad and bluegill abundances indeed vary inversely in reservoirs, we quantified densities of YOY shad and bluegill in four reservoirs across several years (1987-1994; N 5 22 reservoir-years). To assess how YOY bluegill abundance influenced the ontogenetic dietary switch to fish by largemouth bass, we conducted experiments with differing levels of realism and control (4-m 2 littoral cages, 4.5-m 2 outdoor pools, and 0.33-m 2 laboratory aquaria). In reservoirs, peak YOY bluegill density declined weakly in the limnetic zone but strongly in the littoral zone when peak limnetic YOY Dorosoma spp. exceeded 10 indi- viduals/m 3 . In pools and aquaria, largemouth bass grew more rapidly at $3 than at zero bluegill per largemouth bass. Using known temperatures and largemouth bass growth in a bioenergetics model, we discovered that YOY largemouth bass in pools and aquaria ate #65% of their maximum daily consumption potential (in grams of wet mass) at $6 bluegill per largemouth bass. In cages, largemouth bass consumed only 40% of their maximum and grew less at bluegill abundances similar to those in pools and aquaria, probably because dense vegetation and depletion of bluegill inhibited predatory success. In reservoirs with abundant shad, reduced littoral bluegill density likely compromises first-year growth and recruitment of largemouth bass. However, variable abiotic and biotic factors may modify YOY bluegill abundance and hence invalidate our predictions for largemouth bass recruit- ment success. To better predict fish community structure and develop management actions for reservoir ecosystems, multi-scale experimentation should be combined with whole- system manipulations (e.g., via adaptive management) to bound these variable interactions.
Nutrition in Gynecologic Cancer

Nutrition plays a role in every aspect of gynecologic cancer care from diagnosis to death. Unfortunately, the topic is not well researched in gynecology oncology and much that is known about nutrition comes from other disciplines. Nutrition and resultant body mass index (BMI) affects a patient’s risk of diagnosis of a gynecologic malignancy, treatment tolerance, complications, and survival. Sadly, 20 % of patients with cancer die of malnutrition rather than their disease. However, not all malnourished patients are thin, as patients with BMIs in the obese range often do not have adequate nutrition. Recent literature challenges previous thoughts about feeding before and after surgery and clearly links obesity and diet quality with survival. More research is needed on the nutrition of patients with gynecologic malignancy, specifically how diet quality interfaces with the tolerance of radiation and chemotherapy.
Simulating pandemic influenza preparedness plans for a public university: a hierarchical system dynamics approach

Pandemic influenza preparedness plans strongly focus on efficient mitigation strategies including social distancing, logistics and medical response. These strategies are formed by multiple decisions-makers before pandemic outbreak and during the disaster by decision makers in local communities, states and nationwide. Depending on the community that will be affected by pandemic influenza, different strategies should be employed to decrease the severity of the disaster in multiple dimensions of social life. In this paper, a system dynamics methodology is applied to model the population behaviors and the effects of pandemic influenza on a public university community. The system is simulated for multiple non-pharmaceutical interventions with several policies that can be employed by local decision makers. System components are constructed from the pandemic influenza preparedness plan of one of the largest universities in the country. The policies and the decisions are tested by simulation runs and evaluations of the mitigation strategies are presented.
An Investigation of the Characteristics of Local Governmental Units Disclosing High Deposit and Investment Credit Risk as Defined by Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 3

As a result of severe financial losses by local governments in the mid-1980s due to falling interest rates, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 3 was issued. The GASB No. 3 provides information for assessing a government's actual and future deposit, investment market, and credit risks. This article investigates the number of governments disclosing deposits and investments in the high risk category and determines if there are common characteristics among those reporting high risk deposits and investments.
Medialization versus reinnervation for unilateral vocal fold paralysis: a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

Purpose Vocal fold medialization laryngoplasty (ML) and laryngeal reinnervation (LR) as treatments for unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) were compared in a multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial.
Virtual ghost: protecting applications from hostile operating systems

Applications that process sensitive data can be carefully designed and validated to be difficult to attack, but they are usually run on monolithic, commodity operating systems, which may be less secure. An OS compromise gives the attacker complete access to all of an application's data, regardless of how well the application is built. We propose a new system, Virtual Ghost, that protects applications from a compromised or even hostile OS. Virtual Ghost is the first system to do so by combining compiler instrumentation and run-time checks on operating system code, which it uses to create ghost memory that the operating system cannot read or write. Virtual Ghost interposes a thin hardware abstraction layer between the kernel and the hardware that provides a set of operations that the kernel must use to manipulate hardware, and provides a few trusted services for secure applications such as ghost memory management, encryption and signing services, and key management. Unlike previous solutions, Virtual Ghost does not use a higher privilege level than the kernel. Virtual Ghost performs well compared to previous approaches; it outperforms InkTag on five out of seven of the LMBench microbenchmarks with improvements between 1.3x and 14.3x. For network downloads, Virtual Ghost experiences a 45% reduction in bandwidth at most for small files and nearly no reduction in bandwidth for large files and web traffic. An application we modified to use ghost memory shows a maximum additional overhead of 5% due to the Virtual Ghost protections. We also demonstrate Virtual Ghost's efficacy by showing how it defeats sophisticated rootkit attacks.
Re-establishing Broca's initial findings.

Abstract The importance of the left inferior pre-frontal cortex (LIPC) for speech production was first popularized by Paul Broca, providing a cornerstone of behavioral neurology and laying the foundation for future research examining brain-behavior relationships. Although Broca’s findings were rigorously challenged, comprehensive contradictory evidence was not published until 130 years later. This evidence suggested that damage to left anterior insula was actually the best predictor of motor speech impairment. Using high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with chronic stroke, we reveal that LIPC involvement more accurately predicts acquired motor speech impairment than insula damage. Perfusion-weighted MRI provides complementary evidence, highlighting how damage to left inferior pre-frontal gyrus often includes insula involvement, and vice versa. Our findings suggest that Broca’s initial conclusions associating acquired motor speech impairment with LIPC damage remain valid nearly 150 years after his initial report on this issue.
The impact of emotionality and self-disclosure on online dating versus traditional dating

Online dating is unique in the pursuit of romance. The bond created between potential partners takes a different path than normal dating relationships. Online dating usually begins with a flurry of e-mail messages, each more intimate than the last. Traditional dating relationships that might take months to develop in the real world, take weeks or even days online. Much has been written about cyber-dating, but little research has been done. This series of four studies examines the online dating process, similarities and differences between online and traditional dating, and the impact of emotionality and self-disclosure on first (e-mail) impressions of a potential partner. Results indicate that the amount of emotionality and self-disclosure affected a person's perception of a potential partner. An e-mail with strong emotional words (e.g., excited, wonderful) led to more positive impressions than an e-mail with fewer strong emotional words (e.g., happy, fine) and resulted in nearly three out of four subjects selecting the e-mailer with strong emotional words for the fictitious dater of the opposite sex. Results for self-disclosure e-mails were complex, but indicate that levels of self-disclosure led to different impressions. Low levels of self-disclosure were generally preferred in choosing for the fictitious dater, although these preferences differed by gender, education, and ethnic background. Results were discussed in terms of theories of computer-mediated communication.
A finite ground coplanar line-to-silicon micromachined waveguide transition

Circuits operating in the terahertz frequency range have traditionally been developed using hollow metal waveguides, which, due to the small wavelength at these operating frequencies, must be correspondingly small in cross section. As a result of the high cost of conventional precision machining of such small waveguides, alternate fabrication methods continue to be explored. Silicon micromachining has been suggested as a potential means to produce waveguides in a more cost-effective manner for operation at these frequencies. This paper presents a transition structure that couples the popular finite ground coplanar transmission line to a W-band silicon micromachined waveguide, forming a fully micromachined module. The waveguide is formed via bulk micromachining using a wet etchant, resulting in a diamond cross section. The consequences of utilizing a diamond waveguide in place of the more common rectangular waveguide are considered and potential means of developing rectangular-walled waveguides in silicon are noted. A Ka-band microwave model of a similar transition to a conventional rectangular waveguide is also demonstrated.
Identifying and mapping night lights using imaging spectrometry

Remote mapping of night lights using the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) has been used for decades to inventory the global distribution of human activity. ©± The coarse spatial and spectral resolution of DMSP, however, has precluded discrimination of lighting types or spectral characteristics. Recent demonstrations using photography from the International Space Station and airborne multispectral simulations demonstrate significant potential, but high-spectral-resolution field and laboratory measurements indicate that these methods do not take full advantage of the spectral information available. This research demonstrates the use of imaging spectrometer data to identify, characterize, and map urban lighting based on comparison to a lights spectral library. The library provides information about spectral emission lines unique to specific lighting types. ProSpecTIR-VS imaging spectrometer data of Las Vegas, Nevada were analyzed to extract spectral features and these were compared to the spectral library measurements on a pixel-by-pixel basis, resulting in a detailed spatial map showing different lighting types. The nature and distribution of lights can be used as a surrogate for characterization of urban settings, and measurement of urban development.
REGRETS AND PRIORITIES AT THREE STAGES OF LIFE

The authors present results of a survey of 316 men and women from three age categories about their major regrets and priorities in life. The most frequently-cited regrets were related to missed educational opportunities and the failure to have been more assertive and to have taken more risks. Differences between groups are analyzed and discussed.
An introduction to computing system dependability

It is important that computer engineers, software engineers, project managers, and users understand the major elements of current technology in the field of dependability, yet this material tends to be unfamiliar to researchers and practitioners alike. Researchers are often concerned in one way or another with some aspect of what is mistakenly called software "reliability". All practitioners are concerned with the "reliability" of the software that they produce but researchers and practitioners tend not to understand fully the broader impact of their work. A lot of research, such as that on testing, is concerned directly with software dependability. Understanding dependability more fully allows researchers to be more effective. Similarly, practitioners can direct their efforts during development more effectively if they have a better understanding of dependability.
Some aspects of industrial and academic change

The author discusses some of the changes that industry is addressing today, based on the author's experience as a researcher and general manager with General Electric. Changes such as integrated design and manufacture, simultaneous engineering, continuous improvement, employee empowerment and market-back research are discussed. The author also considers some of the new skills that the graduate engineer of the 1990s requires to enter the workplace, and how some of these skills can be taught in academic institutions. >
Abstract 76: Collateral Circulation in Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Smaller Strokes, Improved Reperfusion, Less Hemorrhagic Transformation and Better Outcomes

Background: Collateral circulation moderates the impact of acute cerebral occlusion and may influence outcome from recanalization treatment. Noninvasive angiography provides some information on col...