cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mobilizing the Will to Prosecute: Crimes of Rape at the Yugoslav and Rwandan Tribunals

Widespread and systematic rape pervaded both the genocides in Bosnia–Herzegovina in 1992 and in Rwanda in 1994. In response to these conflicts, the Yugoslav Tribunal (ICTY) and the Rwandan Tribunal (ICTR) were created and charged with meting justice for crimes committed, including rape. Nevertheless, the two tribunals differ in their relative success in administering justice for crimes of rape. Addressing rape has been a consistent element of the ICTY prosecution strategy, which resulted in gender-sensitive investigative procedures, higher frequencies of rape indictments, and more successful prosecutions. In contrast, rape has not been a central focus of the ICTR prosecution strategy, which resulted in a sporadic approach to gender-sensitive investigative procedures, inconsistent rape indictments, and few successful prosecutions. What accounts for this disparity in rape prosecutions between the Rwandan and Yugoslav tribunals? Building off the existing literature that discusses factors such as legal instruments and resource capacity of the tribunal, this article argues that transnational advocacy helped generate the necessary political will to adopt and implement legal norms regarding crimes of sexual violence at the ICTY and the ICTR. Following the importance of transnational advocacy as agents of norm change, this paper also explores the antecedent conditions of advocacy mobilization that conditioned different levels of mobilization vis-a-vis the ICTY and the ICTR, including media attention and framing, connections and interest match with local groups, and geopolitical context.
Synthetic potential of Staphylococcus aureus V8-protease: An approach toward semisynthesis of covalent analogs of α-chain of hemoglobin S

Enzyme-catalyzed reformation of peptide bonds in the noncovalent fragment systems of proteins has been emerging as a convenient procedure for the semisynthesis of covalent analogs of the respective proteins. Limited proteolysis of the alpha-chain of hemoglobin S with Staphylococcus aureus V8-protease converts the chain into a fragment-complementing system by hydrolyzing the peptide bond Glu(30)-Arg(31) of the chain. Therefore, it is conceivable that semisynthesis of covalent analogs of alpha-chain could be achieved if conditions for the V8-protease catalyzed formation of peptide bonds could be established. The synthetic potential of V8-protease has been now investigated by incubating V8-protease-derived fragments of alpha-chain, namely alpha 1-30 and alpha 31-47 with the enzyme at pH 6.0 in the presence of n-propanol as the organic cosolvent. RP high performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that a new chromatographically distinct component is generated on incubation, and this has been identified as alpha 1-47 by amino acid analysis, redigestion with V8-protease (in the absence of n-propanol), and tryptic peptide mapping. Optimal conditions for the synthesis of alpha 1-47 is at pH 6.0, 4 degrees C, and 24 hr of incubation with 25% n-propanol as organic cosolvent. This stereospecific condensation of the fragments proceeded to a high level of about 50% in 24 hr. Further incubation up to 72 hr did not increase the yield of alpha 1-47, suggesting that an equilibration of synthesis and hydrolysis reactions has been attained. The demonstration of the synthetic potential of V8-protease and the fact that alpha 1-30 and alpha 31-141 interact to form a native-like complex, opens up an approach for the semisynthesis of covalent analogs of alpha-chain of hemoglobin S.
Abnormal glucose tolerance in β-thalassemia major

The question of whether iron overload causes glucose intolerance was studied in a group of 26 multiply transfused homozygous beta thalassemics. Of the 26, 13 (50%) had some abnormality in their oral glucose tolerance test, 5 fitting criteria for definite diabetes. Glucose intolerance correlated significantly with number of transfusions received and with age of the subjects, while a positive family history for diabetes was more common in the subjects with glucose intolerance. These data and a chart review of four deceased thalassemics with overt diabetes are consistent with the following conclusions: (1) glucose intolerance is common in multiply transfused thalassemics; (2) the incidence of abnormal glucose tolerance correlates with the number of transfusions received and the age of the subject; (3) a family history of diabetes may predisose multiply transfused thalassemics to glucose intolerance.
Fiber-optic-based sensing of banded luminescence in corals

Ultraviolet irradiation of a sectional slice of the aragonitic skeleton cut along the growth axis of coral colonies reveals a series of alternating luminescent bands, the intensity of which appears to be related to environmental conditions at the former growth surface of the colony. Studies of the patterns of annual density banding in coral skeletons, as revealed by X-ray radiography, have been used in much the same way that growth rings in trees are used to provide indications of past environmental conditions. A second class of studies on coral skeletons attempts to quantify chemical and isotopic markers which are included within the calcium carbonate matrix to similar known climatic or environmental variables. The luminescence signal is generally believed to arise from the skeletal inclusion of varying amounts of naturally fluorescent dissolved organic matter (DOM) chromophores present in seawater. In particular, it has been argued that the fluorescent banding observed in corals found growing adjacent to coastal regions impacted by periodic discharge of terrestrially derived fluorescent humic and fulvic acids may thus be used as a proxy for past river discharge and, hence, past rainfall. It may be noted, however, that other components of calcium carbonate matrices, e.g., impurity Mn2+ may contribute to some of the total observed luminescence signal.
Three-dimensional, time-resolved motion of the coronary arteries.

Background. Coronary artery motion can decrease image quality during coronary magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography coronary angiography. Purpose. To characterize the three‐dimensional motion of the coronary arteries along the entire vessel length and to identify the temporal location and duration of periods of relatively low cardiac motion in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods. Archived digital, biplane x‐ray angiography films acquired at 30 frames per second with simultaneous electrocardiogram recording were reviewed for 15 patients with coronary artery disease. The right coronary (RCA), left anterior descending (LAD), and left circumflex (LCX) arteries were divided into proximal, mid, and distal segments. The displacement and velocity of a point in each segment were calculated throughout the heart cycle. Time‐dependent, three‐dimensional motion of each segment on each vessel was determined. Periods of the heart cycle during which maximal displacement was less than 1 mm or 0...
The status of chemical analysis in environmental research and control.

The role of chemical analysis in setting and enforcing environmental regulations is reviewed. The general procedure developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for evaluation of the ambient air quality reference methods is reviewed, and the results of collaborative tests to determine their reliability are summarized. The role of Standard Reference Materials for quality assurance of environmental measurements is discussed.
Detecting flaws and intruders with visual data analysis

The task of sifting through large amounts of data to find useful information spawned the field of data mining. Most data mining approaches are based on machine-learning techniques, numerical analysis, or statistical modeling. They use human interaction and visualization only minimally. Such automatic methods can miss some important features of the data. Incorporating human perception into the data mining process through interactive visualization can help us better understand the complex behaviors of computer network systems. This article describes visual-analytics-based solutions and outlines a visual exploration process for log analysis. Three log-file analysis applications demonstrate our approach's effectiveness in discovering flaws and intruders in network systems.
Analysis of RF modes in the ANL APS vacuum chamber using computer simulation, electron beam excitation, and perturbation techniques

A real-time MAFIA-T3 study in 3-D was done to investigate RF modes in the APS (Advanced Photon Source) vacuum chamber, and a measurement of modes excited by a 38-ps, 20-MeV electron beam has been completed. Some measurements taken with a network analyzer and bead perturbation equipment are also discussed. It is concluded that any TM/sub z/ modes excited in the beam chamber will be confined there. >
Sterilization of Living Human and Animal Tissue by Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma

Summary form only given. Sterilization prior to a medical procedure (pre-operative), during, or following such a procedure has always been an issue at a hospital. Sterilization by liquid chemistry (alcohol, or Betadinetrade) has been available for a long time; however, such a procedure becomes difficult if not impossible when attempting to sterilize an open wound, a diabetic sore, or a burn site. Thus, controllable and targeted sterilization of living tissue without contact with or damage to this tissue is needed. Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasmas have long been used in sterilization of various surfaces without damage to such surfaces and offer a good solution for skin sterilization as well. Presented is a method of sterilization of living tissue using a floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge (FF-DBD), based on a conventional DBD. Here plasma is bounded by quartz dielectric on one side and tissue of a living animal or human on the other side. Complete sterilization (> 7-log reduction in viable colony forming units) is shown from common bacteria abundant on human skin (Streptococcus staphylococcus, and yeast), and from model bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis spores, etc. Sterilization is normally achieved, depending on initial microorganism concentration, in 2 to 6 seconds of treatment (up to 15 seconds in some special cases), while no damage is observed during such treatment either visually or microscopically. Microscopic tissue damage assessment is carried out via tissue collection, sectioning, Haematoxylin and Eosin stain (H&E), and microscopic analysis. Mechanisms of this interaction and plasma selectivity to killing bacteria without damaging skin will be discussed. Data from a differential skin toxicity trial on SKIII hairless mice will be presented. During this trial, plasma doses are escalated until damage to animal skin is observed. Plasma-chemical effects are separated from thermal damage by use of FE-DBD plasma in non-thermal (microfilament temperature ~300 K +/-30 K) or thermal (~500-700 K) regimes. Non-thermal plasma regimes are shown to be less damaging while achieving nearly the same sterilization efficiency.
Intraspinal Sarcoidosis: Diagnosis and Management

OBJECTIVE Isolated intramedullary spinal cord or cauda equina involvement by sarcoidosis is quite rare. We report three patients with intraspinal sarcoidosis and absent systemic manifestations of the disease. The clinical presentation, operative management, electrophysiologic studies, pathology, laboratory investigations, and current therapy are discussed with attention to the previous literature. METHODS Two of the three patients had a preoperative diagnosis of a cervical intramedullary spinal cord tumor. The third patient had the preoperative diagnosis of an infectious process involving the cauda equina. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium did not suggest an inflammatory process. Intraoperative somatosensory evoked potential performed in two patients exhibited normal amplitudes, but a prolonged latency in seven out of eight extremities; with normal central conduction time suggesting a peripheral or radicular involvement. All three patients underwent laminectomy and biopsy of the intraspinal pathology. RESULTS Pathologic examination demonstrated sarcoidosis in all three patients. Intraoperative observations, intramedullary nodules, and thickening of the meninges were inconsistent with neoplasm and limited the surgical procedure to a biopsy. Frozen sections performed at two of the operations revealed an inflammatory process that confirmed the intraoperative observations. Postoperatively, the diagnostic work-up for all patients was negative for systemic manifestations. CONCLUSIONS Isolated intraspinal sarcoidosis is a rare process. The current management for intramedullary spinal cord or cauda equina sarcoidosis is prolonged corticosteroids. The surgeon should not attempt complete resection if this granulomatous process is suspected.
Principles from clinical trials relevant to clinical practice: Part I.

This last installment of a 4-part series discusses the final 5 of 11 principles derived from clinical trials during the last 2 decades of cardiovascular clinical research and the need to apply them to the care of individual patients with heart diseases. As therapies have become more biologically potent, it has become increasingly clear that every treatment can be harmful in some patients while being beneficial in others, and often both good and bad effects occur in the same patient. With many therapies, clinical characteristics can identify patients with greater expected benefit or risk, and pharmacogenetics may offer further insight into predicting which patients will achieve the greatest benefit and which will have the greatest risk of harm. For example, we know that women are at higher risk for torsades de pointes when they are treated with QT-interval-prolonging drugs, and it is likely that a genetic predisposition may be important.1 Unfortunately, however, the relative power of these findings is limited, and we are left with broad treatment guidelines that will leave patients at risk of harm that cannot be predicted in absolute terms. The recognition that therapeutics are not commonly either “good” or “bad,” but carry a mixture of good and bad effects, has spawned the concept of risk-management in therapeutics. Each clinician has the responsibility of helping the patient place these risks and benefits in perspective when making decisions about therapeutics. Inevitably, this approach will require an improved grasp of probabilities and quantitative outcome estimates by clinicians and patients. Furthermore, there is an implied responsibility, both to participate in the generation of knowledge about risks and benefits through clinical trials and to report adverse events observed in the post-marketing period. Such adverse event reporting played the critical role in identifying cisapride as a cause of sudden death2 …
Impact of Source Reduction on the Spatial Distribution of Larvae and Pupae of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Suburban Neighborhoods of a Piedmont Community in North Carolina

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is a principal nuisance mosquito species and a potential arbovirus vector throughout its geographic range in the United States. This species lays eggs, and progeny complete development in water-filled containers that are discarded in suburban landscapes. Source reduction of containers, achieved through environmental sanitation, was used to experimentally manipulate mosquito production to gain insight into the spatial structure of the population of immature Ae. albopictus. Our studies were conducted in suburban landscapes in Raleigh, NC, during the 2002 and 2003 mosquito seasons. Spatial analyses, using estimates of the mean and total standing crop of pupae and counts of the numbers of mosquito-positive containers, showed that the distribution of mosquito production was not spatially dependent on a neighborhood-wide basis. However, in all neighborhoods, mosquito production was clustered in at least one and often more than one adjacent residence. Point pattern analyses that considered only the presence or absence of pupae showed that pupae-positive residences were dispersed throughout neighborhoods receiving monthly source reduction treatments and clustered throughout control neighborhoods, indicating that source reduction affected the spatial distribution of pupae. Conversely, spatial analyses based on the presence or absence of larvae and pupae showed that mosquito production was randomly distributed among residences in both control and source reduction neighborhoods, showing that Ae. albopictus recolonized containers within several weeks after source reduction was implemented. Knowledge of the spatial distribution of production sites would allow management efforts for Ae. albopictus to be targeted to residences supporting high levels of mosquito production.
Relative bioavailability of an extemporaneous ondansetron 4-mg capsule formulation versus solution.

Study Objective. To compare the relative bioavailability of an extemporaneous ondansetron capsule formulation with that of an identical dose of the commercially available solution formulation. Design. Open-label, randomized, two-way crossover study. Setting. University-affiliated research laboratory. Subjects. Sixteen (eight men, eight women) healthy, nonsmoking volunteers. Intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a 4-mg dose of either the commercially available ondansetron solution or the extemporaneous ondansetron capsule formulation. Blood sampling was performed over 12 hours after dosing. After a washout period of at least 3 days, each participant was switched to the alternate formulation, and blood sampling was repeated. Measurements and Main Results. Ondansetron was well absorbed after administration of both formulations, with the solution achieving a faster rate of drug absorption over the first hour of dosing. After the peak plasma concentration was achieved, the plasma concentration-time curves of both formulations declined at a similar steady rate. There were no significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between the two formulations, and the relative bioavailability of the capsule versus the solution formulation was 101%. Conclusions. Similar concentration-time curves and pharmacokinetic parameters were achieved with the two formulations. The commercially available solution would be a useful alternative formulation for administration of low-dose ondansetron in research and clinical settings.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Properties of Cosolvent Solutions

The physical and dynamical properties of sodium chloride, guanidinium chloride, urea, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol solutions have been investigated as a function of cosolvent concentration using molecular dynamics simulations. Properties studied included: solution densities, radial distribution functions and coordination numbers, diffusion constants, residence and reorientational times, and dielectric properties. In most cases, the observed trends in the experimental data as a function of increasing concentration were well reproduced. However, quantitative agreement with experiment was relatively poor, with most cosolvent effects being exaggerated in the simulations. The results highlight significant differences as well as similarities between the effects of guanidinium chloride and urea cosolvents. Aggregation of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol molecules in water at higher concentrations was also observed, in agreement with experiment.
Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is associated with histologic tumor type in canine mammary carcinoma.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible member of the family of cyclooxygenase enzymes that has been implicated in the genesis of numerous cancers. The role of COX-2 in canine mammary neoplasia remains to be more clearly elucidated. The goal of the study reported here was to determine whether a direct association between levels of COX-2 expression and tumor histologic subtype exists in canine mammary carcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using a polyclonal antiprostaglandin G/H synthase 2 IgG COX-2 antibody. Sections from the kidneys of young dogs, which stain positive for COX-2 in the macula densa, served as positive controls. Slides were reviewed by a single pathologist, and were evaluated for COX-2 expression according to previously established scales. Positive-staining tumors were given a COX-2 staining distribution (on the basis of the percentage of positive staining cells in five 400x fields) and intensity score according to previously established scales. The product of the COX-2 staining distribution and intensity scores was calculated to create a COX-2 staining index. COX-2 expression was detected in 28 of 50 (56%) samples evaluated. Anaplastic carcinomas had a significantly higher COX-2 staining distribution, intensity, and index, compared with those for adenocarcinomas (P , 0.0001). The overall percentage of positive tumors (56%) was consistent with that of prior studies. To the authors' knowledge, these results indicate, for the first time, a direct association between COX-2 expression and tumor histologic subtype in canine mammary carcinomas. Future research directed at measuring tumor response in canine mammary carcinoma patients treated with a selective COX-2 inhibitor is indicated.
The Effect of Energy Level of the Diet on Growth, Feed Efficiency and Degree of Fattening of Turkeys

Abstract Carver, Wilhelm and Cook (1938) and Robertson and Carver (1941) have shown that turkeys can balance their feed intake to give optimum growth with a wide variety of feeding systems such as mash and grain; mash, pellets, and grain; pellets and grain; or a 32 percent concentrate and grain. These workers found differences in feed efficiency due to the different feeding systems. Pellets and grain or concentrate and grain fed free choice gave the greatest efficiency of feed utilization. The study reported in this paper was conducted to determine the relative efficiencies of several pellet and grain combinations for producing turkeys. Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys of both sexes were grown to 8 weeks of age under practical conditions. They were then divided by sex into 12 groups of approximately 50 birds each and put on winter wheat range. The birds were weighed individually and their feed consumption measured, at 4-week …
Target feedback loop/loop transfer recovery (TFL/LTR) robust control design procedures

Target feedback loop/loop transfer recovery (TFL/LTR) is introduced. It represents a general class of robust controller design procedures which are carried out in two sequential steps, namely, TFL design and LTR. several different compensator structures are considered for TFL/LTR designs. The standard linear quadratic Gaussian/loop transfer recovery (LQG/LTR) method becomes a particular type of TFL/LTR procedure, as it involves specific TFL designs and LTR schemes for one particular controller structure. Target feedback loop designs superior to those of LQG/LTR are presented. These use the regulators termed amplified linear quadratic regulator, linear Lyapunov regulator and their dual filters, gain-scaled Kalman filter and Lyapunov filter. A detailed theoretical treatment of these regulators and filters is given. Proofs are furnished for their nominal stability and the outstanding guaranteed stability margins. In addition, some techniques of singular value matching are developed for the purpose of loop shaping. Loop transfer recovery for different controller structures is discussed, and the advantages of the new structures are highlighted. >
Differential Amplifier With Current-Mirror Load: Influence of Current Gain, Early Voltage, and Supply Voltage on the DC Output Voltage

A differential amplifier composed of an emitter-coupled pair is useful as an example in lecture presentations and laboratory experiments in electronic circuit analysis courses. However, in an active circuit with zero input load Vid, both laboratory measurements and PSPICE and LTspice simulation results for the output voltage Vo are considerably lower than one base emitter unit VBE(on) below the supply voltage VCC, as predicted by a textbook derivation. Modification of the derivation to include the p-n-p transistor base currents and the current gain βP and the supply voltage and specifications for the four transistors provide equations that predict results for Vo that are consistent with laboratory experience and computer simulations. The output voltage is in excess of three VBE(on) units below VCC when βP is 50. At larger values for βP , Vo is increased by a factor proportional to 1/βP, reaching one VBE(on) unit below VCC as βP approaches infinity. Larger values for VCC cause an additional modest difference between VCC and Vo at low values for βP. The derived equations and LTspice values are used to develop an empirical equation that predicts output voltages for the given Early voltages. The technique is adaptable to student data evaluation assignments. The computer simulations also showed that increased supply voltage results in increased gain for a given input value for Vid, while larger values for βP result in a modest increase in gain at all values of VCC.
Depressive illness and Navajo healing

What is the experience of Navajo patients in Navajo religious healing who, by the criteria and in the vernacular of contemporary psychiatry, would be diagnosed with the disorder called depression? We ask this question in the context of a double dialogue between psychiatry and anthropology and between these disciplines' academic constructs of illness and those of contemporary Navajos. The dialogue is conducted in the arena of patient narratives, providing a means for observing and explicating processes of therapeutic change in individuals, for illustrating variations in forms of Navajo religious healing sought out by patients demonstrating similar symptoms of distress, and for considering the heuristic utility of psychiatric diagnoses and nomenclature in the conceptualization of illness, recovery, and religious healing. From among the 37 percent of patients participating in the Navajo Healing Project who had a lifetime history of a major depressive illness, three are discussed herein, their selection based on two criteria: (1) all met formal psychiatric diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode at the time of their healing ceremonies, and (2) together, their experiences illustrate the range of contemporary Navajo religious healing, including Traditional, Native American Church (NAC), and Christian forms. We suggest that, despite the explicit role of the sacred in religious healing interventions available to Navajo patients, differences between biomedical and religious healing systems may be of less significance than their shared existential engagement of problems such as those glossed as depression.
Dynamic power sharing strategy for active hybrid energy storage systems

Batteries have been used as main energy storage devices in hybrid electric vehicles and portable electronics for many years and they are good in the medium-term low-power applications, but low dynamics and relatively shorter lifespan are their main week points. Due to their fast power response, high power density and high cycling capability, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors are becoming a promising option for short-term high-power applications. Therefore, it is desirable to combine supercapacitors and batteries in a hybrid energy storage system. This paper presents a dynamic strategy for the active power sharing in hybrid battery/supercapacitor energy storage systems. The power sharing ratio can be dynamically changed during the runtime. The battery may be predominant in the charging or discharging mode when the load demand is relatively low. When the load is rising, the power sharing ratio of the battery is decreasing, while the power ratio of the supercapacitor is increasing simultaneously. This dynamic strategy enables power sharing to depend upon the load demand and makes full use of different capabilities of the battery and supercapacitor. Different dynamic power sharing strategies are tested under different repetitive pulsed load conditions. The effects of different power sharing ratios on the battery and supercapacitor state of charge are also investigated.
Long-wavelength high-contrast grating VCSEL

Long-wavelength VCSELs incorporating high-contrast gratings are demonstrated using planar, proton-implant structure, enabling low-cost manufacturing. We demonstrate 1550-nm VCSELs with single-mode CW operation up to 65C, 1.4 mW CW output at room temperature and error-free 2.5 Gb/s modulation.
Efficient generation of coherent blue and green light in KTiOPO/sub 4/ crystals

We have investigated second-harmonic generation (SHG) in short-period periodically poled bulk and waveguide potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) crystals to generate blue light using subpicosecond laser pulses in the forward configuration. The highest conversion efficiency is about 32%. We have also generated blue light due to completely quasi-phase matched cascaded SHG and sum-frequency generation (SFG) in periodically-poled waveguides.
Adding scale to the primal sketch

The author shows how a scale dimension can be added to Marr's (1976) primal sketch to facilitate construction of multiscale descriptions of two-dimensional scales. In contrast to conventional scale-space approaches, this method omits any smoothing or blurring and performs grouping operations on symbolic shape tokens residing in a scale-space blackboard data structure. Two types of grouping operation are introduced: (1) fine-to-coarse aggregation of primitive-edge tokens builds coarser-scale edge maps from finer-scale information; and (2) pairwise grouping of symmetrically placed primitive edges gives rise to a primitive partial region token denoting curved-contour, primitive-corner, and bar events. The resulting collection of tokens makes the fundamental edge and region components of a shape's geometry available to later symbolic processes, leading to shape recognition or other tasks. >
Systemic Administration of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Monoclonal Antibody Reduces the Growth of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Nude Mouse Model

Papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) are the most common thyroid cancers in children. Most are successfully treated with surgery and radioactive iodine, but some persist. PTC express high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor (Flt-1). PTC with the most intense expression of VEGF have the greatest recurrence risk. We hypothesized that blockade of VEGF would inhibit PTC growth. To test this, we used systemic VEGF monoclonal antibody (VEGF-MAb) to treat PTC xenografts in nude mice. Treated animals (n = 9) received 200 µg VEGF-MAb by daily ip injection for 10 wk, while control animals (n = 9) received vehicle alone. Tumor size was significantly reduced in the treatment group (0.28 ± 0.06 vs 1.05 ± 0.25 g, p = 0.008). VEGF immunostaining was more intense (2.57 ± 0.30 vs 1.75 ± 0.25, p = 0.06) and the number of p53 positive cells was increased (1.66 ± 0.24 vs 0.83 ± 0.31, p = 0.048) in treated tumors. Animal weight was similar in both groups (29.1 ± 1.1 vs 27.4 ± 1.1 g, p = 0.30). In conclusion, systemic VEGF-MAb significantly reduced the growth of PTC, suggesting that VEGF-MAb might be useful for treatment of resistant PTC. (received 14 February 2003, accepted 27 March 2003)
Greater Resting Lumbar Extensor Myofascial Stiffness in Younger Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Than Age-Comparable Healthy Volunteers Quantified by Myotonometry.

Abstract Objective To quantify resting lumbar erector myofascial stiffness in younger patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and age-comparable healthy control subjects using a handheld mechanical impulse-based myotonometric device. Design A case-control study of 24 patients with AS and 24 age-comparable healthy control subjects. Setting University physical therapy department. Participants Patients with AS (men: n=19; women: n=5; total: N=24) and healthy volunteers (men: n=19; women: n=5; total: N=24) without low back pain (age range, 18–46y). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Lumbar myofascial stiffness. Results At the initial measurements, median stiffness (Nm) of the averaged right- and left-sided values was greater ( P =.021) in 24 patients with AS than 24 control subjects (268.9 vs 238.9, respectively). Repeated measurements after a 10-minute prone resting period were also greater ( P =.007) in patients with AS than control subjects (281.0 vs 241.4, respectively). The 48 averaged right- and left-sided values from baseline and 10-minute measurements were compared in each subject group. The patients with AS more frequently ( P =.012) had stiffness values >250Nm (35 [72.9%] vs 22 [45.8%] in control subjects). Conclusions Lumbar myofascial stiffness was greater in 24 patients with AS than in the control subjects. A hypothesized biomechanical concept of increased resting lumbar myofascial stiffness in AS may be supported by this preliminary controlled study.
The Civil Rights Template and the Americans with Disabilities Act: A Socio-Legal Perspective on the Promise and Limits of Individual Rights

In this paper, we consider the promises and limits of what we call "the civil rights template," a public policy model which addresses social injustices through lawsuits that punish discrete, culpable acts of discrimination, much as common law tort suits deter and punish irresponsible acts that cause injury. As critics have argued, the template is problematic because (1) organizational practices and routines are a far more powerful source of inequality than individual discriminatory acts, so that (2) lawsuits narrowly aimed at discrete acts of discrimination have limited ability to eradicate social inequalities. For us as sociolegal scholars, though, this is just the beginning of the matter. The big question left is the extent to which the civil rights template can be used as a political resource for institutional change. Under what conditions can individual lawsuits go beyond the particular facts of the case to reshape the practices of organizations? There is a large literature in sociolegal studies that addresses this question. In this chapter we illustrate some of the themes of that literature with some data from our research on organizational responses to the accessibility provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law explicitly fashioned on the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Processing Effects on Formation of Microvoids and Hydraulic Fluid Absorption of Quartz/BMI Laminates

Bismaleimide (BMI) resin with Quartz (AQ581) fiber reinforcement is desirable for systems requiring a high glass transition temperature, low dielectric properties, and high laminate mechanical properties. These properties make quartz/BMI an ideal composite material for complex aerospace structures, and are currently being used in various aircraft engine cowlings and radomes. In addition to moisture absorption, quartz/BMI composite laminates are often exposed to different types of hydraulic fluid contaminants, which may lead to anomalous absorption behavior over the service life of the composite structure. Variations in laminate processing conditions, such as prepreg preconditioning and fabrication cure pressure, can have a significant effect on microstructural features of fiber-reinforced composites. Microstructural features, such as fiber volume fraction and void content, can influence mechanical properties and long term absorption of moisture or other liquid contaminants.In this paper, the process-induced microstructure and hydraulic fluid absorption behavior of quartz/BMI laminates are presented. The laminates are fabricated from preconditioned prepregs and cured at different pressures to generate different levels of microvoids, while keeping the fiber volume fraction constant. Location, size and morphology of microvoids are investigated via SEM images obtained from laminates cured at different processing conditions. Composite samples were prepared and fully-immersed in hydraulic fluid at room temperature, and were not subjected to any prior degradation. The laminate samples immersed in hydraulic fluid exhibited clear non-Fickian absorption behavior, which was successfully predicted by the one-dimensional Hindered Diffusion Model (HDM). The degree of non-Fickian absorption behavior, or hindrance coefficient (μ), ranged from 0.30 to 0.72. Model prediction indicates that as the fabrication pressure increased, the maximum fluid content (M∞) decreased considerably. Additionally, a reduction in maximum fluid content was observed when lower relative humidity environments were used for prepreg preconditioning. A discernable difference was not observed in the absorption dynamics when the prepregs were preconditioned at greater than 70% relative humidity.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
A Clinicopathologic Analysis of 45 Patients With Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma.

Objectives: Metaplastic breast carcinomas (MBCs) are rare, aggressive cancers lacking targeted therapy. Here, we review the clinicopathologic features, treatment, and outcomes of patients with MBC treated at our institution. Methods: We searched clinical and pathology databases for patients with histologically confirmed MBC from 1999 to 2012. We estimated survival probabilities using the Kaplan-Meier method and evaluated prognostic factors using Cox regression. Results: Forty-five cases were identified, including chondroid (24%), spindled (20%), sarcomatoid (16%), squamous (11%), and mixed (29%) histologic subtypes. Median tumor size was 3 cm, with 86% grade III and 69% triple-negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Most had negative lymph nodes, and two patients had metastases at diagnosis. Six patients received neoadjuvant therapy, with one pathologic complete response. All patients underwent surgery, 60% received adjuvant radiation, and 58% had adjuvant chemotherapy. Five-year recurrence-free survival was 64%; 5-year overall survival was 69%. Tumor size, history of breast cancer, and mixed histology were associated with inferior outcomes. Conclusions: We report one of the largest single-institution series of patients with MBC. MBC is associated with a poor prognosis, despite low nodal involvement. Most patients in this series had high-grade, triple-negative tumors and were treated with optimal therapy.
Linear-Optimization-Based Path Planning Algorithm for an Agricultural UAV

The introduction of UAVs to the agricultural monitoring problem has provided several advantages. UAVs can now scan crops in a fraction of the time it used to take scouts. The methods used for this, however, require that the UAVs be electric-powered. This means that they poses a significantly shorter endurance than gas-powered UAVs. A path planning method was developed to minimize the time required to scan a field. The method consists of selecting a region of interest, superimposing a grid, determining which nodes in the grid lie inside the region of interest, and minimizing the total number of images required to scan the field completely. Then, a method for plotting an efficient trajectory was developed that flies the UAV through all the points necessary for the scan. This method was implemented using an Octocopter UAV to scan a field using a multispectral camera. The resulting algorithm generates an optimal path if the computational power is available. If not, a semi-optimal method is used instead.
Tin oxide dependence of the CO2 reduction efficiency on tin electrodes and enhanced activity for tin/tin oxide thin-film catalysts.

The importance of tin oxide (SnOx) to the efficiency of CO2 reduction on Sn was evaluated by comparing the activity of Sn electrodes that had been subjected to different pre-electrolysis treatments. In aqueous NaHCO3 solution saturated with CO2, a Sn electrode with a native SnOx layer exhibited potential-dependent CO2 reduction activity consistent with previously reported activity. In contrast, an electrode etched to expose fresh Sn0 surface exhibited higher overall current densities but almost exclusive H2 evolution over the entire 0.5 V range of potentials examined. Subsequently, a thin-film catalyst was prepared by simultaneous electrodeposition of Sn0 and SnOx on a Ti electrode. This catalyst exhibited up to 8-fold higher partial current density and 4-fold higher faradaic efficiency for CO2 reduction than a Sn electrode with a native SnOx layer. Our results implicate the participation of SnOx in the CO2 reduction pathway on Sn electrodes and suggest that metal/metal oxide composite materials are promi...
Teaching Multi-Ethnic Literature: Some Psychological Considerations

To teach multi-ethnic literature of the United States successfully, no matter what the age of the student, a teacher must be prepared to steer a very delicate course; for though it can be argued that American literature in general is laden with emotional charges for all of us, multi-ethnic literature ups the voltage considerably. Here, students are likely to be confronted with an array of worldviews that will challenge many of their social biases. Because of the inclusive nature of the course, they will also be confronted with issues related to their own ethnic past and present. Many might just as soon not face the ghosts and will fight the course every inch of the way; others will discover doorways to a richer personal myth as they confront the demons. For the past five years I've taught such a course at the university level and have found it to be a deeply satisfying teaching experience. In considering why this course works so well, why it is the appropriate beginning to a more intensive study of particular ethnic literatures, and how the presentation might be developed to further enrich its value to students, I've looked beyond literary theory to a field whose insights are particularly relevant to the subject matter. The field I refer to is depth psychology, especially the model first created by the Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli in 1910. Although the connection between Assagioli's pioneering work in integrating the individual psyche and the study of American ethnic literature has not been elaborated-or even acknowledged-many of his major ideas offer an elegant and affirmative approach to understanding the role of ethnic groups in America and their potential to renew our national life. The relative lack of awareness of Assagioli's work as it applies to the study of ethnicity is not surprising given a more general ignorance of this psychology; whereas C.G. Jung's work has a wide following in the United States, Assagioli remains better known in Europe. However, the two men, separated in age by seventeen years, knew each other and corresponded cordially; and as with Jung's analytic psychology, Assagioli's psychosynthesis has been applied in the helping fields of psychotherapy, medicine, education, religion, and organizational de
Hypothalamic Facilitation of the Motor Cortex

Observations in this laboratory upon a monkey paralyzed from experimental poliomyelitis suggested that emotional states accompanied by hypothalamic activity may elicit cortically induced movements not otherwise operative. It was therefore decided to study the effect of direct stimulation of hypothalamic and adjacent forebrain nuclei upon skeletal muscular responses evoked by electrical stimulation of the cortical motor areas in the experimental animal, in the hope of further clarifying cortico-hypothalamic relations.1-4
Reduced intensity conditioning regimen with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, low dose TBI and alemtuzumab leading to successful unrelated umbilical cord stem cell engraftment and survival in two children with dyskeratosis congenita

Reduced intensity conditioning regimen with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, low dose TBI and alemtuzumab leading to successful unrelated umbilical cord stem cell engraftment and survival in two children with dyskeratosis congenita
The clinical effect analysis of Shensongyangxin capsule combined with Metoprolol in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias

Objective To analyze clinical efficacy of Shensongyagnxin capsule combined with Metoprolol in the treatment of arrhythmia. Methods 92 cases of patients with arrhythmia were selected from March 2010 to May 2013 in cardiology department of arrhythmia in our hospital, which were randomly divided into two groups, each group had 46 cases. Control group was given Metoprolol therapy alone, treatment group was given Shensongyangxin capsule combined with Metoprolol therapy. Observed the blood pressure, heart rate before and after treatment carefully in both group, the treatment effect of the two groups were compared after 2 months. Results After the treatment, in the treatment group, 26 cases had marked effect, 16 cases effective,4 cases ineffective, the total effective rate was 91.3%. In the control group, 18 cases had marked effect, 17 cases effective, 11 cases ineffective, the total effective rate was 76.1%. The treatment effective rate between the two groups have statistical significance(P 0.05). the treatment group blood pressure, heart rate compared with before treatment, the difference was statistically significant(P0.05), compared with control group, the decline significantly, the difference was statistically significant(P0.05). Conclusion Shensongyangxin capsule combined with Metoprolol arrhythmia id more effective to control ventricular rate. And it has significant clinical effect Clinical efficacy which is worthing to us in clinic.
Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic type B hepatitis: A prospective study

A prospective surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using serum alpha-fetoprotein and high-resolution, linear-array, real-time ultrasonography was carried out in 432 patients with clinicopathologically proven chronic type B hepatitis. During a follow-up period of 6-85 mo (median 23, mean 26.9 +/- 16.8 mo), asymptomatic HCC was identified in 8 patients, with a calculated annual incidence of 826/100,000, and 2768/100,000 for patients over age 35 yr. The relative risk of developing HCC in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive chronic hepatitis patients was 2 when compared to those that were hepatitis B surface antigen-negative, and was 5 when compared in patients over age 35 yr. Hepatocellular carcinomas detected by these methods were in a relatively early stage as most tumors were small, only 50% were associated with cirrhosis, 37.5% were positive for hepatitis B e antibody, and most were still resectable. We, therefore, recommend a combination of alpha-fetoprotein and ultrasonography surveillance in patients with chronic hepatitis in order to improve the chance of early HCC detection as well as the chance for successful resection. In addition, the low incidence of cirrhosis and hepatitis B e antibody in these patients with "early" HCCs and the occurrence of hepatitis B e antigen/hepatitis B e antibody seroconversion after HCC had developed suggest that the development of HCC and progression from hepatitis to cirrhosis were two independent (though related) sequelae of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Working Memory, Executive Control, and Aging

Research on cognitive aging seems to have three primary goals: first, to determine the extent to which the diversity of observed behavioral changes that occur with advancing age can be potentially explained by a small set of fundamental cognitive mechanisms or “primitives”; second, to thoroughly and explicitly specify the nature of these mechanisms, potentially by drawing links to underlying neurobiology or to more formalized descriptions of how such underlying mechanisms might bring about observable behavioral changes; and third, to use the knowledge gained in the pursuit of the first two goals to develop effective interventions that can minimize (or ideally, reverse) the effects of cognitive aging.