cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the validation of seismic imaging methods: Finite frequency or ray theory?

We investigate the merits of the more recently developed finite-frequency approach to tomography against the more traditional and approximate ray theoretical approach for state of the art seismic models developed for western North America. To this end, we employ the spectral element method to assess the agreement between observations on real data and measurements made on synthetic seismograms predicted by the models under consideration. We check for phase delay agreement as well as waveform cross-correlation values. Based on statistical analyses on S wave phase delay measurements, finite frequency shows an improvement over ray theory. Random sampling using cross-correlation values identifies regions where synthetic seismograms computed with ray theory and finite-frequency models differ the most. Our study suggests that finite-frequency approaches to seismic imaging exhibit measurable improvement for pronounced low-velocity anomalies such as mantle plumes.
Generalized typestate checking using set interfaces and pluggable analyses

We present a generalization of standard typestate systems in which the typestate of each object is determined by its membership in a collection of abstract typestate sets. This generalization supports typestates that model participation in abstract data types, composite typestates that correspond to membership in multiple sets, and hierarchical typestates. Because membership in typestate sets corresponds directly to participation in data structures, our typestate system characterizes global sharing patterns.In our approach, each module encapsulates a data structure and uses membership in abstract sets to characterize how objects participate in its data structure. Each analysis verifies that the implementation of the module 1) preserves important internal data structure representation invariants and 2) conforms to a specification that uses formulas in a set algebra to characterize the effects of operations on the data structure. The analyses use the common set abstraction to 1) characterize how objects participate in multiple data structures and to 2) enable the inter-analysis communication required to verify properties that depend on multiple modules analyzed by different analyses.
Fungal photobiology: visible light as a signal for stress, space and time

Visible light is an important source of energy and information for much of life on this planet. Though fungi are neither photosynthetic nor capable of observing adjacent objects, it is estimated that the majority of fungal species display some form of light response, ranging from developmental decision-making to metabolic reprogramming to pathogenesis. As such, advances in our understanding of fungal photobiology will likely reach the broad fields impacted by these organisms, including agriculture, industry and medicine. In this review, we will first describe the mechanisms by which fungi sense light and then discuss the selective advantages likely imparted by their ability to do so.
The Relationship between Credentialing and Professionalism: Adversarial or Synchronistic?

Abstract The purpose of this article is to provide a discussion on the relationship between credentialing and professionalism. The article includes definitions and illustrations of common terminology, methods of certification, and examples of the professionalization process described in health education. A main emphasis is the application of Boyer's principles of an effective “community” interwoven into the concept of professionalism and health education.
Deformable Image Registration with Local Rigidity Constraints for Cone-Beam CT Guided Spine Surgery

Image-guided spine surgery is associated with reduced co-morbidity and improved surgical outcome. However, precise localization of target anatomy and adjacent nerves and vessels relative to planning information (e.g., device trajectories) can be challenged by anatomical deformation. Rigid registration alone fails to account for deformation associated with changes in spine curvature, and conventional deformable registration fails to account for rigidity of the vertebrae, causing unrealistic distortions in the registered image that can confound high-precision surgery. We developed and evaluated a deformable registration method capable of preserving rigidity of bones while resolving the deformation of surrounding soft tissue. The method aligns preoperative CT to intraoperative CBCT using free-form deformation (FFD) with constraints on rigid body motion imposed according to a simple intensity threshold of bone intensities. The constraints enforced 3 properties of a rigid transformation – namely, constraints on affinity (AC), orthogonality (OC), and properness (PC). The method also incorporated an injectivity constraint (IC) to preserve topology. Physical experiments involving phantoms, an ovine spine, and a human cadaver as well as digital simulations were performed to evaluate the sensitivity to registration parameters, preservation of rigid body morphology, and overall registration accuracy of constrained FFD in comparison to conventional unconstrained FFD (denoted uFFD) and Demons registration. FFD with orthogonality and injectivity constraints (denoted FFD+OC+IC) demonstrated improved performance compared to uFFD and Demons. Affinity and properness constraints offered little or no additional improvement. The FFD+OC+IC method preserved rigid body morphology at near-ideal values of zero dilatation (&#x1d49f; = 0.05, compared to 0.39 and 0.56 for uFFD and Demons, respectively) and shear (&#x1d4ae; = 0.08, compared to 0.36 and 0.44 for uFFD and Demons, respectively). Target registration error (TRE) was similarly improved for FFD+OC+IC (0.7 mm), compared to 1.4 and 1.8 mm for uFFD and Demons. Results were validated in human cadaver studies using CT and CBCT images, with FFD+OC+IC providing excellent preservation of rigid morphology and equivalent or improved TRE. The approach therefore overcomes distortions intrinsic to unconstrained FFD and could better facilitate high-precision image-guided spine surgery.
Inhaled carbon monoxide suppresses the development of postoperative ileus in the murine small intestine

Abstract Background & Aims: The induction of heme oxygenase (HO-1), the rate-limiting enzyme in heme metabolism, is protective against injury in acute and chronic inflammation. Inhalation of low levels of carbon monoxide (CO), a byproduct of heme metabolism, has anti-inflammatory effects equal to HO-1 induction. This study examined whether inhaled CO was protective against the development of postoperative ileus. Methods: Ileus was induced by surgical anesthesia and gentle manipulation of the mouse small intestine. Animals were exposed to CO (250 ppm) in air 1 hour before and continuously for 24 hours after surgery. Results: CO inhalation prevented the manipulation-induced suppression of circular muscle contractility in vitro, and significantly improved gastrointestinal transit in vivo. Proinflammatory messenger RNA (mRNA) expression (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase 2 [COX-2], inducible nitric oxide [iNOS]) and anti-inflammatory mediator expression (IL-10 and HO-1) were elevated 3 to 6 hours after surgery relative to controls. CO treatment reduced IL-1β and iNOS peak expression by 75%, but not IL-6 or COX-2. In manipulated mice treated with CO, HO-1 expression peaked earlier (3 hours after surgery) and at levels 300% higher than in mice not exposed to CO. IL-10 expression at 3 hours also was 300% higher after CO treatment. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CO attenuates postoperative ileus by inhibiting selective elements within the inflammatory cascade and by enhanced induction of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In addition, the early and enhanced induction of HO-1 potentially amplifies the anti-inflammatory effects of the HO-1 pathway by protection from free radical stress and by increasing the tissue availability of CO directly at the sites of inflammation.
The association between state mandates of colorectal cancer screening coverage and colorectal cancer screening utilization among US adults aged 50 to 64 years with health insurance.

Several states in the US have passed laws mandating coverage of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests by health insurance plans. The impact of these state mandates on the use of colorectal cancer screening has not been evaluated among an age-eligible target population with access to care (i.e., health care insurance coverage). We collected information on state mandates implemented by December 31, 2008 and used data on insured adults aged 50 and 64 years from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System between 2002 and 2008 to classify individual-level exposure to state mandates for at least 1 year. Multivariate logistic regression models (with state- and year- fixed effects, and patient demographic and socioeconomic characteristics) were used to estimate the effect of state mandates on recent endoscopy screening (either flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy during the past year). From 1999-2008, twenty-two states in the US, including the District of Columbia passed comprehensive laws requiring health insurance coverage of CRC screening including endoscopy tests. Residence in states with CRC screening coverage mandates in place for at least 1 year was associated with a 1.4 percentage point increase in the probability of utilization of recent endoscopy (i.e., 17.5% screening rates in those with mandates versus 16.1% in those without, Adjusted OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.20, p = 0.02). The findings suggest a positive, albeit small, impact of state mandates on the use of recent CRC screening endoscopy among the target eligible population with health insurance. However, more research is needed to evaluate potential effects of mandates across health insurance types while including controls for other system-level factors (e.g. endoscopy and primary care capacity). National health insurance reform should strive towards a system that expands access to recommended CRC screening tests.
Psychotic disorder caused by traumatic brain injury.

Psychosis is a rare and severe sequela of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This article assists clinicians in differential diagnosis by providing literature-based guidance with regard to use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders 5 criteria for this condition. This article also describes potential relationships between TBI and the development of a psychosis within the conceptualization of psychosis as a neurobehavioral syndrome. Language: en
Demographic and Psychosocial Characteristics of Smokers and Nonsmokers in Low-Socioeconomic Status Rural Appalachian 2-Parent Families in Southern West Virginia

Context Rural Appalachian women living in poverty have a high prevalence of prenatal smoking; yet, few studies have examined this issue. Purpose To investigate the demographic and psychosocial characteristics of prenatal smokers and nonsmokers in low-socioeconomic status, rural Appalachian 2-parent families. Methods During an 18-month period, two thirds of eligible low-socioeconomic status prenatal patients were recruited for a longitudinal study from a community health clinic in a rural West Virginia county. Data for the present report are from 92 women with a husband/partner (37 smokers and 55 nonsmokers) who completed a prenatal interview in the last trimester of pregnancy. This interview included demographics, personality traits, self-esteem problems, social support, and marital/partner relationship. Findings Compared to nonsmokers, prenatal smokers were less likely to have completed high school, less extroverted, and also had lower self-esteem, less intimate support, and more negative marital relationship. Conclusions High school graduation and variables related to positive personality and supportive relationships distinguished smokers from nonsmokers. The causal relationship between these variables and prenatal smoking requires more work in larger and varied populations, and this study provides some direction for ongoing longitudinal investigation.
Finding Good Configurations in High-Dimensional Spaces: Doing More with Less

Manually tuning tens to hundreds of configuration parameters in a complex software system like a database or an application server is an arduous task. Recent work has looked into automated approaches for recommending good configuration settings that adaptively search the full space of possible configurations. These approaches are based on conducting experiments where each experiment runs the system with a selected configuration to observe the resulting performance. Experiments can be time-consuming and expensive, so only a limited number of experiments can be done even in systems with hundreds of configuration parameters. In this paper, we consider the problem of finding good configurations under the two constraints of high dimensionality (i.e., many parameters) and few experiments. We show how certain design decisions made in previous algorithms for finding good configurations make them perform poorly in this setting. We propose a new algorithm called MOWILE (MOre WIth LEss) that addresses these limitations, and outperforms previous algorithms by large margins as the number of parameters increase. Our empirical evaluation gives interesting insights that will benefit system administrators who apply experiment-driven approaches for configuration tuning.
Children with headache: Clinical predictors of surgical space-occupying lesions and the role of neuroimaging

PURPOSE: To determine clinical predictors useful in differentiation of surgical lesions from medically treated disorders and the role of neuroimaging in children with headache. MATERIALS' AND METHODS: In a 4-year retrospective study, 315 patients with headache and no known neurologic disorder underwent brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Sixty-nine patients also underwent brain computed tomography (CT). Clinical data were correlated with findings from MR imaging and CT and the final diagnosis by means of logistic regression. RESULTS: Thirteen (4%) patients had surgical space-occupying lesions. Seven independent multivariate predictors of a surgical lesion were identified. Sleep-related headache and no family history of migraine were the strongest predictors. Other predictors included vomiting, absence of visual symptoms, headache of less than 6 months duration, confusion, and abnormal neurologic examination findings. A positive correlation between number of predictors and risk of surgical lesion was no...
Thin-film solid-state proton NMR measurements using a synthetic mica substrate: Polymer blends☆

Solid-state proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements are performed successfully on polymer blend thin films through the use of synthetic mica as a substrate. When used as a substrate, synthetic fluorophlogopite mica with its proton-free, diamagnetic character, allows for adequate measurement sensitivity while minimally perturbing the proton thin-film spectra, especially relative to more commonly available natural micas. Specifically, we use multiple-pulse techniques in the presence of magic-angle spinning to measure the degree of mixing in two different polymer blend thin films, polystyrene/poly(xylylene ether) and poly(1-methyladamantyl methacrylate) (PMAdMA)/triphenylsulfonium perfluorobutanesulfonate (TPS-PFBS), spin-coated onto mica substrates. Our earlier studies had focused on bulk systems where NMR signals are stronger, but may not be representative of thin films of the same systems that are relevant to many applications such as photoresist formulations in the electronics industry. The superiority of synthetic over natural paramagnetic mica is demonstrated by the maintenance of resolution and spinning sideband intensities (relative to bulk samples) for the synthetic mica samples. In contrast, degraded resolution and large spinning sidebands are shown to typify spectra of the natural mica samples. This approach can be applied to many other proton measurements of solid thin films, thereby greatly extending the types of systems to be investigated. Magnetic susceptibility measurements are also reported for all micas used.
Dilute-sulfuric acid pretreatment of cattails for cellulose conversion

The use of aquatic plant cattails to produce biofuel will add value to land and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by replacing petroleum products. Dilute-sulfuric acid pretreatment of cattails was studied using a Dionex accelerated solvent extractor (ASE) varying acid concentration (0.1-1%), treatment temperature (140-180 °C), and residence time (5-10 min). The highest total glucose yield for both the pretreatment and enzyme hydrolysis stages (97.1% of the cellulose) was reached at a temperature of 180 °C, a sulfuric acid concentration of 0.5%, and a time of 5 min. Cattails pretreated with 0.5% sulfuric acid are digestible with similar results at enzyme loadings above 15 FPU/g glucan. Glucose from cattails cellulose can be efficiently fermented to ethanol with an approximately 90% of the theoretical yield. The results in this study indicate that cattails are a promising source of feedstock for advanced renewable fuel production.
Governmental intervention and gender preferences concerning violent content of videogaming materials

Through a discussion of the societal consequences of videogaming technology promoting aggressive and hostile behaviors, empirical examinations of the Entertainment Software Rating Board-rating system, government video interaction, and parental responsibility were examined to determine what roles that violence plays in videogaming materials. The hypotheses that examined these roles for the level of responsibilities and gender biases in dealing with limiting the amount of violence in videogaming materials were found to be significant among well-educated, working professionals; in particular, those who suggested higher levels of governmental intervention were less concerned on a renewed focus on parental guidance in monitoring the violent content of younger users’ gaming experiences.
Generalized Weighted Fairness and its application for resource allocation in IEEE 802.16e Mobile WiMAX

In wireless networks, the definition of fair resource allocation is ambiguous because the wireless channel condition is not constant over time and location. Two main ways to define fair resource allocation are: by number of allocated service time units per user, temporal fairness, or the number of transmitted bytes per user, throughput fairness. In wireless broadband networks i.e., IEEE 802.16e Mobile WiMAX, the quality of services level offered by service providers is associated with the price paid. Similar to a traditional cellular phone system, the users may be required to pay air-time charges. The throughput fairness is favorable to customers with a poor channel condition or those at a far distance. Slot fairness will be preferred by the customers near the base stations and with good channel condition. In this paper, we define the Generalized Weighted Fairness (GWF) criterion that allows carriers to implement either of the two fairness criteria applying into a Mobile WiMAX environment. In addition, we show how a scheduling algorithm can use the GWF criterion to achieve a general weighted fair resource allocation in IEEE 802.16e Mobile WiMAX networks. We use Deficit Round Robin with Fragmentation (DRRF) as an example of scheduling algorithm. Numerical and simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effect of the GWF.
Breast cancer targeting novel microRNA-nanoparticles for imaging

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one of the most prevalent small (~22 nucleotide) regulatory RNA classes in animals. These miRNAs constitute nearly one percent of genes in the human genome, making miRNA genes one of the more abundant types of regulatory molecules. MiRNAs have been shown to play important roles in cell development, apoptosis, and other fundamental biological processes. MiRNAs exert their influence through complementary base-pairing with specific target mRNAs, leading to degradation or translational repression of the targeted mRNA. We have identified and tested a novel microRNA (miR-491) and demonstrated increased apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) and in human breast cancer cells (HBT3477) in vitro. We prepared a novel cancer targeting assembly of gold nanoparticles (GNP) with Quantum dots, miR-491, and MAb-ChL6 coupled through streptavidin/biotin for effective transfection, and to induce apoptosis in specific cancer cells for imaging and targeted therapy. The targeting and apoptosis inducing ability was tested by confocal and electron microscopy. The MAb-GNP-miR491-Qdot construct effectively transfected into the HBT3477 cells and induced apoptosis the confirmation of these results would suggest a new class of molecules for the imaging and therapy of breast cancer.
Public-private partnerships improve health outcomes in individuals with early stage Alzheimer's disease.

Purpose In a collaborative effort between the Missouri Department of Health, Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), Alzheimer Association, and academic researchers, we tested whether early dementia detection and comprehensive care consultations would improve health outcomes in care receivers (CRs) and their family caregivers (FCGs), therefore addressing an important public health concern.
Strategic Networking among Small Businesses in Small US Communities

Social capital and strategic network theory formed the basis for examining antecedents, impacts, and outcomes of formal networks organized for enhancing small community business success. Qualitativ...
Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania presenting as otalgia with a sensation of external acoustic meatus obstruction: two cases and a pathophysiologic hypothesis.

Objective.—To describe two cases of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania manifested by otalgia with a sensation of external acoustic meatus obstruction and to suggest that the trigeminal-autonomic reflex is a mechanism for the sensation of ear blockage. Background.—Maximum pain in chronic paroxysmal hemicrania is most often in the ocular, temporal, maxillary, and frontal regions. It is less often located in the nuchal, occipital, and retro-orbital areas. Review of the literature on chronic paroxysmal hemicrania found no reports of pain primarily localized to the ear and associated with a sensation of external acoustic meatus obstruction. Methods.—The history, physical examination, imaging studies, and successful treatment plan in two patients with otalgia and ear fullness and a subsequent diagnosis of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania are summarized. Results.—The first patient was a 42-year-old woman with a 10-year history of unilateral, severe, paroxysmal otalgia occurring five times a day with a duration of 2 to 60 minutes. During an attack, the ear became erythematous and the external acoustic meatus felt obstructed. There were no other associated autonomic signs. The second patient was a 49-year-old woman with a 3-year history of unilateral, severe, paroxysmal otalgia occurring 4 to 15 times a day with a duration of 3 to 10 minutes. During an attack, her ear felt obstructed, and she noted ipsilateral eyelid edema and ptosis. Both patients quickly became pain-free after taking indomethacin and required its continued use to prevent headache recurrence. Conclusions.—Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania may be manifested by otalgia with a sensation of external ear obstruction. When the otalgia is paroxysmal, unilateral, severe, frequent, and associated with autonomic signs, one should consider the diagnosis of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, especially because of the prompt response to indomethacin. The most important feature to consider when making the diagnosis of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania is the frequent periodicity of discrete, brief attacks of unilateral cephalgia separated by pain-free intervals. It is hypothesized that the sensation of ear obstruction in these patients is due to swelling of the external acoustic meatus mediated through increased blood flow by the trigeminal-autonomic reflex.
Severe borderlines and self psychology

This paper will discuss work with a woman diagnosed as having borderline personality disorder because of classic symptoms of intense unstable affect, recurrent suicidality, self-mutilation, and primitive defensive organization. Once a selfobject transference tie was established, the borderline symptoms remitted. Discussion of this case will focus on the clinical application of concepts from the field of psychoanalytic self psychology, particularly the concepts of self-object functions and intersubjectivity, in work with patients diagnosed as borderline.
Comparison of Abuse Experiences of Rural and Urban African American Women During Perinatal Period

A subsample of 12 African American women (6 urban and 6 rural) were selected from a larger longitudinal, randomized control trial, Domestic Violence Enhanced Home Visitation (DOVE-R01 900903 National Institute of Nursing Research [NINR]/National Institutes of Health [NIH]). All African American women were chosen to control for any racial- and/or race-related cultural differences that may exist among women across geographical areas. The experiences of abuse during the perinatal period are drawn from in-depth interviews conducted at five points in time during pregnancy and the post-partum period. The analysis describes three major themes that highlight the similarities and differences among rural and urban women. The main themes found were (1) types of abuse, (2) location of abuse, and (3) response to abuse. In addition, two sub-themes (a) defiance and compliance and (b) role of children were also identified. Implications for universal screening for women of reproductive age, safer gun laws, and the need fo...
Development of Radamide Analogs as Grp94 Inhibitors

Abstract Hsp90 isoform-selective inhibition is highly desired as it can potentially avoid the toxic side-effects of pan-inhibition. The current study developed selective inhibitors of one such isoform, Grp94, predicated on the chimeric and pan-Hsp90 inhibitor, radamide (RDA). Replacement of the quinone moiety of RDA with a phenyl ring (2) was found to be better suited for Grp94 inhibition as it can fully interact with a unique hydrophobic pocket present in Grp94. An extensive SAR for this scaffold showed that substitutions at the 2- and 4-positions (8 and 27, respectively) manifested excellent Grp94 affinity and selectivity. Introduction of heteroatoms into the ring also proved beneficial, with a 2-pyridine derivative (38) exhibiting the highest Grp94 affinity (Kd = 820 nM). Subsequent cell-based assays showed that these Grp94 inhibitors inhibit migration of the metastatic breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, as well as exhibit an anti-proliferative affect against the multiple myeloma cell line, RPMI 8226.
Flexible thin film temperature and strain sensor array utilizing a novel sensing concept

Flexible arrays of resistive temperature and strain sensors have been designed, and fabricated on polyimide sheets. We describe a novel sensor design concept, utilizing materials selection combined with specific device layout design, such that both temperature and strain values can be determined from resistance values of parallel sensor pairs, regardless of complex strain fields or temperature distribution. Fabrication of thin film Pt and NiCr resistive sensor arrays, with Cu conducting lines, on polyimide demonstrates the sensing concept. Temperature and strain sensing capabilities are demonstrated for temperatures up to 200 °C and up to 2% tensile strain.
Patristic Evidence and the Textual Criticism of the New Testament

Of the three kinds of evidence which are used in ascertaining the text of the New Testament – namely, evidence supplied by Greek manuscripts, by early versions, and by scriptural quotations preserved in the writings of the Church Fathers - it is the last which involves the greatest diffculties and the most problems. There are difficulties, first of all, in obtaining the evidence, not only because of the labour of combing through the very extensive literary remains of the Fathers in search of quotations from the New Testament, but also because satisfactory editions of the works of many of the Fathers have not yet been produced. More than once in earlier centuries an otherwise well-meaning editor accommodated the biblical quotations contained in a given patristic document to the current text of the New Testament against the authority of the manuscripts of the document. 1 Part of the problem, more-over, is that exactly the same thing took place prior to the invention of printing. As Hort pointed out, ‘Whenever a transcriber of a patristic treatise was copying a quotation differing from the text to which he was accustomed, he had virtually two originals before him, one present to his eyes, the other to his mind; and if the difference struck him, he was not unlikely to treat the written examplar as having blundered.’ 2 .
The influence of second phase Ti3Al on the deformation mechanisms in TiAl

Abstract Dislocations in samples of a heat-treated and quenched two phase Ti-46at.% Al alloy have been characterized, and those with Burgers vectors, b, given by b=½<1l0] and b=½<112] have been observed. The microstructure of deformed samples is characterized mainly by dislocations with b=½<1l0]. These dislocations have high Peierls stresses in TiAl of nominal purity, because of the directionality of bonds between the Ti atoms. Therefore, the present observations have been interpreted on the basis that the phase Ti3Al getters the interstitial elements from the TiAl, since the solubility of these elements in the former phase is significantly larger than in the latter. It is proposed that the removal of interstitials from TiAl in this way decreases the degree of directionality of bonding between the Ti atoms, and so reduces the anisotropy in Peierls stresses caused by these directional bonds. A relatively large number of twins have also been observed in the lamellae of TiAl, and this may be interpreted on t...
From policy lessons to policy actions: motivation to take evaluation seriously

The purpose of this article is to analyse the institutional aspects of creating effective systems for monitoring and evaluations (M&E) in government-led rural development efforts in developing countries. We argue that the ultimate challenge of creating effective M&E systems for public policy is not only related to the supply of information and the delivery of new knowledge to policy makers, but more importantly to their demand for lessons learnt about the effects of earlier policies. The challenge, then, is for governments to construct institutional arrangements that support the transformation of policy lessons into policy actions. This article shows that the likelihood of this transformation is closely related to the capacity of institutions to deliver mechanisms for downward accountability and processes for organisational learning. We add to earlier work in this area by considering the conditions under which such a transformation process is more or less likely, given the severe power and information asymmetries that characterise the institutional context of many developing countries' national governments. We use the tools of institutional analysis to examine the incentive structures of the actors involved in two concrete field settings, and assess to what extent these actors are likely to take evaluations seriously. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibiotic Therapy of Lung Abscess: Effectiveness of Penicillin

SUMMARY From 1944 through 1953 at the University of Arkansas Medical Center, therapy of 24 patients with primary lung abscess was inadequate: six died, ten required surgery, and only nine (38 per cent) had a good result. In contrast, of 63 patients treated from 1954 through 1963, only two died, 14 had surgery, and 55 (87 per cent) had a good result. In this group, age significantly influenced response; seven of eight with poor responses were over 60 years old. An analysis of the effect of antibiotics revealed that penicillin was very effective. In 51 patients given penicillin only, one died and three had inadequate healing, while surgery was necessary in only seven (14 per cent). In contrast, of 12 patients receiving combined antibiotics, one died, three had inadequate healing, and four required surgery. These results indicate that penicillin alone is adequate antibiotic therapy for primary pyogenic abscesses.
A State-selected study of the symmetric charge transfer reaction H2+ + H2

Abstract We have measured the relative total charge transfer cross sections of H 2 + + H 2 as a function of the vibrational state of H 2 + , υ′ o = 0–4. using the crossed ion-neutral beam and high-resolution photoionization methods. The experimental results obtained at a center-of-mass collisional energy of 22.5 eV are found to be in excellent agreement with a recent theoretical study.
REGULATION of the EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX INTERACTOME by Trypanosoma cruzi.

It has been shown that the invasive trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi use and modulate components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during the initial process of infection. Infective trypomastigotes up-regulate the expres- sion of laminin ￻ -1 (LAMC1) and thrombospondin (THBS1) to facilitate the recruitment of trypomastigotes to enhance cellular infection. Silencing the expression of LAMC1 and THBS1 by stable RNAi dramatically reduces trypanosome in- fection. T. cruzi gp83, a ligand that mediates the attachment of trypanosomes to cells to initiate infection, up-regulates LAMC1 expression to enhance cellular infection. Infective trypomastigotes interact with LAMC1 through galectin-3 (LGALS3), a human lectin, to enhance cellular infection. Silencing the expression of LGALS3 also reduces cellular infec- tion. Some trypanosome surface molecules also interact with the ECM to facilitate infection. Despite the role of the ECM in T. cruzi infection, almost nothing is known about the ECM interactome networks operating in the process of T. cruzi in- fection. In this mini review, we critically analyze and discuss the regulation of the ECM by T. cruzi and its gp83 ligand, and present the first elucidation of the human ECM interactome network, regulated by T. cruzi and its gp83 ligand, to fa- cilitate cellular infection. The elucidation of the human ECM interactome regulated by T. cruzi is critically important to the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of T. cruzi infection and developing novel approaches of intervention in Chagas' disease.
Preparation, separation, and characterization of ruthenium(II) thiocyanate linkage isomers.

The reaction of [(p-cym)Ru(bpy)Cl]+ (p-cym = η6-p-cymene; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) with SCN− gives a mixture of the linkage isomers [(p-cym)Ru(bpy)(SCN)]+ and [(p-cym)Ru(bpy)(NCS)]+. The linkage isomers were efficiently separated by column chromatography on Hg(NO3)2-coated Al2O3. Both isomers were fully characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The equilibrium constant for the conversion of the S-bound to the N-bound isomer was determined to be 0.29(4) in methanol-d4 and 0.74(7) in acetone-d6, respectively, at 50 °C. Kinetic data for the linkage isomerization reaction are also reported.
Single waveform solutions for linear arrays of Josephson junctions

Abstract In this paper we study the existence of single waveform solutions to system of equations governing the dynamics of series arrays of identical current biased Josephson junctions which are coupled through a shared LRC-load. We use a homotopy argument and degree theory to prove the existence of single waveform solutions which are either in-phase running solution, discrete rotating waves, or clustered discrete rotating waves in which the junctions are grouped into clusters of equal size which form a discrete rotating wave.
Regulatory biocompatibility requirements for biomaterials used in regenerative medicine

The biological safety of biomaterials used for implantable medical devices is usually determined by a series of standard tests that assess the effects that extractable substances have on cells in vitro and in simple short term animal studies. To use these tests to determine the suitability of materials for tissue engineering templates is inappropriate. This short essay discusses the issues that are involved.
Dipyridamole technetium 99m sestamibi myocardial tomography for preoperative cardiac risk stratification before major or minor nonvascular surgery

The value of dipyridamole technetium 99m sestamibi (MIBI) tomography for preoperative cardiac risk stratification was assessed in 285 consecutive patients being considered for nonvascular surgery. A "major" (n = 140) or "minor" (n = 89) nonvascular procedure was later done in 229 of these patients or = II, an abnormal MIBI scan, and a fixed perfusion defect. In these patients, cardiac events occurred in 1% of those who had a normal MIBI study, 14% of those with an abnormal scan (p or = II, only an abnormal MIBI study and a fixed perfusion defect were associated with incremental risk of a perioperative cardiac event. The incidence of perioperative cardiac events in these patients was 4% with a normal MIBI scan, 27% with an abnormal study (p or = II undergoing major surgery is associated with significantly increased risk. The prognostic value of MIBI tomography in patients at low clinical risk undergoing minor surgery is limited.
Stability margins in inverse optimal input-to-state stabilization

We show that if a system is input-to-state stabilizable, we can always design a controller that is input-to-state stabilizing if the presence of input unmodeled dynamics of the form a(I+P) where a/spl ges/1/2 is constant and P is a strictly passive (possibly nonlinear) system. This result is a direct extension to nonlinear systems with disturbances of the well known inverse optimality result from linear systems (infinite gain margin and 60/spl deg/ phase margins).
Ion pair formation in water clusters: a theoretical study

Abstract Two hydrated ion pairs of the formula (H3O+)(H2O)3 (OH−) are studied using Hartree-Fock and MP2 wavefuctions with a 6-311 + + G∗∗ basis set. Two neutral water pentamers are also studied for comparison. Thermodynamics, IR spectra, dipole moments, rotational constants and spatial extent of the four clusters are examined in detail. Agreement of calculated thermodynamic quantities and IR spectra with experimental values is significant. The hydrated ion pairs are stablized more by electron correlation than the neutral species. This can be partially explained in terms of the strained configuration of these hydrated ion pairs. The hydrated ion pairs also have a suprisingly small calculated dipole moment.
New LP-derived features for speaker identification

A new set of features is introduced that has been found to improve the performance of automatic speaker identification systems, The new set of features is referred to as the adaptive component weighting (ACW) cepstral coefficients. The new features emphasize the formant structure of the speech spectrum while attenuating the broad-bandwidth spectral components. The attenuated components correspond to the variations in spectral tilt of transmission and recording environment, and other characteristics that are irrelevant to speaker identification. The resulting ACW spectrum introduces zeros into the usual all-pole linear prediction (LP) spectrum. This is equivalent to applying a finite impulse response (FIR) filter that normalizes the narrow-band modes of the spectrum. Unlike existing fixed cepstral weighting schemes, the ACW cepstrum provides an adaptively weighted version of the LP cepstrum. The adaptation results in deemphasizing the irrelevant variations of the LP cepstral coefficients on a frame-by-frame basis. The ACW features are evaluated for text-independent speaker identification and are shown to yield improved performance. >
On the battlefield of women's bodies: An overview of the harm of war to women

Synopsis By the 1990s, 9 of 10 people who died in war from direct and indirect effects were civilians. Bombs and weapons of modern war kill and maim civilian women in equal numbers to civilian men. A unique harm of war for women is the trauma inflicted in military brothels, rape camps, and the growing sex trafficking for prostitution and by increased domestic violence, all of which is fueled by the culture of war, male aggression, and the social and economic ruin left in the wake of war. Widows of war, women victims of landmines, and women refugees of war are particularly vulnerable to poverty, prostitution, the extortion of sex for food by post-war peacekeepers, and higher illness and death in the post-conflict period. While problems exist with definitions and methods of measurement, a full accounting of the harm of war to civilian women is needed in the debate over whether war is justified.
A Sociological View of the Cybertourists

The article aims to consider from a social point of view the tourist’s use of the web, examining these practices themselves but also their social functions and repercussions. The social functions will be dealt with by focusing on the individual taking part in “tourist surfing”. We will see that using the Internet allows individuals not only to “escape social constraints” but also to create social links or bonds. The social repercussions will be analysed by centring our attention on the professionals in tourist communications. We will show that it is important for professionals in tourist communications to pay very close attention to the opinions of those on the receiving end of their messages.
Intergenerational transmission of self-regulation: A multidisciplinary review and integrative conceptual framework.

This review examines mechanisms contributing to the intergenerational transmission of self-regulation. To provide an integrated account of how self-regulation is transmitted across generations, we draw from over 75 years of accumulated evidence, spanning case studies to experimental approaches, in literatures covering developmental, social, and clinical psychology, and criminology, physiology, genetics, and human and animal neuroscience (among others). First, we present a taxonomy of what self-regulation is and then examine how it develops— overviews that guide the main foci of the review. Next, studies supporting an association between parent and child self-regulation are reviewed. Subsequently, literature that considers potential social mechanisms of transmission, specifically parenting behavior, interparental (i.e., marital) relationship behaviors, and broader rearing influences (e.g., household chaos) is considered. Finally, evidence that prenatal programming may be the starting point of the intergenerational transmission of self-regulation is covered, along with key findings from the behavioral and molecular genetics literatures. To integrate these literatures, we introduce the self-regulation intergenerational transmission model, a framework that brings together prenatal, social/contextual, and neurobiological mechanisms (spanning endocrine, neural, and genetic levels, including gene-environment interplay and epigenetic processes) to explain the intergenerational transmission of self-regulation. This model also incorporates potential transactional processes between generations (e.g., children’s self-regulation and parent– child interaction dynamics that may affect parents’ self-regulation) that further influence intergenerational processes. In pointing the way forward, we note key future directions and ways to address limitations in existing work throughout the review and in closing. We also conclude by noting several implications for intervention work.
Proximity of the mandibular canal to the tooth apex.

Abstract Introduction Knowledge of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) position is important in avoiding nerve damage during invasive dental procedures. Because the exact position of the nerve bundle can vary in patients, this study evaluated the distance from the apices of mandibular premolar and molar teeth to the superior border of the mandibular canal. Methods Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from 139 patients were analyzed to evaluate the proximity of the mandibular canal to the root apices of 743 mandibular second premolar and first and second molar teeth. Subjects were subgrouped by age and sex. A random intercept model was used to account for multiple measurements within a patient. Results In all groups, root apices of the mandibular second molars were closer to the mandibular canal than other teeth. The mesial root of the second molar was closer to the nerve in female patients compared with male patients. Root apices in younger patients ( Conclusions The CBCT scan is an accurate, noninvasive method to evaluate the position of the mandibular canal. The variable position of this structure between patients suggests the need for CBCT to determine the proximity of the nerve bundle before attempting invasive treatment in this area. Dental practitioners should consider potential differences of mandibular canal position as a result of age and gender when performing these procedures in this area.
Concealment and fabrication by experienced research subjects.

BackgroundSubjects who enroll in multiple studies have been found to use deception at times to overcome restrictive screening criteria. Deception undermines subject safety as well as study integrit...
HSQC (heteronuclear single quantum coherence) 13C–1H correlation spectra of whole biomass in perdeuterated pyridinium chloride–DMSO system: An effective tool for evaluating pretreatment

Perdeuterated pyridinium chloride–DMSO-d6 is an effective solvent system for whole cell biomass dissolution and NMR characterization. Employing this solvent system, semi-quantitative 13C–1H heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) spectroscopy of untreated, steam, dilute acid and lime pretreated poplar biomass samples was readily accomplished. In an effort to demonstrate the efficacy and usefulness of this fairly new characterization technique, relative spectral intensities of the untreated and pretreated biomass samples were evaluated and compared. From the relative signal intensities of hemicelluloses in each system it was observed that hemicelluloses are being removed in various pretreatment conditions, but complete dissolution of hemicellulose was observed only with acid pretreatment. The relative changes in lignin subunits after pretreatment were estimated from the volume integration of resolved cross peaks of various lignin subunits. The degradation of lignin was observed in all pretreatments, though more significant changes were noticed after dilute acid and lime pretreatment. HSQC analysis results were in agreement with the composition analysis of pretreated biomass samples. Thus, this methodology broadens the application of whole cell NMR analysis in biofuel research.