cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Depressive episodes, symptoms, and trajectories in women recently diagnosed with breast cancer

Depression carries serious psychosocial, physical, and economic consequences for cancer survivors. Study goals were to characterize patterns and predictors of depressive symptoms and major depressive episodes in recently diagnosed breast cancer patients. Consecutively recruited women (N = 460) completed a validated interview (CIDI) and questionnaire measure (CES-D) of depression within 4 months after invasive breast cancer diagnosis and at six additional assessments across 12 months. Outcomes were major depressive episodes, continuous symptom scores, and latent symptom trajectory classes. Across 12 months, 16.6 % of women met criteria for a major depressive episode. Unemployment predicted depressive episodes after other correlates were controlled. Distinct trajectory classes were apparent: an estimated 38 % of women had chronically elevated symptoms (High trajectory), 20 % recovered from elevated symptoms (Recovery), and 43 % had lower symptoms (Low and Very Low trajectories). Although 96 % of episodes occurred in the High or Recovery classes, 66 % of women in the High trajectory did not have an episode. Women in the Low (vs High) trajectory were more likely to be older, retired, more affluent, and have fewer comorbid diseases and briefer oncologic treatment. Women in the Recovery trajectory (vs High) were more likely to be married and more affluent and have fewer comorbid diseases. Assuming available therapeutic resources, assessment of both depressive symptoms and episodes over several months after diagnosis is important. Identification of patients at risk for persistently high depressive symptoms (e.g., younger, longer treatment course) opens targeted opportunities to prevent and promote rapid recovery from depression.
The Resignation of David Sokol: Mountain or Molehill for Berkshire Hathaway?

Given its size, Berkshire Hathaway has had a relatively clean record on governance-related matters. This track record speaks to the quality of its governance system and the ability of its “trust-based” model to work.For these reasons, it came as a shock to many when Warren Buffett announced the sudden resignation of David Sokol in March 2011. Sokol, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway’s energy subsidiary, was widely considered the front-runner on a short list of potential successors to one day succeed Buffett. More bizarre were the circumstances surrounding the announcement. Just days before recommending to Buffett that Berkshire Hathaway purchase specialty chemical company Lubrizol in a $9.7 billion deal, Sokol accumulated common stock in Lubrizol worth $10 million.The matter raised significant issues for the Berkshire board of directors: Did Sokol violate the company’s insider trading policy? Did Sokol’s actions reveal shortcomings in the company’s governance system that need to be addressed? What will be the long-term impact of these events on company’s reputation? More broadly, the matter raises questions that are general to all organizations. How extensive must events be before a company decides that governance changes are required?Topics, Issues and Controversies in Corporate Governance and Leadership: The Closer Look series is a collection of short case studies through which we explore topics, issues, and controversies in corporate governance. In each study, we take a targeted look at a specific issue that is relevant to the current debate on governance and explain why it is so important. Larcker and Tayan are co-authors of the book Corporate Governance Matters, and A Real Look at Real World Corporate Governance.
Pasteurella multocida in Dog and Cat Bite Infections

The infected dog or cat bite is a common problem, particularly in pediatrics. These infected bites can produce moderate tissue destruction, and, if on the face or neck, disfigurement may result. Careful debridement is indicated; and, unless primary repair is necessary for cosmetic reasons, the wound should not be sutured. Although a variety of organisms have been cultured from infected bites, Pasteurella multocida is the most common. Since P. multocida is extremely sensitive to penicillin, the prophylactic use of this antibiotic in potentially disfiguring wounds should be considered. In the already infected animal bite wound, penicillin or one of its analogues is recommended.
Spontaneous waves of cerebral blood flow associated with a pattern of electrocortical activity

We examined the relationship between spontaneous changes in regional cerebral blood flow and electrocortical (ECoG) activity in spinalized rats anesthetized with 1.5% isoflurane. Regional cerebral blood flow, measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry, and ECoG activity were measured bilaterally in frontal and parietal cortex. Spontaneous cerebrovascular waves (SCWs) were seen in all (n = 80) rats and consisted of sawtoothed waves with an average amplitude of 20.1 +/- 0.78%, a duration of 11.7 +/- 0.6 s, and a frequency of 6.3 +/- 0.2 min-1. SCWs were always preceded by a high-amplitude burst of ECoG activity (averaging 752.0 +/- 41.8 microV at 5.6 +/- 0.2 Hz) and comparable to the well-recognized burst-suppression/barbiturate-spindle patterns of ECoG activity. The latency between bursts and SCWs averaged 1.71 +/- 0.05 s. The frequency of bursts and SCWs was highly correlated within and between cortical areas bilaterally (r > 0.9) and appeared synchronously across brain. Deepening anesthesia (to 1.75% isoflurane) reduced the frequency of bursts and SCWs by > 30% but not their correlation (r > 0.9) and minimally increased burst-SCW latency. SCWs differed from an uncommon sinusoidal oscillation regional cerebral blood flow triggered by changes in arterial pressure and independent of the ECoG. Bursts and SCWs were not affected by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase. The results indicate that a population of local cortical neurons, probably driven from subcortical pacemakers, when excited, elicits local cerebrovascular vasodilation.
Toxicological Findings in Fatal Poisonings

Anyone who must decide whether the amount of toxic substance present in a specimen is sufficient to indicate that the substance may have been the cause of death is aware of the difficulty of finding information to guide that decision. Opinions are given concerning therapeutic and toxic concentrations in human tissues for most of the common drug and chemical poisons. These include alcohols, amitriptyline, amphetamine, arsenic, barbiturates, boron, bromides, carbon monoxide, chloral hydrate, chlordiazepoxide, cyanide, diazepam, diphenylhydantoin, ethchlorvynol, fluoride, glutethimide, heroin (morphine), imipramine, lead, LSD, marihuana, meperidine, meprobamate, methadone, methamphetamine, methaqualone, nicotine, nortriptyline, orphenadrine, paraldehyde, pentazocine, phenothiazines, propoxyphene, quinine, salicylates, and strychnine.
Palliative care and withholding and withdrawing dialysis

The aging dialysis population, with its decreasing functional status, the high mortality of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and the rise of palliative medicine as a specialty have all served to promote the importance of end-of-life care for ESRD patients. Even though nephrologists have an increased understanding of the issues involved in ESRD end-of-life care, most individuals working in dialysis know of a case in which it felt as if “the dead were being dialyzed.” An increased effort to focus on palliative care issues in ESRD, especially advance care planning, may serve to reduce the frequency of such cases.
Assessing the Use of Age-Equivalent Scores in Clinical Management

Speech-language evaluation reports from many institutions present age-equivalent scores as the evidence for speech-language deficits. Yet, the value and interpretation of this measurement criterion...
The syndrome of cellular immunodeficiency with immunoglobulins

The clinical and immunologic features of six patients with combined immunodeficiency with immunoglobulins are presented and are compared with 28 previously reported cases. Although the pathologic findings of these (thymic dysplasia with absence of Hassall's corpuscles and lymphoid hypoplasia and poor corticomedullarly differentiation) resemble those of severe combined immunodeficiency, there are sufficient features to characterize them as a distinct syndrome. Characteristic features are gradual onset, variable course, prolonged survival, lymphopenia with impaired cellular immunity, the presence of immunoglobulins and plasma cells, but with impaired antibody synthesis. We therefore feel that these cases can be recognized as a distinct primary immunodeficiency using the nomenclature cellular immunodeficiency with immunoglobulins.
Effect of chitosan glutamate, carbomer 974P, and EDTA on the in vitro Caco-2 permeability and oral pharmacokinetic profile of acyclovir in rats.

Background: Chitosan glutamate and polyacrylic acid (e.g., carbomer 974P) are known to modulate the tight junctions in the intestinal wall and increase permeability and blood exposure of drugs absorbed orally by the paracellular route. Aim: To assess the impact of chitosan glutamate and carbomer 974P on the absorption of paracellularly absorbed model drug, acyclovir, in vitro and in rat in vivo. Methods: The influence of chitosan glutamate and carbomer 974P (alone and in combination with EDTA–Na2) on the in vitro Caco-2 permeability and oral pharmacokinetic profile in the rat of acyclovir was investigated. Results: In the presence of chitosan glutamate, the apparent permeability of acyclovir across Caco2 monolayer increased 4.1 times relative to control. This increase was accompanied by a significant (∼60%) decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance values indicating opening of the tight junctions in the cell monolayer. In rat, chitosan glutamate doubled oral bioavailability of acyclovir and triple...
Isolation and expression of Pax6 and atonal homologues in the American Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus

Pax6 regulates eye development in many animals. In addition, Pax6 activates atonal transcription factors in both invertebrate and vertebrate eyes. Here, we investigate the roles of Pax6 and atonal during embryonic development of Limulus polyphemus rudimentary lateral, medial and ventral eyes, and the initiation of lateral ommatidial eye and medial ocelli formation. Limulus eye development is of particular interest because these animals hold a unique position in arthropod phylogeny and possess multiple eye types. Furthermore, the molecular underpinnings of eye development have yet to be investigated in chelicerates. We characterized a Limulus Pax6 gene, with multiple splice products and predicted protein isoforms, and one atonal homologue. Unexpectedly, neither gene is expressed in the developing eye types examined, although both genes are present in the lateral sense organ, a structure of unknown function.
NIR fluorescent contrast agents for detection of inflammation of lungs in vivo

Inflammatory responses to lung injuries are mediated through enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We describe the use of activatable NIR fluorescent agents with high sensitivity to ROS to image the lung during conditions of high inflammation.
Variable-reactance dimming control for fluorescent lamps

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FLUORESCENT LAMP in 1939, provided the lighting profession with a new and versatile type of light source. The wide public acceptance of fluorescent lighting has been due to its inherent advantages such as high efficiency, low brightness ratios, better light distribution, and a large selection of lamp sizes and colors. The lighting industry with its innumerable lighting problems may require new sizes of fluorescent lamps, improved colors, and lamps with special brightness characteristics to serve in new applications. The need for fluorescent lamps in new lengths, diameters, and wattages will continue; however, it is known that many new and existing applications could be given additional flexibility if the brierhtness of the lamp were controllable.
Recipes for geometry and numerical analysis - Part I: an empirical study

Geometric computations, like all numerical procedures, are extremely prone to roundoff error. However, virtually none of the numerical analysis literature directly applies to geometric calculations. Even for line intersection, the most basic geometric operation, there is no robust and efficient algorithm. Compounding the difficulties, many geometric algorithms perform iterations of calculations reusing previously computed data. In this paper, we explore some of the main issues in geometric computations and the methods that have been proposed to handle roundoff errors. In particular, we focus on one method and apply it to a general iterative intersection problem. Our initial results seem promising and will hopefully lead to robust solutions for more complex problems of computational geometry.
Flow integration transform: detecting shapes in matrix-array 3D ultrasound data

Matrix-array ultrasound produces real-time 3D images of the heart, by employing a square array of transducers to steer the ultrasound beam in three dimensions electronically with no moving parts. Other 3D modalities such as MR, MUGA, and CT require the use of gated studies, which combine many cardiac cycles to produce a single average cycle. Three- dimensional ultrasound eliminates this restriction, in theory permitting the continuous measurement of cardiac ventricular volume, which we call the volumetricardiogram. Towards implementing the volumetricardiogram, we have developed the flow integration transform (FIT), which operates on a 2D slice within the volumetric ultrasound data. The 3D ultrasound machine's scan converter produces a set of such slices in real time, at any desired location and orientation, to which the FIT may then be applied. Although lacking rotational or scale invariance, the FIT is designed to operate in dedicated hardware where an entire transform could be completed within a few microseconds with present integrated circuit technology. This speed would permit the application of a large battery of test shapes, or the evolution of the test shape to converge on that of the actual target.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Gender Differences in Pattern Reversal Evoked Potentials in Normal Elderly

Pattern reversal evoked potentials (PREPs) were recorded in 51 normal elderly subjects (27 males. 24 females). Elderly females had shorter P100 and N150 latencies, greater P100-N150 amplitudes, and higher noise power than elderly males. The N150 latency differences were significant even when P100 latency effects were partialled out statistically. Gender differences in P100-N150 amplitude Mere independent of both noise power and PREP latency measures. These results provide evidence that, in the elderly, 1) gender differences in PREP amplitude reflect factors specific to CNS processing of visual stimuli rather than global CNS anatomic or physiological factors, 2) gender differences in P100 latency reported in younger groups are also present in the elderly, and 3) there are separable factors underlying gender differences in N150 and P100 latencies in the elderly.
Influence of Self-Concept on School Adjustment among Middle-School Students

The view that children's self-concepts influence their school adjustment and behavior is widely accepted, but the strength of the influence and the contribution of specific self-concept dimensions to children's nonacademic performance in school are uncertain. This issue is important in view of evidence that behavior problems are acute among minority children in inner-city public schools. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between specific self-concept dimensions and school adjustment in three areas: (a) general classroom behavior, (b) group participation, and (c) attitude toward authority, as assessed by teachers. The sample consisted of 142 American middle-school children who attended four inner-city public schools. The results showed that significant bivariate correlations existed between each self-concept dimension on the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale and the three behavioral domains studied. Stepwise multiple regression procedures also indicated strong individual and combined predictive power among the self-concept dimensions.
Cytoplasmic Domains Mediate the Ligand-Induced Affinity Shift of Guanylyl Cyclase C

Guanylyl cyclase C (GCC), the receptor for the Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), exhibits multiple binding affinities, including high (RH) and low (RL) affinity sites and a ligand-induced conversion of low-affinity sites from a higher (RL1) to a lower (RL2) affinity state. Occupancy of the lowest affinity state of low-affinity sites is coupled to ligand-induced catalytic activation. In the present studies, ligand binding and catalytic activation properties of a series of intracellular deletion mutants of GCC were examined to identify the structural domains underlying expression of high- and low-affinity sites and the ligand-induced shift in low-affinity sites. These studies demonstrated that the cytoplasmic domains of GCC are not required, but extracellular and transmembrane domains are sufficient, for expression of high-affinity binding sites. In addition, the cytoplasmic juxtamembrane and kinase homology domains are required for expression of the ligand-induced affinity shift in low-affinity sites. Of significance, this shift in affinity was insensitive to adenine nucleotides, in contrast to other members of the receptor guanylyl cyclase family, such as guanylyl cyclase A (GCA). Also, the juxtamembrane and kinase homology domains are critical for coupling ST-receptor binding and guanylyl cyclase catalytic activation. Indeed, deletion of those domains from GCC results in a constitutively inhibited enzyme, suggesting that they function as positive effectors of ligand activation, in contrast to GCA and GCB, in which the kinase homology domain represses basal catalytic activity. These data suggest that the mechanisms regulating different members of the receptor guanylyl cyclase family are overlapping but not identical.
3-D Wave-equation Imaging of a North Sea Dataset: Common-azimuth Migration + Residual Migration

3-D prestack common-azimuth depth migration (CAM) has strong potential for accurately imaging complex media and correctly handling multi-pathing. Here, we apply the technique to a North Sea dataset recorded over a salt dome region. The results obtained demonstrate the suitability of the method for complex media, and illustrate important differences with Kirchhoff methods. A detailed analysis of associated angle-domain common-image gathers shows opportunities for improving the velocity model.
Prostate cancer chemoprevention by silibinin: Bench to bedside

Prostate cancer (PCA) is the most invasive malignancy and second leading cause of cancer deaths in American males. One approach to reduce PCA incidence, growth and metastasis is prevention and intervention targeted towards mitogenic and survival signaling and cell-cycle regulation. This approach is based on the rationale that overexpression of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and/or non-receptor tyrosine kinases leads to persistent autocrine stimulation of malignant cells for deregulated cell-cycle progression and uncontrolled growth. PCA progression has also been associated with transition from a paracrine to an autocrine relationship between receptors and growth ligands as this malignancy progresses to an advanced androgen-independent aggressive stage. Together, these studies suggest that targeting RTK-mediated signaling pathways along with cell-cycle regulators could be a practical and translational approach for PCA prevention and intervention. Here, we provide evidence that a naturally occurring nontoxic flavanoid, silibinin, targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and NF-kappaB (nuclear factor-kappa B) pathways in PCA. Furthermore, it modulates cell-cycle regulators, including cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), Cip/Kip and cyclins for its anticancer efficacy against PCA. Silibinin inhibits growth of PCA cells from human, mouse, and rat origins, and also suppresses human prostate tumor xenograft growth in nude mice. Silibinin also inhibits PCA growth in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) mouse model. Now, silibinin has been entered into phase I/II clinical trials in human PCA patients where preliminary observations were suggestive of its further study in a larger base of the patient population.
The Gezira sporting club of Cairo

Sports and their impact on the dynamics of empire offer a glimpse into the complex relationships between colonizers and the colonized. Such relationships have often imparted legacies of social identity. There are still, for example, Sudanese army officers who play polo and—the Internet notwithstanding— Indian business tycoons who conduct their affairs in the quiet setting of exclusive clubs reminiscent of London's Travellers’ Club or the Reform Club. Of course, cricket pitches dot the Caribbean and the Asian subcontinent, the national teams of these regions regularly beating the English team on its own turf, at the Marylebone Club in London. These practices are reflections of social and cultural imperialism.
Liquid versus solid carbohydrate: effects on food intake and body weight

BACKGROUND: Beverages are contributing an increased proportion of energy to the diet. Because they elicit a weak compensatory dietary response, they may increase risk of positive energy balance. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to document the differential effects of matched liquid and solid carbohydrate loads on diet and body weight. DESIGN: In a cross-over design, seven males and eight females consumed dietary carbohydrate loads of 1880 kJ/day as a liquid (soda) or solid (jelly beans) during two 4 week periods separated by a 4 week washout. Subjects were permitted to consume the loads however they chose. In addition to baseline measurements, diet records were obtained on random days throughout the study, body composition was measured weekly, physical activity was assessed before and after treatments and hunger was assessed during washout and midway through each treatment. RESULTS: Free-feeding energy intake during the solid period was significantly lower than intake prior to this period. Dietary energy compensation was precise (118%). No decrease in free-feeding energy intake occurred during the liquid period. Total daily energy intake increased by an amount equal to the load resulting in dietary compensation of −17%. Consequently, body weight and BMI increased significantly only during the liquid period. Physical activity and hunger were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that liquid carbohydrate promotes positive energy balance, whereas a comparable solid carbohydrate elicits precise dietary compensation. Increased consumption of energy-yielding fluids may promote positive energy balance.
Age and HIV Risk and Protective Behaviors among African American Women.

Though HIV prevention efforts have focused on young adult women, women of all ages may engage in HIV risk behaviors and experience barriers to condom use. This article examines the effect of age on sexual risk and protective attitudes and behaviors among African American women. Unmarried heterosexual African American women between the ages of 18 and 61 completed pen-and-paper survey measures. Participants were recruited from three local colleges and universities and several community-based agencies including health clinics, faith-based institutions, social service agencies, and other community-based organizations in a southeastern metropolitan area. Results indicated that as age of participants increased, participants reported less frequent condom use, reported lower condom use intentions, and perceived their partner's attitudes toward condoms to be less favorable, even after controlling for the effects of relationship length, education, and partner status. As age increased, participants reported higher c...
Geometric analysis of Chow Mumford stability

Abstract In this paper we relate the Chow–Mumford stability of a projective manifold X to the properness of a certain energy functional on the subspace of Bergman metrics in the Kahler cone of X. We use this relationship to rederive the stability of smooth curves over C . This is accomplished by analyzing the asymptotics of some rational integrals.
Surface Immunoglobulins of Circulating Lymphocytes in Mouse Plasmacytoma III. The Effect of Plasmacytoma RNA on the Immune Response

RNA extracted from several plasmacytomas of BALB/c mice was previously shown in in vitro and in vivo experiments to induce the synthesis of receptors on B cells with The immunochemical characteristics of the respective plasmacytoma globulin. These findings were also produced with immuno-globulin-free RNA extracted from the plasma of plasmacytoma animals. The results of the present study indicate that the injection of 0.5–1 mg of RNA into CF1 mice also has an inhibiting effect on the primary response to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) as measured by agglutinin titers and plaque forming cells. On the other hand, RNA injected prior to the second injection of SRBC did not inhibit the secondary response. RNA from normal tissue and RNase-inactivated RNA were ineffective. These findings suggest that an RNA fraction of the plasmacytoma participates in the mediation of the characteristic impairment of the primary immune response in myeloma.
The Box: An Oral History of Television, 1920-1961

Guaranteed to keep you up long after prime time, "The Box" re-creates the old-time TV years through more than three hundred interviews with those who invented, manufactured, advertised, produced, directed, wrote, and acted in them. Their reminiscences are intertwined with a chronological narrative that tells the technological, business, and entertainment stories--from pioneer Philo T. Farnsworth, through the Golden Age of comedy and drama, to FCC chairman Newt Minow's historic speech declaring television a "vast wasteland."
Dissecting the catalytic mechanism of protein-tyrosine phosphatases.

Abstract Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) contain an evolutionarily conserved segment of 250 amino acids referred to as the PTPase catalytic domain. The recombinant PTPase domain from Yersinia enterocolitica enhances the rate of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate, a phosphate monoester, by approximately 10(11) over the non-enzyme-catalyzed rate by water. Specific amino acid residues responsible for the catalytic rate acceleration have been examined by site-directed mutagenesis. Our results suggest that Asp-356 (D356) and Glu-290 (E290) are the general acid and the general base catalysts responsible for Yersinia PTPase-catalyzed phosphate ester hydrolysis. The PTPase with both E290Q and D356N mutations shows no pH dependence for catalysis but displays a rate enhancement of 2.6 x 10(6), compared to the noncatalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate by water. This rate enhancement probably occurs via transition-state stabilization. Our results suggest that all PTP-ases use a common mechanism that depends upon formation of a thiol-phosphate intermediate and general acid-general base catalysis.
Optic flow instructs retinotopic map formation through a spatial to temporal to spatial transformation of visual information

Retinotopic maps are plastic in response to changes in sensory input; however, the experience-dependent instructive cues that organize retinotopy are unclear. In animals with forward-directed locomotion, the predominant anterior to posterior optic flow activates retinal ganglion cells in a stereotyped temporal to nasal sequence. Here we imaged retinotectal axon arbor location and structural plasticity to assess map refinement in vivo while exposing Xenopus tadpoles to visual stimuli. We show that the temporal sequence of retinal activity driven by natural optic flow organizes retinotopy by regulating axon arbor branch dynamics, whereas the opposite sequence of retinal activity prevents map refinement. Our study demonstrates that a spatial to temporal to spatial transformation of visual information controls experience-dependent topographic map plasticity. This organizational principle is likely to apply to other sensory modalities and projections in the brain.
Correlation failure analysis of an uncertain hysteretic vibration system

In this paper, a numerical method for correlation sensitivity analysis of a nonlinear random vibration system is presented. Based on the first passage failure model, the probability perturbation method is employed to determine the statistical characteristics of failure modes and the correlation between them. The sensitivity of correlation between failure modes with respect to random parameters characterizing the uncertainty of the hysteretic loop is discussed. In a numerical example, a two-DOF shear structure with uncertain hysteretic restoring force is considered. The statistical characteristics of response, failure modes and the sensitivity of random hysteretic loop parameters are provided, and also compared with a Monte Carlo simulation.
Distortion, Noise and Delay study for Wavelength-Conversion and Dispersion Based Slow-Light System

For wavelength-conversion dispersion based slow-light system, large gain required for amplifying the incoming pulses increases delay at the expense of amplifier noise. We present the distortion, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and delay tradeoff in these systems.
Reflection-type continuously-tunable phase shifter using PZT thin-film capacitors

The design, fabrication and performance of a reflection-type tunable phase shifter based on a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin-film process is presented. The phase shifter consists of a coplanar waveguide Lange coupler on high resistivity silicon (HRSi) and two ferroelectric PZT varactors. At 12 GHz, the varactors achieve a capacitance tuning range of 5.5 to 1 along with a phase shift of 86 with bias voltages in the range 0-26 V. Analysis of the losses due to the varactors and the rest of the phase shifter is also presented.
Quasiparticle creation and condensation in a resonating-valence-bond superconductor.

We present a formulation of the resonating-valence-bond theory of the large-$U$ one-band Hubbard model in two dimensions, in which the correlated ground state of the system is represented as a fluid of mobile singlet bonds. We describe this fluid as a quantum fluid of interacting hardcore bosons, and a ground-state wave function for the interacting bosons is studied in which two-body correlations are introduced by applying techniques previously developed in Laughlin's theory of the fractional quantum Hall problem. The resulting many-particle state in this formulation exhibits an incipient momentum space condensation and a class of particlelike excitations in the form of quantized vortices which possess fractional particle number, and interesting dynamics. Application of this model to the doped state reveals a mechanism by which the electrostatic repulsive interactions between the charged quasiparticles in the doped fluid stabilize the resonating state relative to the doped N\'eel state at discrete well-correlated "commensurate" hole concentrations. A superconducting state in this doped fluid arises from a condensation which pairs the charged quasiparticles; it is identified as the most stable of a hierarchy of possible condensed quasiparticle states. The condensed state exhibits many properties associated with conventional superconductivity, including dissipationless flow of current, Meissner effect, and flux quantization in units of $\frac{\mathrm{hc}}{2e}$.
Importance of format and design in print patient information.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this descriptive study were to: identify characteristics of print education materials that healthcare providers report as important to patients; compare whether Physician Data Query (PDQ) information that was provided in its original form, or was redesigned in color and black and white, influenced the distribution of this information; and explore whether providing PDQ information via patient information racks would increase patients' awareness of and use of PDQ information. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: Forty-four oncology healthcare professionals were asked to complete a survey identifying characteristics that they believed important for effective print educational materials. PDQ statements were reformatted and placed in brochure racks for a 6-month period. The number of statements distributed before and after this time period were compared. Subsequently, PDQ statements were placed sequentially for a 3-week period in brochure racks in the following formats: original form as printed from the computer, redesigned with color print; and redesigned with black ink only. RESULTS: The following characteristics were rated “very important” aspects of print educational materials by oncology healthcare professionals: appropriate reading level; clarity; credibility of the information; whether information is current/up-to-date; and patient acceptance of material. The characteristic receiving the fewest “very important” marks was attractiveness/eye appeal. The reported low marks on attractiveness/eye appeal contradict the concurrent findings that, after the redesign of PDQ statements (change in booklet size, use of color, increase in foot size for text and headings, and inclusion of a vertical bar to separate columns), there was a ninefold increase in the number PDQ statements distributed. Eighty-nine percent of the statements distributed were the redesigned version. The use of color, however, did not appear to make a difference in the number of PDQ statements disseminated after the redesign. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In developing print education materials for cancer patients, the format, design, and placement of materials for patient access need to be considered. There are many valuable educational materials available on computer databases. Downloading the information and placing it in a brochure format may be an ideal approach for providing access to this information. Furthermore, because physicians and nurses have different priorities for printed patient education materials, it is important to involve both groups in the developments of the brochures.
Successful simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation from extreme donors.

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review our experience with extreme pancreas donors compared to conventional (CONV) donors. Methods. Extreme (EX) pancreas donors were defined as deceased donors (DDs) age >50 years, <8 years, donation after cardiac death (DCD), and targeted for organ discard. Results. From January 2002 through January 2005, we performed 40 simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplants (SKPT) with Thymoglobulin induction, including 9 (22.5%) from EX and 31 from CONV DDs. Mean DD age was higher in EX DD (41.2 years EX vs 26.0 CONV, P <.05), but mean recipient age and cold ischemia times did not differ between groups. With a mean follow-up of 16.8 months in the EX DD group, patient and kidney graft survival rates are both 100%, and the pancreas graft survival rate is 89%. With a mean follow-up of 21.7 months in the CONV DD group, patient and kidney graft survival rates are both 93.5% and the pancreas graft survival rate is 77.4%. All patients with surviving grafts exhibited good initial (1 case of delayed kidney graft function in a CONV DD) and stable long-term kidney and pancreas graft function. Mean length of initial hospital stay and the incidences of acute rejection, readmissions, operative complications, and infections were similar between groups. Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that the limits of donor acceptability continue to evolve as excellent outcomes can be achieved in SKPTs from selected EX DDs.
Modeling of bubble dynamics in relation to medical applications

In various pulsed-laser medical applications, strong stress transients can be generated in advance of vapor bubble formation. To better understand the evolution of stress transients and subsequent formation of vapor bubbles, two-dimensional simulations are presented in channel or cylindrical geometry with the LATIS (LAser TISsue) computer code. Differences with one-dimensional modeling are explored, and simulated experimental conditions for vapor bubble generation are presented and compared with data. 22 refs., 8 figs.
Eleven million years of arc volcanism at the Aucanquilcha Volcanic Cluster, northern Chilean Andes: implications for the life span and emplacement of plutons

The arid climate of the Altiplano has preserved a volcanic history of ∼11 million years at the Aucanquilcha Volcanic Cluster (AVC), northern Chile, which is built on thick continental crust. The AVC has a systematic temporal, spatial, compositional and mineralogical development shared by other long-lived volcanic complexes, indicating a common pattern in continental magmatism with implications for the development of underlying plutonic complexes, that in turn create batholiths. The AVC is a ∼700-km 2 , Tertiary to Recent cluster of at least 19 volcanoes that have erupted andesite and dacite lavas (∼55 to 68 wt.% SiO 2 ) and a small ash-flow tuff, totalling 327 ± 20 km 3 . Forty 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages for the AVC range from 10·97 ± 0·35 to 0·24 ± 0·05 Ma and define three major 1·5 to 3 million-year pulses of volcanism followed by the present pulse expressed as Volcan Aucanquilcha. The first stage of activity (∼11–8 Ma, Alconcha Group) produced seven volcanoes and the 2-km 3 Ujina ignimbrite and is a crudely bimodal suite of pyroxene andesite and dacite. After a possible two million year hiatus, the second stage of volcanism (∼6–4 Ma, Gordo Group) produced at least five volcanoes ranging from pyroxene andesite to dacite. The third stage (∼4–2 Ma, Polan Group) represents a voluminous pulse of activity, with eruption of at least another five volcanoes, broadly distributed in the centre of the AVC, and composed dominantly of biotite amphibole dacite; andesites at this stage occur as magmatic inclusions. The most recent activity (1 Ma to recent) is in the centre of the AVC at Volcan Aucanquilcha, a potentially active composite volcano made of biotite-amphibole dacite with andesite and dacite magmatic inclusions. These successive eruptive groups describe (1) a spatial pattern of volcanism from peripheral to central, (2) a corresponding change from compositionally diverse andesite-dacite volcanism to compositionally increasingly restricted and increasingly silicic dacite, (3) a change from early anhydrous mafic silicate assemblages (pyroxene dominant) to later biotite amphibole dacite, (4) an abrupt increase in eruption rate; and (5) the onset of pervasive hydrothermal alteration. The evolutionary succession of the 327-km 3 AVC is similar to other long-lived intermediate volcanic complexes of very different volumes, e.g., eastern Nevada (thousands of km 3 , Gans et al. 1989; Grunder 1995), Yanacocha, Peru (tens of km 3 , Longo 2005), and the San Juan Volcanic System (tens of thousands of km 3 , Lipman 2007) and finds an analogue in the 10-m. y. history and incremental growth of the Cretaceous Tuolumne Intrusive Suite (Coleman et al. 2004; Glazner et al. 2004). The present authors interpret the AVC to reflect episodic sampling of the protracted and fitful development of an integrated and silicic middle to upper crustal magma reservoir over a period of at least 11 million years.
A model for locating automatic external defibrillators

Abstract Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) enable basic life support (BLS) companies to resuscitate victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (“heart attacks”) by automatically or semi-automatically providing an electrical countershock. Due to the cost of such devices, decision-makers in emergency medical service (EMS) systems often face the task of selecting those BLS units in the EMS system on which an AED should be placed. We thus present a multiobjective integer programming model, incorporating both equity and overall survival rates, to help decision-makers select BLS companies in a jurisdiction to equip with AEDs. The model can also accommodate restrictions that decision-makers might wish to impose in terms of specifying BLS units on which an AED must, or must not, be placed. In addition to the model itself, a heuristic solution procedure is presented. A case study in which the model was applied successfully is also described.
Totally extraperitoneal laparoendoscopic repair of lumbar hernia

Background: The repair of congenital and acquired lumbar hernias has remained a significant surgical challenge for over three centuries. Transperitoneal laparoendoscopic techniques have been reported that have achieved success in repairing these difficult hernias using a variety of synthetic mesh. Careful review of the surgical literature addressing the repair of lumbar hernia reveals that only fourteen successful cases have been reported using minimally invasive techniques. All of these cases elected a transperitonal approach to repair. Encouraged by established success in the repair of inguinal hernia using an extraperitoneal approach, the repair of a large inferior triangle lumbar hernia was attempted using overlapping synthetic mesh technique while remaining entirely in an extraperitoneal plane. Methods: A seventy-eight-year-old patient presented for repair of a large symptomatic right lumbar hernia, one year following iliac bone harvest for lumbar laminectomy/fusion. Under general anesthesia, the patient was placed in a lateral decubitus position with lumbar roll in place. Using a muscle splitting dissection through the lateral abdominal musculature, a plane was developed bluntly between the transversalus muscle and the peritoneum. Using a three trocar technique, the plane was matured posteriorly, achieving an ample working space to identify the hernia and complete a synthetic mesh (PTFE) repair. Results: A large inferior triangle lumbar hernia was successfully repaired using overlapping synthetic mesh technique while remaining entirely in an extraperitoneal plane. Eighteen month reevaluation including physical examination and computer tomographic (CT) study confirms successful repair without recurrence of symptoms. Conclusions: A totally extraperitoneal approach to the identification, mobilization, and repair of lumbar hernia can be successfully accomplished using established laparoendoscopic surgical techniques.
The relation of the alteration of photosystem. II. Activity to the inhibition of energy transfer and the proton pump in tris-washed chloroplasts.

Abstract Washing of spinach chloroplasts with high concentrations of Tris 3 induces pH-dependent changes in chloroplast reactions. At high pH (8.4) Tris washing causes the inhibition of Photosystem 2 activity which can be prevented by the maintenance of reducing conditions during washing. Washing at low pH (7.2) causes an enhancement of oxygen evolution and increased rate of ferricyanide photoreduction which is not influenced by the presence of reducing conditions. The increased rate of electron flow is accompanied by the inhibition of light mediated phosphorylating activity, acid-induced ATP synthesis, light-induced proton uptake and light triggered Mg2+ ATPase activity. Tris treatment at low pH also causes a sensitization of Photosystem 2 activity such that oxygen evolution is inhibited by low concentrations of tris at high pH. This inhibition of the stimulated electron flow is not accompanied by a reconstitution of the photophosphorylation activity. A detailed analysis of the effect of tris treatment on Photosystem II activity and membrane dependent energy conversion shows that the treatment of chloroplasts causes an inhibition of the energy conversion process which is independent of the effect on oxygen evolution. Determination of the presence of coupling factor (as determined by ATPase activity) and membrane osmotic properties reveal normal levels of enzyme activity and osmotic response in treated chloroplasts. The inhibition of the energy conversion process is accompanied by reduced capacity to maintain a proton gradient. Kinetic analysis of the proton uptake reaction reveals that Tris treatment renders the grana membranes more permeable to protons.
Energy Dynamics: A Fast Track Inquiry Activity

Students investigate energy conversions by collaborating to develop a free standing track of plastic tubing through which a ball bearing moves at the fastest possible speed. Friendly competition leads to discussion of what worked and did not work and to the identification and investigation of underlying principles.
Experiences of Collective Trauma and Political Activism: A Study of Women ‘Agents of Memory’ in Post-Soviet Lithuania

There are numerous studies explaining how the social memory of trauma constitutes national identity and provides structure for individual narratives (Skultans 1998). Meta-narratives, essential for ...
Micromachined optical waveguide cantilever as a resonant optical scanner

Abstract Design, fabrication, and testing of a micromachined cantilever beam that is optically transmissive and operates in the resonant mode is presented with application as a micro-optical scanner. An optical waveguide is formed from a 2.2 μm thick SiO 2 layer deposited on a single crystal silicon wafer and etched to yield a SiO 2 /Si composite slab cantilever. Using a novel capacitively coupled reactive ion etching (RIE) technique, a cavity is back-etched in the silicon to release the 30–40 μm thick and 0.5–1.5 mm long cantilevers from the wafer. An etch rate of 2.0–2.2 μm/min in Si, an anisotropy of 0.5 and selectivity to thermal oxide (Si:SiO 2 =10:1) and to photoresist (Si:+PR=8.6:1) are reported. Evaporated aluminum film is used as a passivation material. Optical and mechanical tests are performed on these microfabricated structures. The first mode resonances are found between 16 and 52 kHz with response amplitudes ranging from 62.5 to 420 μm. Optical throughput was estimated at 10 nW, but this was greatly diminshed due to scattering losses, primarily at the edges of the waveguide. Since cantilever waveguides with resonant frequencies above 20 kHz are potentially suitable for video rate scanning, these devices maybe used for image acquisition and display.
The M 33 Synoptic Stellar Survey. I. Cepheid Variables

We have conducted a ground-based BVI synoptic survey of the Local Group galaxy M 33 which covers most of its disk and spans a period of 7 years. The survey targets luminous, long-period variables such as Cepheids and Miras and combines images from the DIRECT project and follow-up observations at the WIYN 3.5 m telescope. This paper, the first in a series, presents the discovery and characterization of 564 Cepheid variables, which represent a factor of two increase over previous samples with calibrated point-spread function (PSF) photometry. We also describe the details of the observations and analysis of the survey data, including the use of archival Hubble Space Telescope images to characterize biases in our ground-based PSF photometry.
Transnational class formation and spatialities of power: the case of elite competition in Bolivia

In this article, I argue that the neoliberal and counter-neoliberal transitions in Bolivia secured the power of transnational capital within the country. In the 1980s and 1990s, Bolivia's mining elite used neoliberal strategies to undermine the interests of the country's agricultural elite and pursued a marriage of convenience with transnational capital that allowed both to enter state-monopolized spaces of investment in mutually beneficial ways. In Bolivia's counter-neoliberal turn, leftist social movements and political parties removed the elite from power but were dependent on transnational firms to help them use the country's natural resource wealth to fund programmes of socioeconomic change. Engaging theories of the transnational class formation, I assert that scholars need to acknowledge how different capitalist class fractions have distinct spatialities of power. In particular, it is necessary to distinguish between global elites that participate in local circuits of accumulation and local elites that participate in global circuits of accumulation.