cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for detection of recurrent, 131I-negative thyroid cancer.

Whole-body 131I scintigraphy (WBS) and serial thyroglobulin measurement (Tg) are standard methods for detecting thyroid cancer recurrence after total/near total thyroidectomy and 131I ablation. Some patients develop elevated Tg (Tg-positive) or there is clinical suspicion of recurrence, but WBS are negative (WBS-negative). This may reflect non-iodine-avid recurrence or metastasis. In 2002, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved positron emission tomography with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) for Tg-positive/WBS-negative patients with follicular-cell-origin thyroid cancer. Limited data are available regarding the performance of combined FDG-PET/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for detecting recurrent thyroid cancer in WBS-neg patients. This retrospective review of prospectively collected data analyzed 65 patients who had FDG-PET/CT for suspected thyroid cancer recurrence (April 1998–August 2006). Patients were WBS-negative but were suspected to have recurrence based on Tg levels or clinical grounds. Suspected FDG-PET/CT abnormalities were reported as benign or malignant. Lesions were ultimately declared benign or malignant by surgical pathology or clinical outcome (disease progression). Of 65 patients who underwent FDG-PET/CT, 47 had positive FDG-PET/CT. Of the positive FDG-PET/CT, 43 studies were true positives, with 21 (49%) confirmed pathologically by surgical resection. The four false positives (3/4 confirmed pathologically) included an infundibular cyst, an inflamed supraclavicular cyst, pneumonitis, and degenerative disc disease. Of the 18 FDG-PET/CT studies that were negative, 17 were true negatives and one was a false negative (metastatic papillary carcinoma). Thus, FDG-PET/CT demonstrated a patient-based sensitivity of 98%, specificity of 81%, positive predictive value of 91%, and negative predictive value of 94%. FDG-PET/CT is useful for detecting thyroid cancer recurrence in WBS-negative patients, and can assist decision making.
Radiation Patterns and Boresight Error of a Microwave Antenna Enclosed in an Axially Symmetric Dielectric Shell

Measurements and calculations are given of boresight error and radiation patterns of a microwave antenna in an axially symmetric dielectric shell of ogival contour. An approximation based on induction and equivalence theorems is used for calculation of radiation patterns. Rays are traced approximately by replacing multiple reflections in the curved shell by those in a plane dielectric sheet. Depolarization effects are approximated. Multiple scattering by the antenna and shell is ignored, as are scattering by the vertex and surface waves along the shell wall.
Using the bogus pipeline to investigate grandiose narcissism

Abstract The present study used a bogus pipeline methodology to investigate the extent to which grandiose narcissism and other narcissism-related constructs were sensitive to bias in reporting. In addition, we sought to test the psychodynamic mask model by examining the association between narcissism variables and deep-seated feelings of self-esteem for men and women when both narcissism and self-esteem were assessed simultaneously under three different conditions: a bogus pipeline condition, an anonymous condition, and an exposure threat condition wherein participants believed that somebody else might be reviewing their responses. Results revealed that the assessment of narcissistic grandiosity and global self-esteem was sensitive to study conditions whereas assessment of narcissistic personality and psychological entitlement was not. Grandiose narcissism and self-esteem were positively correlated within each study condition, a finding which contradicts the psychodynamic mask model and has implications for understanding narcissistic functioning.
Bacteriome.org--an integrated protein interaction database for E. coli.

High throughput methods are increasingly being used to examine the functions and interactions of gene products on a genome-scale. These include systematic large-scale proteomic studies of protein complexes and protein–protein interaction networks, functional genomic studies examining patterns of gene expression and comparative genomics studies examining patterns of conservation. Since these datasets offer different yet highly complementary perspectives on cell behavior it is expected that integration of these datasets will lead to conceptual advances in our understanding of the fundamental design and evolutionary principles that underlie the organization and function of proteins within biochemical pathways. Here we present Bacteriome.org, a resource that combines locally generated interaction and evolutionary datasets with a previously generated knowledgebase, to provide an integrated view of the Escherichia coli interactome. Tools are provided which allow the user to select and visualize functional, evolutionary and structural relationships between groups of interacting proteins and to focus on genes of interest. Currently the database contains three interaction datasets: a functional dataset consisting of 3989 interactions between 1927 proteins; a ‘core’ high quality experimental dataset of 4863 interactions between 1100 proteins and an ‘extended’ experimental dataset of 9860 interactions between 2131 proteins. Bacteriome.org is available online at http://www.bacteriome.org.
The Psychology and Philosophy of William James: An Interdisciplinary Teaching Project

An interdisciplinary course on the psychology and philosophy of William James is described along with suggested reading materials. Such a course provides students with insights into the thought and character of an eminent psychologist-philosopher not easily attained in usual disciplinary studies.
An innovative selection and training program for problem-based learning (PBL) workshop leaders in biochemistry*

We describe here a novel and effective structure to support the replacement of traditional recitation sections in a large upper level biochemistry course with small student-led problem-based learning (PBL) groups (“workshops”) that employ a cooperative learning approach. This is part of an ongoing campus-wide effort to establish and maintain such workshops as a viable and integral component of many undergraduate courses at the University of Rochester. In biochemistry, for each workshop group of 8–10 students, we rely on a student leader, usually recruited from the previous year's pool of top students, whose function is both to guide and to inspire the group effort. A crucial component of our approach is that these leaders participate in a semester-long credit-bearing training course co-taught by the course instructors and an educational specialist. In this course, leaders review the preceding and upcoming weeks' workshops and study selected aspects of learning theory, group dynamics, and diversity training. Overall our workshop leaders feel that they benefit substantially from this training by improving their pedagogical skills in the context of biochemistry, by putting theories about group leadership and learning into practice, and by solidifying their working biochemical knowledge. We believe that the important features of implementing our model (the incorporation of a problem-based learning approach into a student-led small group format) are: 1) the teamwork as co-equals between the course instructors and the educational specialists, 2) the concurrent iterative training of the workshop leaders in a credit-bearing course of study, 3) the built-in leader turnover (normally a frustrating occurrence) as a beneficial component of the course, and 4) the enthusiasm and commitment to biochemistry displayed to current students by their peer leaders.
The effect of intermittent hypoxia on RNA synthesis in the isolated rat heart.

Abstract To determine whether hypoxia per se could initiate myocardial RNA synthesis, isolated rat hearts were subjected to varying degrees of hypoxic perfusion in a modified Langendorff apparatus. Hearts were perfused for 30 min with media equilibrated with gas mixtures containing 96, 48, 24, 12 and 0% O 2 , 4% CO 2 , balance N 2 ; then for an additional 30 min with aerobic (96% O 2 , 4% CO 2 ) media containing [ 14 C]-uridine and incorporation into RNA determined. Hearts which showed significantly decreased performance during hypoxic perfusion (24% O 2 or less) exhibited significant increases in uridine incorporation into RNA post-hypoxia. To assess the effect of hypoxia in the absence of contraction, hearts were arrested with media containing a high potassium concentration (26 mEq/l). Potassium-arrest during the aerobic labelling period only did not prevent increased incorporation of uridine following 30 min of hypoxia (12% and 0% O 2 ). Potassium-arrest during hypoxia as well as the labelling period prevented increased uridine incorporation in all but anoxia (0% O 2 ) exposed hearts. The myocardial content of high energy compounds (creatine phosphate, ATP, ADP, and AMP) was determined after 30 min of hypoxia in the absence and presence of potassium arrest. Only those hearts in which significant decreases in high energy phosphate content were observed, exhibited significant increases in uridine incorporation. It is concluded that intermittent hypoxia per se initiates events leading to increases in RNA synthesis, but only if energy depletion occurs.
Objectivity and Truth: You'd Better Believe It

Critique de la version selective du scepticisme archimedien, selon lequel les domaines evaluatifs de l'art et de la moralite ne peuvent fournir de verite objective. Distinguant le scepticisme externe du scepticisme interne, l'A. examine le statut de la neutralite et de l'austerite dans ces deux formes de morale (ou esthetique)
Predicting Speech State Anxiety from Trait Anxiety, Reactivity, and Situational Influences

Extensive research has been conducted to look at the patterns of speech state anxiety over time (Behnke & Sawyer, 1998 1999 2000 2001a 2001b; Sawyer & Behnke, 1999). In these studies, speaker state anxiety is measured at four key psychological moments, called milestones, occurring before, during, and immediately after speaking. The resulting patterns have been related to underlying psychological processes, including those described by Gray (1982). The purpose of the present study was to use Kenny and Zautra's (1995) Trait-State-Error (TSE) model to partition the variance in multiwave data for the public speaking milestones cited above in consecutive public speaking events. Results indicate that speech trait anxiety accounts for 52% of the variance in state anxiety milestone data, anxiety reactivity contributes 27% to the prediction, and situational influences add another 20% variance in the dependent variable. The remaining 1% in the model is attributed to random error of measurement.
Relationship of DNA repair to chromosome aberrations, sister-chromatid exchanges and survival during liquid-holding recovery in X-irradiated mammalian cells

Abstract The repair of X-ray induced DNA single strand breaks and DNA—protein cross-links was investigated in stationary phase, contact-inhibited mouse cells by the alkaline-elution technique. Approx. 90% of X-ray induced single strand breaks were rejoined during the first hour of repair, whereas most of the remaining breaks were rejoined more slowly during the next 5 h. At early repair times, the number of residual non-rejoined sungle strand breaks was approx. proportional to the X-ray dose. DNA—protein cross-links were removed at a slower rate ( T 1 2 approx. 10–12 h). Cells were held in stationary growth for various periods of time after irradiation before subculture at low density to score for colony survival (potentially lethal damage repair), chromosome aberrations in the first mitosis, and sister-chromatid exchanges in the second mitosis. Both cell killing and the frequency of chromosome aberrations decreased during the first several hours of recovery, reaching a minimum level by 6 h; this decrease correlated temporally with the repair of the slowly rejoining DNA-strand breaks. Relatively few sister-chromatid exchanges were observed when the cells were subcultured immediately after X-ray. The exchange frequency rose to maximum levels after a 4-h recovery interval, and returned to control levels after 12 h of recovery. The possible relationship of DNA repair to these changes in survival, chromosome aberrations, and sister-chromatid exchanges during liquid-holding recovery is discussed.
Kinetics of the catalytic vapor phase carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid

Abstract The reaction kinetics have been established for the low pressure vapor phase catalytic carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid using a solid supported rhodium complex catalyst. The catalyst is a heterogeneous analog of a previously developed homogeneous liquid phase catalyst system based upon a rhodium complex and an iodide promoter. Significantly, the reaction order dependencies are identical to those established for the liquid phase reaction (i.e., first order in iodide and independent of methanol and carbon monoxide concentrations). This suggests that in spite of the obvious physical differences between these heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts, a similar chemical reaction mechanism is probably operative.
Concerning the Energy Independence of the Velocity of Light

SEVERAL articles containing new evidence concerning the energy independence of the velocity of light contain statements which should be clarified. The postulate of the constancy of the velocity of light is standard for the derivation of the theory of relativity. It is possible to modify electromagnetism, preserving special relativity but introducing a vacuum dispersion; however, many experimental tests of the velocity of light as a function of energy intend to test the relativity postulate. One should therefore be careful in analysing these experiments in terms of concepts, such as those suggested by Professor Synge1, which are valid only if relativity is correct.
Response of excitonic absorption spectra to photoexcited carriers in GaAs quantum wells.

The changes induced in the optical-absorption spectrum of a GaAs/${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$As multiple-quantum well due to photoexcited carrier distributions are reexamined. We use a picosecond pump-probe technique to excite carriers in a sample having wells of thickness 210 \AA{} and barriers of thickness 100 \AA{}. We find that for densities up to 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{11}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ the peak of the exciton line of the lowest-energy exciton becomes bleached; however the spectrally integrated area does not change, indicating that the carriers reduce the absorption peak by collision broadening rather than by phase-space filling or exchange. We also observe shifts of the exciton line to higher energy (``blueshift'') or to lower energy (``redshift'') depending on the energy of the pump photons. The shift can be ascribed to competing effects of band-gap renormalization and the change in the binding energy of the exciton, although a detailed theoretical description is still needed.
La maternité et la modernité dans les romans de Monique LaRue

A partir des annees 1980, les ecrivaines quebecoises ont commence a reexaminer les images traditionnelles de la maternite. Les trois premiers romans de Monique LaRue — La cohorte fictive (1979), Les faux fuyants (1982) et Copies conformes (1989) — constituent de bons exemples de cette tendance. Dans ces textes, qui remettent en question les valeurs et les mythes culturels associes a la maternite, LaRue cree un espace ou la voix maternelle peut s’entendre et, en rattachant la mere a l’ecriture, la sort des marges du discours feministe.
Human factors issues for multi-modular reactor units

Smaller and multi-modular reactors (MMR) will be highly technologically-advanced systems allowing more system flexibility to reactor configurations (e.g., addition/removal of reactor units). While the technical and financial advantages of such systems may be numerous, MMR presents many human factors challenges that may pose vulnerabilities to plant safety. An important human factors challenge in MMR operation and performance is the monitoring of data from multiple plants from centralized control rooms where human operators are responsible for interpreting, assessing, and responding to different system states (e.g., simultaneously monitoring refueling at one plant while vigilant to another plant’s normal operating state). Furthermore, the operational, safety, and performance requirements for MMR can significantly change current staffing models and roles, the mode in which information is displayed, and the approach for conducting procedures and training. Consequently, addressing human factors concerns in MMR is essential in reducing plant risk.
A new numerical technique to design satellite energetic electron detectors

Energetic charged particles trapped in the magnetosphere are routinely detected by satellite instruments. However, it is generally difficult to extract quantitative energy and angular information from such measurements because the interaction of energetic electrons with matter is rather complex. Beam calibrations and Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations are often used to evaluate a flight instrument once it is built. However, rules of thumb and past experience are common tools to design the instrument in the first place. Hence, we have developed a simple numerical procedure, based on analytical probabilities, suitable for instrumental design and evaluation. In addition to the geometrical response, the contributions of surface backscattering, edge penetration, and bremsstrahlung radiation are estimated. The new results are benchmarked against MC calculations for a simple test case. Complicated effects, such as the contribution of the satellite to the instrumental response, can be estimated with the new formalism.
We am a virtual community

In summary, we are present at the birth of something special. Sociologists have an opportunity to observe the self-creation of electronic, virtual communities. While the development of conventional communities occurred over a time period so vast that we are denied records of their origins, the pace of evolution among today’s virtual communities is so fast as to make “keeping up” almost impossible. Fortunately, it is occurring in a medium that supports easy documentation—witness the ease with which I could report on netiquette by copying materials directly off the net. I find it difficult to terminate an article on the Internet since the phenomenon is still unfolding as I type this sentence. My own experience of the net is far different now than it was when I began this article just a few weeks ago. It will be radically different by the time you read this. Anyone who feels the future evolution of the Internet is fairly predictable should meditate on the fact that it’s chief supporters in government appear to be Al Gore and Newt Gingrich, an electronic odd couple.
Vesicostomy Revisited: The Best Treatment for the Hostile Bladder in Myelodysplastic Children?

calculated risk of hypertension from this review (5 in 1,000 cases) is smaller than in some published reports in the general population of children between age 4 years and adolescence. We have followed children with unilateral MCDK with ultrasounds performed at frequent intervals in the first 3 years of life (averaging every 6 months) and then annually until age 8. This evaluation schedule may result from habit rather than from a logical plan based on careful study. Narchi demonstrates that few hard data exist to validate the number of studies performed annually in children with MCDK. Pediatricians need to be aware that these children require blood pressure evaluation, from a practical standpoint probably during the well child visit. However, it is safe to say that the vast majority of these children do perfectly well without surgical removal of the multicystic dysplastic kidney.
Immune responses against self-TCR peptides.

Vaccination of rats against the TCR peptide V beta 8.2 (39-59) was reported to inhibit the immunopathogenic process of EAE. Analysis of the immune response to this peptide and several related TCR peptides yielded the following findings: (i) Lewis rats immunized in vivo and challenged in vitro responded with vigorous lymphocyte proliferative responses to peptide V beta 8.2 (39-59) and to three other rat TCR peptides, V beta 8.3 (15-32), V beta 8.3 (39-59), and V beta 14 (39-59). On the other hand, two other rat peptides, V beta 8.2 (18-38) and V beta 8.3 (62-76), were poorly immunogenic. (ii) Rat peptide V beta 8.2 (39-59) was found more immunogenic than its mouse homolog, in both Lewis rats and B10.A mice. A moderate level of cross-reactivity was observed between these two peptide homologs. (iii) Rats of different genetic makeups varied in their response to peptide V beta 8.2 (39-59). A similar pattern of response of the different rats was found with another TCR peptide, V beta 14 (39-59). Hybrids between high and low responder rat strains resembled the high responders in their response to the TCR peptides. (iv) Sensitized lymph node cells as well as lymphocytes of a cell line specific for peptide V beta 8.2 (39-59) failed to respond to T cells that express the V beta 8.2 gene product. This observation is interpreted to indicate that peptide V beta 8.2 (39-59) is a cryptic determinant of the V beta 8.2 protein. Moreover, the data suggest that lymphocytes proliferating against peptide V beta 8.2 (39-59) may not be responsible for the reported inhibition of EAE in rats vaccinated with this peptide.
Evolutionary morphology and Evo-devo: Hierarchy and novelty

Although the role of morphology in evolutionary theory remains a subject of debate, assessing the contributions of morphological investigation to evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-devo) is a more circumscribed issue of direct relevance to ongoing research. Historical studies of morphologically oriented researchers and the formation of the Modern Synthesis in the Anglo-American context identify a recurring theme: the synthetic theory of evolution did not capture multiple levels of biological organization. When this feature is incorporated into a philosophical framework for explaining the origin of evolutionary innovations and novelties (a core domain of inquiry in Evo-devo) two specific roles for morphology can be described: (1) the conceptualization and operational identification of the targets of explanation; and (2) the elucidation of causal interactions at higher levels of organization during ontogeny and through evolutionary time. These roles are critical components of any adequate explanation of innovation and novelty though not exhaustive of the parts played by morphology in evolutionary investigation. They also invite reflection on what counts as an evolutionary cause in contemporary evolutionary biology.
The nature of protein folding pathways: the classical versus the new view

Summary Pulsed hydrogen exchange and other studies of the kinetic refolding pathways of several small proteins have established that folding intermediates with native-like secondary structures are well populated, but these studies have also shown that the folding kinetics are not well synchronized. Older studies of the kinetics of formation of the native protein, monitored by optical probes, indicate that the folding kinetics should be synchronized. The model commonly used in these studies is the simple sequential model, which postulates a unique folding pathway with defined and sequential intermediates. Theories of the folding process and Monte Carlo simulations of folding suggest that neither the folding pathway nor the set of folding intermediates is unique, and that folding intermediates accumulate because of kinetic traps caused by partial misfolding. Recent experiments with cytochrome c lend support to this 'new view' of folding pathways. These different views of the folding process are discussed. Misfolding and consequent slowing down of the folding process as a result of cis-trans isomerization about prolyl peptide bonds in the unfolded protein are well known; isomerization occurs before refolding is initiated. The occurrence of equilibrium intermediates on the kinetic folding pathways of some proteins, such as c~-lactalbumin and apomyoglobin, argues that these intermediates are not caused by kinetic traps but rather are stable intermediates under certain conditions, and this conclusion is consistent with a sequential model of folding. Folding reactions with successive kinetic intermediates, in which late intermediates are more highly folded than early intermediates, indicate that folding is hierarchical. New experiments that test the predictions of the classical and the new views are needed.
Effect of Immobilization Stress on Rat Pineal β‐Adrenergic Receptor‐Mediated Function

The results of this investigation indicate that stress produced by immobilization alters rat pineal function. Chronic stress reduced the density of pineal beta-adrenergic receptors and the activities of the intracellular enzyme serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT), its product N-acetylserotonin (NAS), and the pineal hormone melatonin, which was measured during the dark phase of the diurnal lighting cycle. Removal of the adrenal medulla did not prevent the reduction of pineal beta-adrenergic receptor binding sites that is observed after chronic stress. Acute immobilization stress suppressed the dark-induced elevations of pineal NAT activity and NAS levels 10 h after the stress session without altering pineal beta-adrenergic receptor binding. Although the precise mechanisms responsible for these effects are not completely clear, the results indicate that they are related to changes in sympathetic neuronal activity and not mediated by stress-induced elevations in plasma catecholamines.
The diagnostic accuracy of 22-gauge and 25-gauge needles in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of solid pancreatic lesions: a meta-analysis.

Background and study aims: It is uncertain if needle gauge impacts the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of pancreatic mass lesions. Our aim was to use meta-analysis to more robustly define the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA for pancreatic masses using 22 G and 25 G needles. Patients and methods: Studies were identified by searching nine medical databases for reports published between 1994 and 2011, using a reproducible search strategy comprised of relevant terms. Only studies comparing the overall diagnostic accuracy of 22 G vs. 25 G EUS needles that used surgical histology or at least 6 months clinical follow up for a gold standard were included. Two reviewers independently scored the identified studies for methodology and abstracted pertinent data. When required, the original investigators were contacted to provide additional data. Pooling was conducted by both fixed-effects and random-effects models. Diagnostic characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Eight studies involving 1292 subjects met the defined inclusion criteria. Of the 1292 patients, 799 were in the 22 G group and 565 were in the 25 G group (both needles were used in 72 patients). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the 22 G needle were 0.85 (95 %CI 0.82 – 0.88) and 1 (95 %CI 0.98 – 1) respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the 25 G needle were 0.93 (95 %CI 0.91 – 0.96) and 0.97 (95 %CI 0.93 – 0.99) respectively. The bivariate generalized linear random-effect model indicated that the 25 G needle is associated with a higher sensitivity (P = 0.0003) but comparable specificity (P = 0.97) to the 22 G needle. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests 25 G needle systems are more sensitive than 22 G needles for diagnosing pancreatic malignancy.
The Role of a Hot Gas Environment in the Evolution of Galaxies

Most spiral galaxies are found in galaxy groups with low velocity dispersions; most E/S0 galaxies are found in galaxy groups with relatively high velocity dispersions. The mass of the hot gas we can observe in the E/S0 groups via their thermal X-ray emission is, on average, as much as the baryonic mass of the galaxies in these groups. By comparison, galaxy clusters have as much or more hot gas than stellar mass. Hot gas in S-rich groups, however, is of low enough temperature for its X-ray emission to suffer heavy absorption due to Galactic H I and related observational effects and hence is hard to detect. We postulate that such lower temperature hot gas does exist in low velocity dispersion, S-rich groups and explore the consequences of this assumption. For a wide range of metallicity and density, hot gas in S-rich groups can cool in far less than a Hubble time. If such gas exists and can cool, especially when interacting with H I in existing galaxies, then it can help link together a number of disparate observations, both Galactic and extragalactic, that are otherwise difficult to understand.
Laparoscopic management and clinical outcome of emphysematous cholecystitis.

Background: As opposed to acute, chronic, and acalculus cholecystitis, emphysematous cholecystitis (EC) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Only a few studies have specifically reviewed the operative management and clinical outcome of EC. This study documents the operative management and clinical outcome of EC at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Methods: Between January 1996 and June 1999, 18 consecutive patients underwent cholecystectomy for emphysematous cholecystitis at our institution. All charts were reviewed retrospectively, and patients undergoing concurrent procedures were excluded. Mean values ± standard deviation (SD) of the mean were calculated for patient demographics, preoperative white blood cell count (WBC), bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and length of hospital stay. Operative procedure (laparoscopic, converted, or open), preoperative imaging studies, operative time, ICU stay, morbidity, and mortality were reviewed. Results: Patients presented with a mean age of 53.4 years (range, 18-80) and a male/female ratio of 3.5 (14/4). There were no differences between groups in terms of patient demographics. Mean WBC on admission was 14.2 K/mL (range, 5.4-19.7). Mean alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin were 115 U/L (range, 45-428) and 1.4 mg/dl (range, 0.5-3.4), respectively. Thirteen patients (72%) were completed laparoscopically, two patients (11%) were converted to an open procedure, and three patients (17%) had open surgery. Overall mean length of hospital stay was 5 days (range, 1-18). Two patients from the open group ultimately died 1 year later due to progression of preexisting illness. One of these patients had congestive heart failure and chronic renal failure; the other had metastatic malignant melanoma. None of the patients died in the immediate perioperative period. There were five complications (27.8%). Two patients presented with bleeding secondary to heparin and coumadin therapy. One developed sepsis, and another developed leakage from the cystic duct stump, necessitating an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) with stent decompression. The fifth complication, ileus, required readmission 3 days postoperatively, but the patient responded to conservative management. Complications were evenly distributed between the three groups. There were two complications in the laparoscopic group, two in the open group, and one in the conversion group. All other patients were alive at the time of this publication. Conclusions: Using current techniques, patients with EC can be managed successfully utilizing laparoscopy. Morbidity and mortality appear to be slightly higher than published reports for acute, chronic, and acalculus cholecystitis. Conversion rates are comparable to patients with acute and chronic cholecystitis who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Based on these data, laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be considered the first-line treatment for patients with known or suspected EC.
A steep cline in Pinus muricata

Clines, including hybrid zones, have long been studied empirically and theoretically, especially for the opportunity they present to study evolutionary forces (Sumner, 1929; Haldane, 1948; Barber and Jackson, 195 7). Recent theoretical studies have emphasized that clines may be important in speciation (summarized in Endler, 1977). This emphasis has motivated mathematical modelling of gene flow and selection (Endler, 1973; Slatkin, 1973; Nagylaki, 1975, 1976), and has renewed interest in the origin and evolution of steep clines (Endler, 197 7; Moore, 197 7).
EFFECT OF SWEETENERS AND STABILIZERS ON THE STRUCTURE OF ICE CREAM MIX AS DETERMINED BY ACOUSTIC METHODS

Various ratios of guar gum to locust bean gum were used with nine combinations of sucrose, 36DE corn syrup and 42 high fructose corn syrup (42 HFCS) in a standard ice cream formulation. It was demonstrated that differences in the structure (defined as change in adiabatic compressibility) of the mixes could be determined by measuring the acoustic parameters of sound velocity and density. From these parameters adiabatic compressibility was calculated. Data indicated an increase in mix structure when the guar to locust bean gum ratio was increased. This occurred with each of the nine sweetener combinations. With respect to changes in sweetener, the amount of corn syrup had little effect on structure. An increase in 42 HFCS, however, increased the structure. Differences in structure were attributed to the changes in the structure of water contained in the mix.
Post-Divorce Maternal Disclosure and the Father–Adolescent Relationship: Adolescent Emotional Autonomy and Inter-Reactivity as Moderators

Utilizing longitudinal data from a project that examined the post-divorce lives of mothers and adolescents, we addressed two questions: (a) Does exposure to negative maternal disclosure about the ex-husband/father impact adolescents’ perceptions of the father-adolescent relationship? and (b) Are adolescents with low emotional autonomy and high emotional inter-reactivity especially vulnerable? Participants were 154 adolescents, who ranged in age from 12 to 18 years at wave two. Although there was no significant bivariate association between maternal negative disclosure about the father and father-adolescent relationship quality, boys’ level of emotional autonomy and emotional inter-reactivity moderated the association between maternal negative disclosure and the father–adolescent relationship. As hypothesized, boys with lower levels of emotional autonomy and higher levels of emotional inter-reactivity vis-a-vis their mothers perceived a lower quality of relationship with their father when their mother frequently disclosed negatively about the ex-husband/father. Research and applied implications are discussed.
Exploring exciton-plasmon coupling in laser- and electron-beam-fabricated nanostructures

Zinc oxide is a wide bandgap insulator with significant promise for applications in optics, electro-optics and electronics. However, there are challenges in growing high-quality material, and a prominent visible luminescence channel due to defect recombination competes with the ultraviolet band-edge exciton decay. Here we demonstrate the possibility of characterizing a specific defect by means of Purcell enhanced exciton-plasmon dynamics and photoluminescence.
On-line error detection through data duplication in distributed-memory systems

Abstract The scalability of distributed-memory systems makes them attractive for massively parallel computations. Howevcr, the issues of fault detection and fault tolerance are critical in such systems since the probability of having faulty components increases with the number of processors. We propose a methodology for fault detection on distributed-memory systems through compiler support. The single-program multiple-data (SPMD) execution model is extended to execute programs in which selecta data items are duplicated on different processors. During execution, whenever the values of duplicated data are computed, they are compared for the purpose of error detection. In other words, fault detection is controlled by the duplication of data. The proposed compiler-assisted fault-detection technique does not require any specialized hardware and attempts to exploit the idle capacity of the system whenever possible. After presenting the principles of duplicated computation through data duplication and the corresponding compiler algorithms, we focus on regular loops to exploit the idle processors for fault-detection purpose. We present experimental results that demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.
An Interfaith Encounter at Jacob’s Well A Missiological Interpretation of John 4:4‐42

After review various approaches and possible interpretations of John 4:4‐42 (i.e., christological, pneumatological, sacramental, liturgical, and feminist), the essay presents a missiological reading of John 4:4‐42. It shows how the text answers questions about the origin, purpose, contents, and fruits of the church’s mission. Finally, it argues that Jesus’ and the Samaritan woman’s mutual interactions represent a possible paradigm for interreligious dialogue which is an essential part of Christian mission.
Ethics is the driver, Mosaic is the vehicle, and network instruction is the precious cargo

The College of Agriculture at the University of Illinois had an ambitious goal: train 500 incoming freshman students how to take advantage of their computer network privileges without placing undue demands on their time. Because the College already had outstanding computer facilities and expertise, the Department of Academic Programs chose AIM lab to handle the task. AIM stands for Agriculture Instructional Media, and the staff, led by John Schmitz, searched for the most helpful message, meaning, and means to deliver the project. John and I created and developed the computer tutorial, and because both of us are enthused about {open_quotes}the Net{close_quotes} and being good citizens in the cyber community, we built ethics into our design from the earliest stages. You can examine our team`s product on the Web at/http://gopher.ag.uiuc.edu/WWW/AIM/Discovery/Net/intro.html. To give a brief overview of our message to the students, and the University community which will also share in our work, here is the wording from the opening Mosaic screen, a clear statement of the goals of our project: We believe that access to the Internet is a privilege. You need a basic knowledge of the {open_quotes}rules of the road{close_quotes} in order to be a good citizen of the Internetmore » community. You should be required to earn a driver`s license to use the Information Superhighway.« less
Mathematical modeling of seed mixing in magnetohydrodynamic power generators

The performance of magnetohydrodynamic - MHD - generators is influenced by inhomogeneities in plasma properties. One of the sources of small scale inhomogeneity is the incomplete mixing of gas and seed, and of hot and cold gas regions (or, more generally, of electron-rich and electron-poor regions) as the plasma travels from the burner of a combustion-driven generator to the working section. This question presents two different and, in a way, complementary sides: (a) gross maldistribution of electron density, arising, for instance, from combustion injection patterns, are gradually smoothed out by turbulent mixing, and (b) even after this is accomplished, the smaller eddies of higher and lower conductivity still persist on continuously decreasing scales as the r.m.s. of its fluctuations decays only slowly in time. In this paper, we address the first of these two inhomogeneities in the plasma. A simple model is postulated for the injection pattern of seed concentration through a rectangular array of point sources. The turbulent diffusion process is followed through the plug-flow combustion, the nozzle, and finally, the generator. No account is taken of the effect of the magnetic field on the turbulence structure, but viscous decay and axial stretching of the flow in the nozzle are considered. Under these assumptions and that plasma properties are nearly constant in planes normal to the flow direction and axial diffusion is small compared to transverse diffusion, the conservation equation for the seed concentration @j, is: [email protected]?^[email protected]@?y^[email protected]?^[email protected]@?z^2)=U"[email protected][email protected]@?x, where D (the diffusivity in the transerve plane) and U"g, (the plasma velocity) are functions of the axial distance x. It is shown that the effects of the initial maldistribution can be disregarded as soon as the lateral diffusion distance [email protected]^ has become 14 to 12 the distance between sources where x is defined by: ([email protected]?)^[email protected][email protected]?U"gdx
Clusters stuffed inside frameworks: Electronic structure theory

A zeolite, or other framework material, can be used as a template to form regular 3D arrays of nanosize clusters stuffed inside the framework cages. The aluminosilicate zeolite framework materials have wide electronic bandgaps, so that the stuffed species can produce new active electronic states within that bandgap. We discuss several real and model examples of such systems. We start with a framework of pure silicon, which is the silicon clathrate, and discuss its properties when stuffed with a single alkali atom in each cage. Caged structures of clathrates are similar to those of zeolites and can house alkali metal atoms in a periodic fashion with spacing varying from 5 to 15 A Next we investigate a model system of semiconductor clusters (Si) in the SiO2 framework in the sodalite geometry. Sodalite contains \-cages which are building blocks common to the structure of many important zeolites. We investigate theoretically atomic geometries, energetics and electronic properties of small semiconductor clusters in silica-sodalite. We also consider metal atom Na clusters in naturally occurring sodalite. We find that introducing Si semiconductor clusters within the cages of zeolites gives rise to flat electronic bands in the bandgap of the host, while alkali metal clusters give broad bands. The electronic properties are found in many cases to be dominated by many-body electronic correlation effects.
Cognition and tyrosine supplementation among school-aged children with phenylketonuria.

Sir. —Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism characterized by the inability to hydroxylate phenylalanine (PHE) to tyrosine (TYR). The condition is diagnosed by documentation of elevated serum PHE levels, and typically leads to moderate to severe mental retardation in its untreated form. Individuals with PKU who undergo early dietary PHE restriction usually achieve a full-scale IQ in the normal range. 1 Serum PHE levels of 120 to 480 μmol/L are the typical target values in treatment and constitute good dietary control. Current clinical recommendations and research findings support the need to maintain dietary control throughout childhood. 2-4 For various reasons, monitoring of serum TYR levels is not routine in many metabolic clinics. In our clinic, approximately 38% of patients with PKU who are younger than age 19 years have below-normal serum TYR concentrations (48 μmol/L). This is not clearly correlated with the kind of medical food or diet
Infectious Disease Biomarkers: Non-Antibody-Based Host Responses

Biomarkers, or biologic markers, are measurable substances which are produced by the body in response to a particular infection, or a recent change in status of the patient. They are in vivo host responses which are indicative of the overall biological state of the patient at the time. According to the Definitions Biomarkers Working Group, a biomarker is “… a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biologic processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention” [1]. Usually quantifiable, biomarkers include both antibody- and non-antibody-based host responses. This chapter focuses on the assessment and interpretation of non-antibody-based host responses which are produced by the patient in response to changes in homeostasis due to infection.
Beauty queens, machistas and street children The production and reception of socio-cultural issues in telenovelas

• Consumed in over 130 countries, telenovelas are media products particularly suitable for the examination of the dialogue between media, culture and society. In 2003—4, Venezuelan telenovela Cosita Rica took the stage alongside the country’s political crisis and deep polarization around President Hugo Chavez. Cosita Rica both straddled and blurred the line between fact and fiction through its multiple plots framed by Venezuela’s political and socioeconomic crises. I focus on the production and reception of Cosita Rica’s representations of three of Venezuela’s socio-cultural issues: obsession with physical beauty, machismo, and street children. The article looks closely at the dialogue between television and country at a critical and historical time, and provides clues to the reception of entertainment media content when such content includes critical stances towards the social formation’s cultural fabric. •
Leadership by design: collaborations and cornerstones

This paper chronicles the collaborative efforts of Valparaiso University's IT department and main library over the past five years. Highlights of selected resources and services that have come from our efforts involve web sites and resources, instruction services, shared spaces, user guides, personnel issues, and facility planning. Our intent is to reinforce the idea that campus leadership on issues such as these doesn't have to happen from the administrative level-it can come directly from the frontline support units. It also doesn't take a new building or an administrator to create this synergy; anyone who is committed to a collaborative model can benefit. We aren't merging our services or units, but rather, we are enhancing the services of both with this collaboration and cross-training.
Sequential mobilization of marrow fat in the Impala (Aepyceros melampus) and analysis of condition of Wild dog (Lycaon pictus) prey

Mobilization of bone marrow fat in the fore and hindlimbs of the Impala (Aepycevos melampus) was shown to be sequential in nature, with proximal bones showing distinct fat loss before medial and distal bones were mobilized. There are indications that medial bone marrow fat is mobilized at a greater rate than that of the distal bone in both the fore and hindlimbs, thus indicating sequential mobilization proceeding distally from the proximal bone. Further evidence suggests that bones in the hindlimb are mobilizing fat at a faster rate than comparable bones in the forelimb. The degree of marrow fat loss shows that Wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Kruger National Park, South Africa are preying on Impala which exhibit both high and low marrow fat values, thereby indicating predation on both sick and relatively healthy animals. The presence of relatively healthy animals in the Wild dog diet is seen as a direct result of the high density of cover and consequent low visibility in the Kruger National Park.
Career Assessment and the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale:

This article begins with a brief overview of the theories underlying the development of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (CDMSE; Taylor & Betz, 1983), specifically Bandura's self-efficacy (1977, 1986) theory and Crites's career maturity theory (1978). Research on the correlates and consequences of career decision- making self-efficacy is reviewed, especially that showing the strong relationships of career self-efficacy to career indecision and other indices of problems in career decision-making. This article also reviews the uses of the CDMSE in the design and evaluation of educational and counseling interventions designed to increase perceptions of self-efficacy in relationship to the process of career decision-making.