cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Organizational Behavior Analysis of Teacher Attitudes about Teaching High School Economics

Abstract In this article, the authors utilize a general analysis of organizational behavior theory to construct and test s set of hypotheses concerning the determinants of teacher work attitudes. The characteristics that influence worker satisfaction were divided into two sets: individual attributes and job characteristics. Results of a probit analysis raise interesting questions about the impact of experience, autonomy, differences between teacher and student goals, and teaching aids from outside agencies on teacher attitudes about the teaching of high school economics.
A Lagrangian level set-like method for modelling and simulation in bioengineering

The level set method has been used for 20 years in a wide range of physical applications to track moving interfaces instead of an explicit description of the geometry. This paper studies in detail the shape of the level set function, delimiting a sub-domain in solid mechanics, with an innovative update method based on the computation of a displacement field obtained with the values of the level set function. A criterion based on the values of the level set function is proposed in order to assign the material properties. With the help of this criterion, an optimal approach is proposed, which predicts an accurate evolution of the sub-domain boundary. To validate this method, it was first applied in two dimensions to a through-thickness hole plate case, and then to the cases of brain tumour expansion and grasping to demonstrate the applicability of the method.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF PARTICLE TRANSPORT IN PLANAR SHEAR LAYERS

Abstract Numerical simulations of particle dispersion in a planar shear dominated by large scale vortical structures are reported. The shear layer is formed by two co-flowing streams past a splitter plate. The emphasis of this work is on examining how the particle dynamics are affected by the large-scale coherent structures in the initial development of the instabilities in a spatially-developing mixing layer. The two-dimensional time-dependent gas-phase equations are solved numerically using the explicit flux corrected transport (FCT) algorithm in the low-Mach-number regime. The dispersion of particles is studied by following their trajectories in the shear layer. A detailed visualization of the flow field, dominated by the large structures, and of the particle dynamics is performed to obtain qualitative as well as quantitative information on the particle dispersion. The visualization clearly reveals the capturing of the small and intermediate size particles by the vortical structures. The small size particles, however, remain captured in the vortical structures, whereas the intermediate size particles are flung out of them, leading to their enhanced dispersion. The large particles remain mostly unaffected by the large eddies. The quantitative results obtained indicate that the above behavior can be well correlated with the Stokes number (S t ) values; the optimal dispersion corresponds to the Stokes numbers in the range 0.1 t
Assessing for Dry Mouth in Patients With Orofacial Pain may be Beneficial, but Study Does Not Provide Evidence

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Xerostomia and salivary flow in patients with orofacial pain compared with controls. da Silva LA, Teixeira MJ, de Siqueira JT, de Siqueira SR. Arch Oral Biol 2011;56:1142-7. Reviewer Wenche S. Borgnakke, DDS, MPH, PhD Purpose/Question To investigate whether salivary flow (saliva secretion per minute) and xerostomia (feeling of oral dryness) were related to orofacial pain Source of Funding The Foundation of Research of the State of Sao Paulo (FAPESP), Brazil; Grant # 2009/00350-6 Type of Study/Design Case-control study Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable
The detection and diagnosis of hemoglobin A2' by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Hemoglobin (Hb) A 2 ' is a hematologically silent variant of HbA 2 that is detected easily by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC), where it elutes in the S window. Our purposes were to define diagnostic criteria for the HbA 2 ' trait using the Variant II (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA) and to determine the prevalence of HbA 2 ' in a metropolitan patient population. All Hb screens (N = 5,862) performed during a 26-month period were reviewed for new hemoglobinopathies. We identified 57 cases of HbA 2 ' trait, making it the fourth most prevalent Hb variant detected in this population after HbS, HbC, and βthalassemia minor. For HbA 2 ' trait cases, the mean HbA 2 level was 1.7% (SD, 0.17%), and the mean HbA 2 ' level was 1.3% (SD, 0.18%). Six possible HbA 2 '/βthalassemia double heterozygotes were identified, for whom the sum of the HbA 2 and HbA 2 ' exceeded 4% of total Hb. Hb variants that might interfere with detection of HbA 2 ' include HbS, glycosylated HbC, and HbG 2 . Diagnostic criteria proposed for the HbA 2 ' trait by HPLC are HbA 2 of 2% or less, S window peak of 1% to 2%, no previous diagnosis of HbS, and absence of HbG and HbC.
A New Method for Obtaining Stress-Depth Calibration Profiles for Non-Destructive Evaluation Using a Frequency-Dependent Model of Barkhausen Emissions

This study presents the development of a non-destructive method of detecting stress as a function of depth, useful for inspecting steel structures and components without the need to calibrate against x-ray diffraction data. A new frequency-dependent model for Barkhausen emissions based on the attenuation of emission with frequency and distance is used to extract depth-dependent stress information. Controlled, uniform stresses are induced in an ASTM A36 steel specimen, which are then used as a reference to obtain stress-voltage calibration profiles. An inversion process can then be employed to assess specimens of unknown stress states, by using the previously calculated profiles. The slope of the calibration profiles is found to vary with depth, and a simple computer algorithm may be used to extract stresses at different depths by using an averaging method.
Phorbol Ester Activation of an NHE-Like Electroneutral Na+ /H+ Antiporter in Isolated E-Cells of Lobster (Homarus Americanus) Hepatopancreas

The basolateral membrane of Atlantic lobster (Homarus americanus) epithelium possesses an electroneutral Na+/H+ antiporter that functionally resembles members of the vertebrate NHE family. Regulatory mechanisms of this antiporter in purified hepatopancreatic E-cell suspensions, produced with a centrifugal elutriation technique, were investigated. Suspensions routinely consisted of greater than 95% E-cells displaying greater than 90% viability. Intracellular pH (pHi) was monitored by loading cells with the fluorescent dye 2′,7′-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF), and placing suspensions in a spectrofluorometer. Recovery from induced acid-loading was mediated by a Na+-dependent, dimethylamiloride-sensitive proton efflux. Antiport activation was a sigmoidal function of pHi at values below 7.0. Addition of 20 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to cells suspended in a lobster physiological saline (pHo = 7.4) increased pHi from 7.2 to 7.5 over a 10-min interval. Phorbol ester-induced activation of the Na+/H+ antiporter was due to an increased affinity for internal H+ (apparent pK was shifted toward more alkaline values) at the level of an internal H+-binding allosteric modifier site. No effect was observed when cells were exposed to 2 μM 8-Br-cAMP. Phorbol ester activation of the lobster NHE-like Na+/H+ antiporter was inhibited by 10 nM bisindoylmaleimide I, a potent protein kinase C inhibitor. These results taken together suggest a remarkable conservation of Na+/H+ antiport across phyla. J. Exp. Zool. 281:97–108, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Conserved Domains Subserve Novel Mechanisms and Functions in DKF-1, a Caenorhabditis elegans Protein Kinase D

Protein kinase D (PKD) isoforms are effectors in signaling pathways controlled by diacylglycerol. PKDs contain conserved diacylglycerol binding (C1a, C1b), pleckstrin homology (PH), and Ser/Thr kinase domains. However, the properties of conserved domains may vary within the context of distinct PKD polypeptides. Such functional/structural malleability (plasticity) was explored by studying Caenorhabditis elegans D kinase family-1 (DKF-1), a PKD that governs locomotion in vivo. Phorbol ester binding with C1b alone activates classical PKDs by relieving C1-mediated inhibition. In contrast, C1a avidly ligated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and anchored DKF-1 at the plasma membrane. C1b bound PMA (moderate affinity) and cooperated with C1a in targeting DKF-1 to membranes. Mutations at a "Pro(11)" position in C1 domains were inactivating; kinase activity was minimal at PMA concentrations that stimulated wild type DKF-1 approximately 10-fold. DKF-1 mutants exhibited unchanged, maximum kinase activity after cells were incubated with high PMA concentrations. Titration in situ revealed that translocation and activation of wild type and mutant DKF-1 were tightly and quantitatively linked at all PMA concentrations. Thus, C1 domains positively regulated phosphotransferase activity by docking DKF-1 with pools of activating lipid. A PH domain inhibits kinase activity in classical PKDs. The DKF-1 PH module neither inhibited catalytic activity nor bound phosphoinositides. Consequently, the PH module is an obligatory, positive regulator of DKF-1 activity that is compromised by mutation of Lys(298) or Trp(396). Phosphorylation of Thr(588) switched on DKF-1 kinase activity. Persistent phosphorylation of Thr(588) (activation loop) promoted ubiquitinylation and proteasome-mediated degradation of DKF-1. Each DKF-1 domain displayed novel properties indicative of functional malleability (plasticity).
First‐order design sensitivities for transient conduction problems by an adjoint method

An adjoint approach is presented for the design sensitivity analysis of transient conduction problems. Variations of a general design functional are expressed in explicit form with respect to all design quantities, i.e. material properties, shape, applied thermal loads including convection, and initial conditions. The methodology incorporates the mutual energy between the real and adjoint thermal problems and a geometric mapping to describe shape variations. Finite element implementation of the method is discussed and an example is provided. Some potential difficulties that might be encountered when using the adjoint method with the finite element method are addressed. These involve the application of impulse loadings and Dirac temperature fields in the adjoint loadings.
The Influence of E-Mail as an Interoffice Communication Tool in Small Organizations:

E-mail has significantly impacted the way we communicate in business, possibly going so far as to affect the social structure of organizations. One under-explored affect of e-mail is how it impacts communication in smaller organizations. Given the ability of regular “face-to-face” interaction, is e-mail necessary to boost communication? A report of employee attitudes in one small business did provide an opportunity to observe the impact of e-mail on communications and employee attitudes. As a result, it is suspected that interoffice e-mail may serve to link formal and informal communication channels, particularly in terms of including managers to the informal communications network.
Biexcitons in the semiconductor Cu 2 O : An explanation of the rapid decay of excitons

Excitons in the semiconductor ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ exhibit a puzzling density-dependent lifetime that severely limits the attainable gas density. Our previous experimental work on this nearly ideal gas points to an anomalously strong Auger recombination process. The observed exciton decay rate is over five orders of magnitude larger than present theoretical estimates indicate for this crystal. Based on time- and space-resolved photoluminescence studies, we propose that the exciton densities are limited by their binding into short-lived excitonic molecules.
Intraoral morbidity following free buccal mucosal graft harvesting for urethroplasty

Buccal mucosa is the preferred donor tissue for urethroplasty in many cases. This study documents donor site morbidity associated with this technique in 12 patients. Nine patients had a transiently decreased parotid salivary flow for 1 week, and one patient reported transient nerve involvement (long buccal nerve). Intraincisal opening returned to presurgical values within 6 weeks and in some cases exceeded presurgical values. This appears to be a low morbidity technique with high patient acceptance.
Triple-goal estimates for disease mapping.

Maps of regional morbidity and mortality rates play an important role in assessing environmental equity. They provide effective tools for identifying areas with potentially elevated risk, determining spatial trend, and formulating and validating aetiological hypotheses about disease. Bayes and empirical Bayes methods produce stable small-area rate estimates that retain geographic and demographic resolution. The beauty of the Bayesian approach lies in its ability to structure complicated models, inferential goals and analyses. Three inferential goals are relevant to disease mapping and risk assessment: (i) computing accurate estimates of disease rates in small geographic areas; (ii) estimating the distribution of disease rates over the region; (iii) ranking the disease rates so that environmental investigation can be prioritized. No single set of estimates can simultaneously optimize these three goals, and Shen and Louis propose a set of estimates that perform well on all three goals. These are optimal for estimating the distribution of rates and for ranking, and maintain a high accuracy in estimating area-specific rates. However, the Shen/Louis method is sensitive to choice of priors. To address this issue we introduce a robustified version of the method based on a smoothed non-parametric estimate of the prior. We evaluate the performance of this method through a simulation study, and illustrate it using a data set of county-specific lung cancer rates in Ohio.
Studies on extracts of cockroach foregut employing enzymes inactivating cholinergic and adrenergic materials

Abstract Extracts of foregut were treated with cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase. The activity of the extracts was either potentiated or reduced depending on the level of cardioacceleratory activity in the foregut extracts. Low extract activity was potentiated and high extract activity reduced by monoamine oxidase. The reverse was true for cholinesterase. Ingluvial ganglion extracts contained cardioacceleratory activity which when low was potentiated and when high reduced by atropine blocking. These findings provide additional evidence for the presence of cholinergic and adrenergic materials in extracts of insect foregut.
Antibiotica bij bovensteluchtweginfecties

CATS, critically appraised topics, proberen een evidence-based antwoord op een praktijkvraag te krijgen.
Performance of single-reference coupled-cluster methods for quasidegenerate problems : the H4 model

Several coupled-cluster methods based on a single-determinantal reference function have been applied to the model system composed of four hydrogen atoms in a trapezoidal arrangement. For nondegenerate regions all methods with the exception of CCD provide results within 1 mhartree of the exact (FCI) value. For degenerate regions such an accuracy can be achieved with the inclusion of theT3 andT4 clusters, in an iterative and in a noniterative manner. We report results for CCSDT, CCSDTQ-1, CCSD+TQ*(CCSD), CCSD+Q(CCSDT) plus other methods. In particular, the ACP method which has been proposed to indirectly account forT4 terms is critically analyzed by including allT3 contributions.
Auger catalog calculated transition energies listed by energy and element

The possible Auger transitions between 10 and 3000 eV for the elements from atomic number 3 through 92 have been calculated for 6000 eV incident electrons. Use was made of the empirical expression Evxy = Ev − Ex′ − Ey′, where Ev is the binding energy of the initially ejected electron, Ex′ = [Ex(Z) + Ex(Z+1)]/2, and Ey′ = [Ey(z) + Ey(Z+1)]/2. Ex(Z) and Ex(Z+1) are the atomic binding energies for the x-electron in atoms having atomic numbers Z and Z + 1, respectively. Ey(Z) and Ey(Z+1) are the same for the y-electron. The spectra are listed in order of increasing atomic number with the transitions for each element identified and listed in order of increasing energy. A shorter table, ordered entirely by energy, presents strong lines of all elements.
Validation of FACT/GOG-AD subscale for ovarian cancer-related abdominal discomfort: A Gynecologic Oncology Group study

Abstract Objective To evaluate the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Abdominal Discomfort (FACT/GOG-AD) subscale for assessing abdominal discomfort in patients undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer. Methods A four-item questionnaire was developed for use in Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) protocol 172. It was administered to patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated on this protocol with intravenous (IV) cisplatin/paclitaxel or a combination of intravenous and intraperitoneal (IP) cisplatin/paclitaxel (IV/IP) prior to randomization, before cycle 4, 3–6 weeks after cycle 6, and 12 months after cycle 6. The subscale was evaluated in patients receiving IV/IP therapy for internal consistency, concurrent validity, sensitivity to treatment differences, and responsiveness to abdominal discomfort grading. Results Internal consistency coefficients were 0.83 and 0.87 at baseline and pre-cycle 4 assessments, respectively; the average inter-item correlation was 0.61 at the pre-cycle 4 assessment. Item correlation with other scales ranged from 0.00–0.44. This subscale was able to distinguish those graded to have physician-rated abdominal pain compared to those without clinician-reported discomfort. Conclusion The four-item AD subscale reliably and validly assesses ovarian cancer-specific abdominal discomfort, and captures abdominal symptom responses to IV and IV/IP cisplatin/paclitaxel treatments.
Phase-field simulation of three-dimensional dendrites: is microscopic solvability theory correct?

Dendritic growth theory and experiment are critically examined in the light of recent three-dimensional phase-field simulations of the crystallization of a pure undercooled melt. These simulations make use of a new thin-interface limit of phase-field equations that makes it possible to perform efficient computations in three dimensions with negligible interface kinetics. These computations are applied to perform a quantitative test of microscopic solvability theory, which is reviewed here, and to make contact with low undercooling experiments by exploiting the scaling property of the dendrite growth problem. A good overall agreement is found between the steady-state operating state of the dendrite tip selected dynamically in the simulations and the one predicted by solvability theory over a wide range of crystalline anisotropy. Quantitative differences between solvability predictions and simulations are present at larger anisotropy but reflect the limitation of the axisymmetric approximation presently used to carry out these predictions rather than a conceptual breakdown of this theory. Phase-field simulation results yield an improved agreement with experiment for succinonitrile. A poor agreement however is still obtained for pivalic acid. Possible origins of this disagreement are discussed.
An NMR study of the state of ions and diffusion in perfluorosulfonate ionomer

Proton and sodium-23 spectra are reported on acid and sodium neutralized forms of the perfluorosulfonate ionomer (Nafion), respectively. This local structural view is compared with pulse field gradient diffusion measurements of water, methanol and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) in several Nafion films. Both the proton and sodium-23 spectra indicate that the counter ions are primarily in clusters or aggregates with no evidence for isolated ions. The proton resonance from the sulfonic acid group reflects hydrogen bonding but these protons rapidly exchange with sorbed water. There is also evidence for small amounts of water not in contact with the ionic clusters. Pulse field gradient diffusion measurements of water show little evidence of tortuous diffusion though a tortuous pathway might be expected for diffusion through domains of ionic clusters. A cast film shows greater evidence of a tortuous pathway than commercially prepared Nafion sheets though the level of tortuosity is still low. Methanol diffusion shows more tortuosity in both commercial films and cast films with the most tortuosity in a cast film containing fumed silica nanoparticles. Even greater tortuosity is observed for DMMP. The greatest tortuoisty is observed for DMMP in cast films with nanoparticles and this is an improvement in terms of potential applications of Nafion in chemical protection. Though the high-resolution proton spectra show only modest differences between commercial film, cast film and nanocomposite film, more significant structural changes on a larger length scale are detected in the pulse field gradient NMR experiments. Cast films may display more tortuous diffusion because of better-organized domains of ionic groups, backbone units and side chains even though this is not clearly indicated by focusing on the structure of the ionic cluster itself.
The multichain interleukin-2-receptor: A target for immunotherapy of patients with adult T-cell leukemia, autoimmune disorders and individuals receiving allografts

Antigen-induced activation of resting T cells induces the synthesis of interleukin-2 (IL-2), as well as the expression of specific cell surface high-affinity receptors for this lymphokine. There are at least two forms of the cellular receptors for IL-2, one with a very high affinity and the other with a lower affinity. We have identified two IL-2-binding peptides, a 55-kD peptide reactive with the anti-Tac monoclonal antibody and a 75-kD non-Tac IL-2-binding peptide. Cell lines bearing either the p55 (Tac) or the p75 peptide alone manifested low- to intermediate-affinity IL-2 binding, whereas cell lines bearing both peptides manifested high- and low-affinity receptors. Fusion of cell membranes from low-affinity IL-2-binding cells bearing the Tac peptide alone with membranes from a cell line bearing the p75 peptide alone generated hybrid membranes bearing high-affinity receptors. We propose a multichain model for the high-affinity IL-2-receptor in which both the p55 Tac and the p75 IL-2-binding peptides are associated in a receptor complex. An additional 90–100-kD peptide may also participate in the multi-subunit high-affinity form of the IL-2-receptor. The p75 peptide is the receptor for IL-2 on large granular lymphocytes and is sufficient for the IL-2 activation of these cells. In contrast to resting T cells, the activated T cells in certain neoplasias of mononuclear cells, select autoimmune disorders and in organ allograft rejections express the Tac antigen. Specifically, human T-cell lymphotrophic virus Type I (HTLV-I)-associated adult T-cell leukemia cells constitutively express large numbers of IL-2 Tac receptors. A 42-kD tat protein encoded predominantly by the pX region of HTLV-I may play a role in directly or indirectly increasing the transcription of the 55-kD Tac IL-2-receptor gene. To exploit the fact that IL-2-receptors are present on abnormally activated T cells but not on normal resting cells, clinical trials have been initiated involving patients with neoplastic or autoimmune disorders as well as those receiving organ allografts. These patients are being treated with unmodified anti-Tac, with anti-Tac conjugated to truncated Pseudomonas toxin, with isotopic (212Bi and 90Y) chelates of anti-Tac and with recombinant ‘humanized’ anti-Tac.
Evaluation of prolactin-like activity produced by concanavalin-A stimulated mouse splenocytes

Abstract The prolactin (PRL)-like activity released into synthetic culture medium from concanavalin-A (Con-A)-stimulated mouse splenocytes was bioassayed using 3 H thymidine incorporation into Nb2 lymphoma cells. At low cell density (1.0 × 106 cells/ml medium) Con-A-stimulated splenocytes from Balb/c mice released more PRL-like activity than did splenocytes from normal C 3 H He J mice. This difference was maintained with animals of either sex, and for animals of different ages (1, 3 and 5 months). The strain difference was observed both when splenocytes were cocultured with Nb2 cells, and when postcultured medium from splenocytes was tested. Con-A-stimulated splenocytes also released a substance into the medium which was inhibitory to PRL-induced Nb2 cell proliferation. The concentration of the inhibitory substance in the medium was related to the number of splenocytes in culture and was similar in splenocyte media preparations from both strains of mice. Polyclonal antisera to bovine PRL, rat PRL, mouse placental lactogen II, and mouse PRL did not neutralize the effect of Con-A-stimulated splenocytes to induce Nb2 cell proliferation. Bioassay of the partially purified PRL-like activity found in postcultured medium indicated that the dose-dependent induction of Nb2 cell proliferation was parallel with that of purified mPRL. Using two mouse PRL antisera (Sinha and Talamantes #118) in Western blot analyses, no antibody binding was observed to the partially-purified splenocyte PRL-like material. The data from the antisera neutralization experiments and the SDS/PAGE Western blot analyses clearly indicated that the PRL-like activity produced by Con-A-stimulated splenocytes has little homology with pituitary PRL. Further studies are required to establish the precise molecular identity of the PRL-like activity from Con-Astimulated splenocytes.
Functional classification of swine manure management systems based on effluent and gas emission characteristics.

Gaseous emissions from swine (Sus scrofa) manure storage systems represent a concern to air quality due to the potential effects of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, and volatile organic compounds on environmental quality and human health. The lack of knowledge concerning functional aspects of swine manure management systems has been a major obstacle in the development and optimization of emission abatement technologies for these point sources. In this study, a classification system based on gas emission characteristics and effluent concentrations of total phosphorus (P) and total sulfur (S) was devised and tested on 29 swine manure management systems in Iowa, Oklahoma, and North Carolina in an effort to elucidate functional characteristics of these systems. Four swine manure management system classes were identified that differed in effluent concentrations of P and S, methane (CH 4 ) emission rate, odor intensity, and air concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Odor intensity and the concentration of VOCs in air emitted from swine manure management systems were strongly correlated (r 2 = 0.88). The concentration of VOC in air samples was highest with outdoor swine manure management systems that received a high input of volatile solids (Type 2). These systems were also shown to have the highest odor intensity levels. The emission rate for VOCs and the odor intensity associated with swine manure management systems were inversely correlated with CH 4 and ammonia (NH 3 ) emission rates. The emission rates of CH 4 , NH 3 , and VOCs were found to be dependent upon manure loading rate and were indirectly influenced by animal numbers.
Lymphatic vessel density is significantly increased in melanoma

Background: Melanoma is well known for its ability to involve regional lymph nodes in the early stage. However, the presence of lymphangiogenesis in melanoma is still controversial due to lack of lymphatic-specific markers. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra- and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (LVD) using a novel lymphatic vessel-specific marker D2-40 and compare it to general vessel density (GVD) as determined by CD31 immunostaining in a series of melanocytic lesions. Methods: The intra- and peritumoral GVD and LVD were examined by immunohistochemistry using D2-40 and CD31 antibodies in a series of melanocytic lesions. Results: We found significantly higher intratumoral LVD in melanomas as compared to either common acquired or dysplastic nevi (p < 0.01). Although peritumoral LVD in melanoma and malignant melanoma in situ was higher compared to nevi, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.059). There was no significant difference in GVD among the various groups of melanocytic lesions. Conclusions: Our results show that intratumoral LVD is significantly increased in melanomas compared to benign nevi. The higher intratumoral lymphatic density in invasive melanomas suggests that melanoma cells might promote lymphangiogenesis. In addition, assessment of intratumoral LVD may be potentially useful in the differential diagnosis of melanocytic lesions.
An estimation method for the relative phase parameters of complex wavelet coefficients in noise

This paper proposes a method to estimate the parameters of the relative phase probability density function (RP pdf) of the complex coefficients when the image is corrupted by additive white Gaussian noise. With the complex Gaussian scale mixture (CGSM) assumption of the clean coefficients, we first introduce the relative phase mixture pdf (RPM pdf) by deriving the pdf of the relative phase of the noisy coefficients. Along with the derived pdf, the estimation method based on the maximum likelihood approach is proposed by exploiting the relationships between the RP pdf's parameters and the complex covariance matrix of the corresponding complex coefficient vector. The experiments using the simulated data and the data extracted from the real images are performed to show the effectiveness of the estimation method. The results show that the proposed method can well estimate the RP pdf's parameters of the clean vector in the case of simulated data and fit well with the histogram of phase samples extracted from the real images.
An 18-Year-Old Man With Bilateral Violaceous Cervical Adenopathy

An 18-year-old Hispanicman residing in Los Angeles, California, presented with bilateral masses at the base of his neck, which he had for 2 months. The left-sided mass had been spontaneously draining straw-colored fluid for 5days. Threemonthsprior topresentation, hehad receivedadiagnosis of pneumonia; his condition improvedafter a courseof azithromycin. He denied ever having a fever, weight loss, contact with any sick persons, or sexual activity; using illicit drugs; or traveling outside of southern California. Examination revealedmildly tender, fluctuantmassesat thebaseofhisneck, eachmeasuring 4 cm in diameter (Figure, A). Laboratory values included awhite blood cell count of 13/μL (to convert to ×109 per liter, multiply by 0.001) (69% neutrophils, 21% lymphocytes, and 2.3% eosinophils [toconvert toproportionof 1.0,multiplyby0.01]), a hemoglobin level of 12.3 g/dL (to convert togramsper liter,multiplyby 10.0), andaplatelet countof337 × 103/μL (toconvert to×109per liter,multiplyby 1.0). The resultsof a screeningantibody test forhuman immunodeficiencyvirus and of aMantoux tuberculin skin testwere negative. A chest radiograph revealed bilateral hilar adenopathy (Figure, B). An excisional lymph node biopsy of the left-sided mass was performed (Figure, C). Quiz at jamapediatrics.com A
Studies on Pasteurized and Commercially Sterilized Poultry Meat Bologna. Effects of Chopping Condition and Type of Meat

Poultry meat bologna has been studied under two systems of heat processing, pasteurizing and commercial sterilizing in cans. Mechanically deboned turkey meat was chopped (1) from the tempered state, (2) after thawing, refreezing and tempering, (3) after thawing. Treatments 1 and 2 resulted in reduction in cooking loss, while treatment 1 gave a firmer textured product, as measured by shear value but not by taste panel. Turkey meat was compared with spent Leghorn laying fowl meat, and mechanically deboned meat with manually deboned meat. Bologna made from mechanically deboned laying fowl had the highest cooking loss. Laying fowl bologna was firmer textured than turkey bologna, and manually deboned meat bologna was firmer than MDM bologna by both shear value and taste panel measuremnts.
2-AFC observer study of digital stereomammography

A two-alternative forced choice (2-AFC) observer study has been performed to estimate the dose needed for detection of small cancers by digital stereomammography compared to projection mammography. Monoscopic and stereoscopic images simulating 4 different values of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were interleaved and repeated for 3 different object diameters. Five hundred images per condition were read by 4 observers and the fraction of correct answers and the corresponding d' as a function of condition were calculated. Preliminary results indicate that stereoscopy could be performed at 1.5+/-0.2 times the dose of monoscopic viewing. In our previous contrast-detail (C-d) study, we observed a factor of 1.1+/-0.1. The two experiments differ in target properties and decision tasks. In the C-d experiment, the viewer was asked to determine whether suprathreshold objects with an SNR of 5-6 were visualized in terms of a well defined edge and shape. In the 2-AFC experiment, the viewer was asked to detect an object at the limits of visibility (SNR range of 1 to 3). Experiments to elucidate the differences in observer performance are planned.
Complex prolactin crosstalk in breast cancer: New therapeutic implications

The contributions of prolactin (PRL) to breast cancer are becoming increasingly recognized. To better understand the role for PRL in this disease, its interactions with other oncogenic growth factors and hormones must be characterized. Here, we review our current understanding of PRL crosstalk with other mammary oncogenic factors, including estrogen, epidermal growth factor (EGF) family members, and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). The ability of PRL to potentiate the actions of these targets of highly successful endocrine and molecular therapies suggests that PRL and/or its receptor (PRLR) may be an attractive therapeutic target(s). We discuss the potential benefit of PRL/PRLR-targeted therapy in combination with established therapies and implications for de novo and acquired resistance to treatment.
Towards geometric 3D mapping of outdoor environments using mobile robots

This paper presents an approach to generating compact 3D maps of urban environments using mobile robots and laser range finders. Our algorithm extracts planar information from 3D point cloud maps. The planar representation is very efficient for representing building structures in urban environments when a high level of detail is not required. We also present preliminary results on 3D geometric mapping with incomplete data. Based on previously known models and incomplete data, our system is able to estimate parts of buildings which have never been seen before. As validation, we present experimental results using a Segway RMP vehicle in two environments, both approximately the size of a city block.
Effect of High Phosphorus Intake on Sr85 Excretions in Man.

SummaryThe effect of high phosphorus intake on radiostrontium absorption was investigated in 6 patients. Two of these were studied during low calcium diet, 2 during high calcium intake, and 2 patients during low and high calcium intake. Addition of phosphorus to the diet led to a decrease in Sr85 absorption in 3 of the 4 patients each studied during low and high calcium intake, respectively. Urinary Sr85 excretion and urinary calcium excretion were decreased during high phosphorus intake in both the low and high calcium studies.The authors wish to thank Mrs. Vernice Vankin-scott, Head Nurse, Metabolic Research Unit, for most valuable assistance in this study.
Trapped Coronal Magnetogravity Modes

Theoretical analyses suggest a physical scenario for the trapping of coronal magnetogravity wave modes above the solar transition region. The shortest oscillation period of coronal magnetogravity modes should be longer than about 1.5 hours. These long-period modes may be responsible for the unexpected low-frequency (1 to 140 microhertz) discrete modes recently discovered in interplanetary charged particle fluxes and magnetic field fluctuations. If the detected modes are caused by these magnetogravity modes rather than by gravity-mode oscillations in the solar interior, then the solar corona and the transition region may be probed from an entirely new perspective by helioseismological techniques. These coronal magnetogravity modes could reveal clues to the heating and dynamics of the solar corona.
Long-Term Rate of Change in Memory Functioning Before and After Stroke Onset

Background and Purpose—Memory impairment is a predictor and a consequence of stroke, but memory decline is common even in healthy elderly individuals. We compared the long-term trajectory of memory functioning before and after stroke with memory change in stroke-free elderly individuals. Methods—Health and Retirement Study participants aged 50 years and older (n=17 340) with no stroke history at baseline were interviewed biennially up to 10 years for first self-reported or proxy-reported stroke (n=1574). Age-, sex-, and race-adjusted segmented linear regression models were used to compare annual rates of change in a composite memory score before and after stroke among 3 groups: 1189 stroke survivors; 385 stroke decedents; and 15 766 cohort members who remained stroke-free. Results—Before stroke onset, individuals who later survived stroke had significantly (P<0.001) faster average annual rates of memory decline (−0.143 points per year) than those who remained stroke-free throughout follow-up (−0.101 point...
A symbolic system for computer-aided development of surface interpolants

Abstract : The design and implementation of a symbolic input and computation package and its application to the development of several new surface interpolation schemes are described. Capabilities such as the composition of operators and symbolic differentiation have been incorporated into the system. This allows, in particular, the specification of boolean sum projectors. The new schemes which have been implemented include an interpolant to randomly spaced data and a 'shape operator' which has quadratic precision. (Author)
Who Becomes a Terrorist?: Poverty, Education, and the Origins of Political Violence

Many studies of the social backgrounds of terrorists have found that they are wealthier and better educated than the population from which they are drawn. However, studies of political behavior have shown that all forms of political involvement are correlated with socioeconomic status. Among those who are politically active, opportunity costs may lead those involved in nonviolent activities to have a higher social status than violent individuals with a similar ideological orientation. This article develops a theory of participation in violence that incorporates both opportunity costs and informational barriers to participation and tests it by comparing violent and nonviolent political activists involved in the anticolonial agitation in Bengal (1906–39) using data from their police files. While the Bengali terrorists are better educated and have higher status jobs than the population average, they are less educated and less wealthy than the nonviolent activists. These results suggest that socioeconomic status may play a substantial negative role in terrorist recruitment within elites.
Conditional Monte Carlo randomization tests for regression models.

We discuss the computation of randomization tests for clinical trials of two treatments when the primary outcome is based on a regression model. We begin by revisiting the seminal paper of Gail, Tan, and Piantadosi (1988), and then describe a method based on Monte Carlo generation of randomization sequences. The tests based on this Monte Carlo procedure are design-based, in that they incorporate the particular randomization procedure used. We discuss permuted block designs, complete randomization, and biased coin designs. We also use a new technique by Plamadeala and Rosenberger (2012) for simple computation of conditional randomization tests. Like Gail, Tan, and Piantadosi, we focus on residuals from generalized linear models and martingale residuals from survival models. Such techniques do not apply to longitudinal data analysis, and we introduce a method for computation of randomization tests based on the predicted rate of change from a generalized linear mixed model when outcomes are longitudinal. We show, by simulation, that these randomization tests preserve the size and power well under model misspecification.
Large Eddy Simulation of Atmospheric Convective Boundary Layer with Realistic Environmental Forcings

Initializing large eddy simulations (LES) in meteorological applications typically involves prescribing an idealized background atmospheric environment in which simulations are run. This study investigates LES initialization options using realistic atmospheric environmental forcings. Analysis of several simulated convective boundary layer (CBL) cases highlights common sources of initialization-related errors in LES predictions of CBL structure and evolution as compared to observational data. Effects of initialization errors on simulated features of the CBL for different evolution patterns of daytime environmental atmospheric flow are analyzed. Possible approaches toward dynamic adjustment of environmental parameters in LES of atmospheric boundary layer flows are suggested.
Indestructibility, strong compactness, and level by level equivalence

We show the relative consistency of the existence of two strongly compact cardinals •1 and •2 which exhibit indestructibility properties for their strong compactness, together with level by level equivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness holding at all measurable cardinals except for •1. In the model constructed, •1’s strong compactness is indestructible under arbitrary •1-directed closed forcing, •1 is a limit of measurable cardinals, •2’s strong compactness is indestructible under •2-directed closed forcing which is also (•2;1)-distributive, and •2 is fully supercompact.
Ignition of Nanocomposite Thermites by Electric Spark and Shock Wave

Abstract : Nanocomposite 8Al-MoO3 thermite particles were prepared using arrested reactive milling and ignited using two experimental techniques. In spark ignition, a monolayer of powder was placed on a conductive sub- strate and heated in air by a pulsed electrostatic discharge. In shock ignition, an individual particle was targeted by a miniature, laser-driven flyer plate accelerated to a speed in the range of 0.5--2 kms1 In both experiments, time-dependent optical emission produced by the ignited material was monitored and recorded. The heating rates achieved in the present experiments are on the order of 10(exp9-) -10(exp11) Ks(exp-1). These ignition methods result in a very fast combustion with characteristic burn times reduced by 1--3 orders of magnitude compared to the burn times measured previously for the same material ignited in the CO2 laser beam, where it was heated at a much lower rate of about 10(exp6-) -10(exp7) Ks(exp-1). Ignition delays observed in both shock and spark ignition experiments are close to each other and vary in the range of 120--200 ns. The times of characteristic rapid increase in the optical emission of the ignited particles are also close to each other for the two experiments; however, these times are somewhat shorter (less than one mu) for the spark ignition tests compared to few mu observed for the shock initiated particles. Preliminary ideas enabling one to interpret the present results are discussed. This work establishes an approach for systematic studies of high rate ignition and respective combustion of nanocomposite reactive materials.
Distortion of Intracardiac Electrograms Following Defibrillator Shocks for Atrial Tachyarrhythmias

In three patients with a defibrillator system consisting of a Ventak P2 pulse generator and an Endotak C transvenous lead, we observed distortion of intracardiac electrograms following defibrillator shocks for atrial arrhythmias. There was a transient marked widening of the intracardiac ventricular complexes resembling ventricular tachycardia. This phenomenon should be recognized when evaluating arrhythmic episodes.
Dynamic analysis of branching in radical polymerization

A method for the theoretical analysis of branching in radical polymerization is presented which includes the dynamics of the process. In particular, the method is applied to a polymerization that occurs by decomposition of initiator, propagation, termination by radical combination, and chain transfer with polymer. By a numerical solution of the kinetic equations (suitably transformed), the time dependence of the number-average degree of polymerization (DP), the weight-average DP, the mean number of branches, and the monomer conversion are obtained. The parameters of the process, that is the rate coefficients and initial concentrations, have the following effects: (1) An increase in the chain transfer coefficient increases the ratio of weight-average to number-average Xw/Xn and the mean number of branches Xb, but does not change the number-average Xn. (2) For a given value of the chain transfer coefficient, a change in the parameters of the process such that Xn increases, causes Xw/Xn and Xb to increase also. (3) Chain transfer with polymer seems to produce relatively few polymer molecules having many branches and a large number of smaller polymer molecules having no branches; consequently, the polymer size (or molecular weight) distribution broadens.
Early maxillary surgical ciliated cyst after Le Fort I untreated for 20 years: Report of a case

The surgical ciliated cyst of the maxilla (SCCM) is a rare, delayed complication of surgical intervention in the maxilla sinus. It can present several years following surgery, and has been postulated to arise from implantation of the respiratory epithelium during the surgical procedure. In this article, we report the case of a patient with SCCM who presented 20 years following Le Fort I surgery. Previous radiographs showed evidence of a right maxillary cystic lesion as early as 2 years following surgery. We describe the clinical, radiographic and histolopathologic presentation of the entity as well as the surgical management. This case demonstrates maxillary surgical ciliated cyst development with a relatively short latency period and underscores the paucity in understanding of the aetiology, pathophysiology and growth kinetics of this lesion.
Kaluza-Klein monopole in AdS spacetime

We construct analogs of the flat space Kaluza-Klein (KK) monopoles in locally Anti-de Sitter (AdS) spaces for $D \ge 5+1$. We show that, unlike the flat space KK monopole, there is no five dimensional static KK monopole in AdS that smoothly reduces to the flat space one as the cosmological constant goes to zero. Thus, one needs at least two extra dimensions, one of which is compact, to get a static KK monopole in cosmological backgrounds.
Sex and the Migraine Brain

The brain responds differently to environmental and internal signals that relate to the stage of development of neural systems. While genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to a premorbid state, hormonal fluctuations in women may alter the set point of migraine. The cyclic surges of gonadal hormones may directly alter neuronal, glial and astrocyte function throughout the brain. Estrogen is mainly excitatory and progesterone inhibitory on brain neuronal systems. These changes contribute to the allostatic load of the migraine condition that most notably starts at puberty in girls.