cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Survival outcomes in elderly patients with untreated upper aerodigestive tract cancer.

BACKGROUND This study is an evaluation of survival in patients with upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer who did not receive guideline-directed therapy. METHODS The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was examined to identify patients with invasive cancer of the UADT. Patients were classified as "untreated" if they received neither surgery nor radiotherapy. Kaplan-Meier observed survival estimates were computed and stage-specific actuarial estimates of relative survival were computed. RESULTS Of 3589 untreated patients, 13.7% were black, compared to 9.5% white, and 9.2% all other races (p <.0001). Patients with stage IV disease were more likely to be untreated than those with stage I disease (11.9% vs 3.8%; p <.0001). Median survival was 39 months for treated patients and 4 months for untreated patients. CONCLUSION The median survival for untreated patients was 4 months. Stage, race, and primary site were independently associated with untreated status. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 215-218, 2017.
Molecular mechanism of salicylhydrazide class of compounds

A294 Previously, we discovered a salicylhydrazide analogue, SC23, with potent anticancer activity against a broad panel of cancer cell lines in a p53-independent manner. Further mechanistic studies using DNA microarray, mass spectrometry, and real-time PCR revealed that SC23 treatment in breast cancer adenocarcinoma cell line, MDA-MB435, increased DNA, RNA, and protein levels of microtubule-associated protein 4 (MAP4), an essential modulator for microtubule dynamics. Similar stimulation of MAP4 expression by SC23 was also observed in a number of other cancer cell lines, including cell lines derived from colorectal adenocarcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), by immunoblotting. The alteration in MAP4 expression by SC23 prompted us to further examine the protein levels of α-tubulin and β-tubulin. As expected, SC23 slightly enhanced the protein levels of both α-tubulin and β-tubulin. Current studies are undergoing to investigate the possible changes in microtubule polymerization by SC23. During the process of screening SC23 cytotoxicity in different cancer cell lines, we found that two cell lines, HT29 and H1975, harboring p53 R273H mutation showed significant resistance to SC23 with an IC50 value around 50 µM. Consistent with the cytotoxicity data, SC23 also failed to increase the protein levels of MAP4 in H1975 cells. Based on these observations, we concluded that SC23 possesses potent anti-tumor activity in a number of cancer cell lines by stimulating MAP4 expression and, therefore, stabilizing the polymerization of microtubules. Even though the presence or absence of wild-type p53 does not affect the cytotoxicity of SC23, R273H point mutation of p53 alters the sensitivity of H1975 and HT29 to SC23 dramatically and may be one of the factors to modulate the molecular mechanisms of SC23.
Sparsely-sampled hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering microscopy: a theoretical investigation

A hyperspectral image corresponds to a data cube with two spatial dimensions and one spectral dimension. Through linear un-mixing, hyperspectral images can be decomposed into spectral signatures of pure components as well as their concentration maps. Due to this distinct advantage on component identification, hyperspectral imaging becomes a rapidly emerging platform for engineering better medicine and expediting scientific discovery. Among various hyperspectral imaging techniques, hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering (HSRS) microscopy acquires data in a pixel-by-pixel scanning manner. Nevertheless, current image acquisition speed for HSRS is insufficient to capture the dynamics of freely moving subjects. Instead of reducing the pixel dwell time to achieve speed-up, which would inevitably decrease signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), we propose to reduce the total number of sampled pixels. Location of sampled pixels are carefully engineered with triangular wave Lissajous trajectory. Followed by a model-based image in-painting algorithm, the complete data is recovered for linear unmixing. Simulation results show that by careful selection of trajectory, a fill rate as low as 10% is sufficient to generate accurate linear unmixing results. The proposed framework applies to any hyperspectral beam-scanning imaging platform which demands high acquisition speed.
A vascular endothelial growth factor A genetic variant is associated with improved ventricular function and transplant-free survival after surgery for non-syndromic CHD.

Background We have previously shown that the minor alleles of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) single-nucleotide polymorphism rs833069 and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) single-nucleotide polymorphism rs2758331 are both associated with improved transplant-free survival after surgery for CHD in infants, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We hypothesised that one or both of these minor alleles are associated with better systemic ventricular function, resulting in improved survival. Methods This study is a follow-up analysis of 422 non-syndromic CHD patients who underwent neonatal cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Echocardiographic reports were reviewed. Systemic ventricular function was subjectively categorised as normal, or as mildly, moderately, or severely depressed. The change in function was calculated as the change from the preoperative study to the last available study. Stepwise linear regression, adjusting for covariates, was performed for the outcome of change in ventricular function. Model comparison was performed using Akaike's information criterion. Only variables that improved the model prediction of change in systemic ventricular function were retained in the final model. Results Genetic and echocardiographic data were available for 335/422 subjects (79%). Of them, 33 (9.9%) developed worse systemic ventricular function during a mean follow-up period of 13.5 years. After covariate adjustment, the presence of the VEGFA minor allele was associated with preserved ventricular function (p=0.011). Conclusions These data support the hypothesis that the mechanism by which the VEGFA single-nucleotide polymorphism rs833069 minor allele improves survival may be the preservation of ventricular function. Further studies are needed to validate this genotype-phenotype association and to determine whether this mechanism is related to increased vascular endothelial growth factor production.
Comprehensive, blinded assessment of balance in orthostatic tremor

Abstract Introduction Orthostatic Tremor (OT) is a movement disorder characterized by a sensation of unsteadiness and tremors in the 13–18 Hz range present upon standing. The pathophysiology of OT is not well understood but there is a relationship between the sensation of instability and leg tremors. Despite the sensation of unsteadiness, OT patients do not fall often and balance in OT has not been formally assessed. We present a prospective blinded study comparing balance assessment in patients with OT versus healthy controls. Methods We prospectively enrolled 34 surface Electromyography (EMG)-confirmed primary OT subjects and 21 healthy controls. Participants underwent evaluations of balance by blinded physical therapists (PT) with standardized, validated, commonly used balance scales and tasks. Results OT subjects were mostly female (30/34, 88%) and controls were majority males (13/20, 65%). The average age of OT subjects was 68.5 years (range 54–87) and for controls was 69.4 (range 32–86). The average duration of OT symptoms was 18 years. OT subjects did significantly worse on all the balance scales and on most balance tasks including Berg Balance Scale, Functional Gait Assessment, Dynamic Gait Index, Unipedal Stance Test, Functional Reach Test and pull test. Gait speed and five times sit to stand were normal in OT. Conclusions Common validated balance scales are significantly abnormal in primary OT. Despite the objective finding of impaired balance, OT patients do not commonly have falls. The reported sensation of unsteadiness in this patient population seems to be out of proportion to the number of actual falls. Further studies are needed to determine which components of commonly used balance scales are affected by a sensation of unsteadiness and fear of falling.
Argumentation, Communication, and Fallacies. By Frans H. van Eemeren and Rob Grootendorst

(1994). Argumentation, Communication, and Fallacies. By Frans H. van Eemeren and Rob Grootendorst. Argumentation and Advocacy: Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 111-113.
Structure and Properties of Border Sequences in T-DNA Transformation

We have examined the role of the T-DNA border sequences in crown gall tumorigenesis using the binary transformation system (deFramond et al., Bio/Tech. 1, 262–269; Hoekema et al., Nature 303, 179–181). Mini-T plasmids containing single right or left T-DNA border segments were transformationally active, as were those that contained both border segments. In contrast, a mini-T plasmid without any border segment was inactive. The mini-T plasmids containing only the left border segment were much less active than those that contained the right or both border segments. A 25 base-pair (bp) direct repeat (DR) sequence exists at both ends of the T-DNA, within the border segments. We investigated the possibility that the difference in transformation activity between the right and left border segments may be due to the relative positions and/or orientations of their direct repeats to the sequences within the T-DNA core. Transformation studies with mini-T plasmids that reversed the positions and orientations of the border segments showed no changes in the relative activities of the right and left border segments. A mini-T plasmid containing a left border segment interposed between the right border segment and the marker genes was inactive when the left and right 25 bp sequences were in direct repeat. In contrast, an equivalent mini-T plasmid with the left 25 bp repeat inverted relative to the right 25 bp DR was transformationally active. These results indicate that structural differences between the right and left border segments are responsible for their differences in activity; and moreover the difference may be due to a “blocking” activity within the left border segment. We have also dissected the right border segment to determine structures that are critical for transformation activity. Deletions of sequences flanking the left side of the 25 bp DR had no effect on transformation activity. Deletions of parts of the whole of the 25 bp DR resulted in the loss of activity. The right border segment can be replaced by a synthetic 25 bp DR sequence. Such a construct, however, was notably less active than a construct that contained, in addition to the 25 bp DR, sequences up to 1 KB to the right of the DR.
Critically low sodium levels due to concentration gradients formed in patient samples after undergoing a freeze-thaw cycle.

Abstract Background Concentrations gradients that form in plasma as a result of freezing and thawing is a well-known phenomenon. As the water fraction converts into ice, plasma constituents diffuse from the freezing front by natural convection in the liquid phase. This process can lead to erroneous lab results, if the sample is not thoroughly mixed prior to testing. Methods A series of patient samples received at the clinical chemistry core lab were found to have low sodium levels that normalized after tube inversion. We suspected that the samples may have frozen during shipping and therefore examined the effects of freezing and thawing on serum. Results Our investigation revealed that prior to arriving at the core lab, samples from one of our satellite clinics were undergoing a freeze-thaw cycle during shipping, which resulted in the formation of concentration gradients and spurious lab results on arrival. Conclusions Large hospitals that have a central core lab and receive patient samples from satellite clinics need to be aware of this phenomena, which can contribute to erroneous lab results being posted in a patient's electronic medical record, resulting in a misdiagnosis.
The Demise of the Demarcation Problem

We live in a society which sets great store by science. Scientific ‘experts’ play a privileged role in many of our institutions, ranging from the courts of law to the corridors of power. At a more fundamental level, most of us strive to shape our beliefs about the natural world in the ‘scientific’ image. If scientists say that continents move or that the universe is billions of years old, we generally believe them, however counter-intuitive and implausible their claims might appear to be. Equally, we tend to acquiesce in what scientists tell us not to believe. If, for instance, scientists say that Velikovsky was a crank, that the biblical creation story is hokum, that UFOs do not exist, or that acupuncture is ineffective, then we generally make the scientist’s contempt for these things our own, reserving for them those social sanctions and disapprobations which are the just deserts of quacks, charlatans and con-men. In sum, much of our intellectual life, and increasingly large portions of our social and political life, rest on the assumption that we (or, if not we ourselves, then someone whom we trust in these matters) can tell the difference between science and its counterfeit.
How Do We Reconstruct Hunting Patterns in the Past

Since this book is about big-game hunting – and, as will become apparent shortly, scavenging as well – in the distant past, some of my non-paleoanthropologist readers may wonder how, in the absence of written records, we find out what people hunted, and how they went about it, thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of years ago. Hence, before launching into a discussion of why ancient humans hunted big game, it may be useful to take a brief detour here to talk about the principal techniques, approaches, and assumptions that paleoanthropologists use and make to arrive at such reconstructions.
Intent Mining for the Good, Bad, and Ugly Use of Social Web: Concepts, Methods, and Challenges

The social web has empowered us to easily share information, express opinions, and engage in discussions on events around the world. While users of social media platforms often offer help and emotional support to others (the good), they also spam (the bad) and harass others as well as even manipulate others via fake news (the ugly). In order to both leverage the positive effects and mitigate the negative effects of using social media, intent mining provides a computational approach to proactively analyze social media data. This chapter introduces an intent taxonomy of social media usage with examples and describes methods and future challenges to mine the intentional uses of social media.
Will There Still Be a Future When the Museum of the Future Arrives

I’m more worried about the future of our futures than I am worried about the future of our museums.
A Retrospective Review of the Sepsis Definition after Publication of Sepsis-3.

Abstract Background Two and a half years after the introduction of Sepsis-3, clinicians continue not to document Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores. There continue to be variations in what standard is accepted by both commercial payers and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) in diagnosing sepsis. The purpose of this review is to determine if the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3) were being utilized in defining sepsis in the clinical setting. Methods One hundred patients between February 2016 and March 2018 who were diagnosed with sepsis were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of criteria for the diagnosis of sepsis. Data points for SOFA criteria were analyzed. Results None of the septic patients were diagnosed utilizing SOFA scores. Many of the data points were found to not have been collected or measured to complete a SOFA score. Conclusions Due to Sepsis-3 criteria not being accepted by CMS or the Infectious Disease Society of America, along with it not being able to be operationalized for use in the clinical setting, it is recommended to continue utilizing systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria plus infection while Sepsis-3 continues to be evaluated. It will also allow for some time to study any effect it may have on patient outcomes. There is also a need for a uniform definition of sepsis.
The Digital Commons: Tragedy or Opportunity? A Reflection on the 50th Anniversary of Hardin's Tragedy of the Commons

On the 50th anniversary of Garrett Hardin’s “The Tragedy of the Commons”, this article considers the benefits and potential downsides of the digital commons, which emerged well after Hardin wrote his seminal article. Unlike the physical world Hardin wrote about, the digital world is essentially infinitely abundant, which leads to a very different tragedy, and many new opportunities.
Media consumption and crime trend perceptions: a longitudinal analysis

ABSTRACTFor over two decades, despite the downward crime trend, the American public has persisted in believing crime is on the rise. Cultivation theory holds that the media is responsible for the public’s crime trend perceptions. Previous cultivation studies heavily rely on cross-sectional data, which may lead to spurious conclusions due to reverse causation and omitted variable bias. This study aims to address these issues by utilizing longitudinal analyses. Drawing on three waves of the 2008–2009 American National Election Survey, we test the cultivation hypothesis using traditional OLS, OLS with lagged crime trend perceptions, fixed effects, and dynamic panel models. Newspaper and TV news consumption are related to crime trend perceptions in traditional OLS models. In other models, media consumption is not related to crime trend perceptions. The results do not support the cultivation hypothesis. It is likely that the cultivation effect of media has been overstated in the previous cross-sectional research.
Pain assessments in emergency departments lack consistency and validity, and this impacts effective pain management

Commentary on: Sampson FC, Goodacre SW, O’Cathain A. The reality of pain scoring in the emergency department: findings from a multiple case study design. Ann Emerg Med 2019:1–11. Pain scales or tools are a fast, measurable method to objectify the subjective perception of pain. In the emergency department (ED), pain assessments are used for patient triage and assessment for all patients. While routine use of these tools have been shown to improve pain management,1 there is conflicting data …
The distributions of teacher qualification: A cross-national study

Abstract This cross-national study examines how different measures of teacher qualifications are distributed across low-income schools and classrooms. The findings indicate that the magnitude of the exposure rates and gaps to less-qualified teachers between low-SES and high-SES classrooms and schools varies remarkably across 32 OECD countries. On average, within-school distribution accounts for a greater share of the total gaps than between-school distribution, especially when it comes to out-of-field teaching. This study also examines the relationships between national contexts and the distributions of teacher qualifications. The findings suggest that income inequality is negatively associated with within-school exposure gaps to out-of-field reading teachers. The findings from this study support the notion that governments play a critical role in narrowing the gaps of teacher distribution. Specifically, equitable teacher distribution relies on government allocations of teachers more equally between and within schools to better ensure equitable distribution across student socioeconomic status.
K-Prototypes Segmentation Analysis on Large-Scale Ridesourcing Trip Data:

Shared mobility-on-demand services are expanding rapidly in cities around the world. As a prominent example, app-based ridesourcing is becoming an integral part of many urban transportation ecosyst...
Phase- targeted stimulation modulates phase-amplitude coupling in the motor cortex of the human brain.

Abstract Background Phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) in which the amplitude of a faster field potential oscillation is coupled to the phase of a slower rhythm, is one of the most well-studied interactions between oscillations at different frequency bands. In a healthy brain, PAC accompanies cognitive functions such as learning and memory, and changes in PAC have been associated with neurological diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD), schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy. Objective /Hypothesis: In PD, normalization of PAC in the motor cortex has been reported in the context of effective treatments such as dopamine replacement therapy and deep brain stimulation (DBS), but the possibility of normalizing PAC through intervention at the cortex has not been shown in humans. Phase-targeted stimulation (PDS) has a strong potential to modulate PAC levels and potentially normalize it. Methods We applied stimulation pulses triggered by specific phases of the beta oscillations, the low frequency oscillations that define phase of gamma amplitude in beta-gamma PAC, to the motor cortex of seven PD patients at rest during DBS lead placement surgery We measured the effect on PAC modulation in the motor cortex relative to stimulation-free periods. Results We describe a system for phase-targeted stimulation locked to specific phases of a continuously updated slow local field potential oscillation (in this case, beta band oscillations) prediction. Stimulation locked to the phase of the peak of beta oscillations increased beta-gamma coupling both during and after stimulation in the motor cortex, and the opposite phase (trough) stimulation reduced the magnitude of coupling after stimulation. Conclusion These results demonstrate the capacity of cortical phase-targeted stimulation to modulate PAC without evoking motor activation, which could allow applications in the treatment of neurological disorders associated with abnormal PAC, such as PD.
Molecular and Physiological Basis of Colour Pattern Formation

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the recent developments for making understanding of the molecular, developmental and physiological mechanism of color pattern formation to place these in the context of antecedent work. The evolution of color patterns can be viewed as two separate questions: the evolution of pigment synthesis pathways and the evolution of patterned synthesis of those pigments. Thus, pattern evolution can be readily associated with the evolution of specific and easy to understand developmental mechanisms. Insect color patterns are particularly suitable for the study of the mechanisms of pattern formation because two-dimensional in nature. The two-dimensionality arises from the fact that color is a feature of the integument that is a two-layered structure composed of a monolayer of epidermal cells that secrete the non-living overlying cuticle. The fundamental problem of developmental biology is how a pattern arises in an initially homogeneous, undifferentiated, field of cells. This is often described as the process of determination by which the developmental fate of a subset of cells in the population becomes restricted.
The PCB level ESD immunity study by using 3 dimension ESD scan system

The use of high-speed logic makes modern electronic systems highly susceptible to electrostatic discharge (ESD). Because of their wider bandwidth, faster digital devices are more susceptible to high frequency ESD transient fields. In the analysis of ESD problems, an exact knowledge of the affected PINs and nets is essential for an optimal solution. A three dimensional ESD scanning system, which has been developed to record the ESD susceptibility map for a printed circuit board, is presented, and the mechanisms that the ESD event couples into the digital devices is studied.
Beta adrenergic blockade in hypertension. Practical and theoretical implications of long-term hemodynamic variations.

The effectiveness of propranolol, used alone, in reducing arterial pressure was reevaluated in 52 hypertensive patients (42 with essential and 10 with renovascular hypertension) with special regard to the hemodynamic basis for patient selection and the relation of variations in cardiac output to control of blood pressure. Repeated hemodynamic studies were performed before and during chronic treatment with propranolol, and in all the efficacy of beta adrenergic blockade was demonstrated by inhibition of chronotropic response to infusion of isoproterenol. Four patients discontinued propranolol because of side effects; among the rest, arterial pressure was reduced in 26 and unchanged in 22. There was no difference in responsiveness between subjects with essential and renovascular hypertension. Arterial pressure responses could not be predicted from hemodynamic values before treatment; although increased cardiac output was more frequent among responders than among nonresponders (59 vs. 37 percent), group averages were not significantly different. Treatment reduced cardiac output in both groups, so that effect on arterial pressure was related to changes in total peripheral resistance (r = 0.737, P <0.001) not to changes in output (r = 0.067). Thus, the hypertensive effect of propranolol seemed to imply a long-term adaptation of peripheral resistance to chronic reduction of output. The prolonged follow-up and repeat studies allowed a hemodynamic characterization of the occasional hypertensive responses to office visits and investigative procedures. These transient responses were not prevented during treatment although their hemodynamic basis was altered so that they were always related to increased peripheral resistance. Used in combination with other antihypertensive agents (12 patients), administration of propranolol nearly always controlled any tachycardia due to or persisting despite the other drugs and often improved the response of blood pressure.
Development and Characterization of High-Affinity Anti-Topotecan IgG and Fab Fragments

Anti-drug antibodies are increasingly being used within an inverse targeting strategy to increase the pharmacokinetic and therapeutic selectivity of intraperitoneal (i.p.) chemotherapy. The anti-topotecan (TPT) antibodies have demonstrated high affinity and sufficient purity for use in evaluating their use in “inverse targeting” strategies to optimize TPT i.p. chemotherapy. This article describes the development of hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies against TPT, and the production, purification, characterization, and pharmacokinetics of an anti-TPT monoclonal antibody and of monoclonal anti-TPT Fab fragments. Keywords: anti-topotecan (TPT) antibodies; intraperitoneal chemotherapy; inverse targeting; pharmacokinetics
Prenatal methadone exposure, meconium biomarker concentrations and neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Aims Methadone is standard pharmacotherapy for opioid-dependent pregnant women, yet the relationship between maternal methadone dose and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) severity is still unclear. This research evaluated whether quantification of fetal methadone and drug exposure via meconium would reflect maternal dose and predict neonatal outcomes. Design Prospective clinical study. Setting An urban drug treatment facility treating pregnant and post-partum women and their children. Participants Forty-nine opioid-dependent pregnant women received 30–110 mg methadone daily. Measurements Maternal methadone dose, infant birth parameters and NAS assessments were extracted from medical records. Thrice-weekly urine specimens were screened for opioids and cocaine. Newborn meconium specimens were quantified for methadone, opioid, cocaine and tobacco biomarkers. Findings There was no relationship between meconium methadone concentrations, presence of opioids, cocaine and/or tobacco in meconium, maternal methadone dose or NAS severity. Opioid and cocaine were also found in 36.7 and 38.8 of meconium specimens, respectively, and were associated with positive urine specimens in the third trimester. The presence of opioids other than methadone in meconium correlated with increased rates of preterm birth, longer infant hospital stays and decreased maternal time in drug treatment. Conclusions Methadone and its metabolite 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP) concentrations in meconium did not predict infant birth parameters or NAS severity. Prospective urine testing defined meconium drug detection windows for opiates and cocaine as 3 months, rather than the currently accepted 6 months. The presence of opioids in meconium could be used as a biomarker for infants at elevated risk in the newborn period.
Self-reported Voice-related Quality of Life in Adolescents With Paradoxical Vocal Fold Dysfunction

Paradoxical vocal fold dysfunction (PVFD) is a complex disorder of the larynx that primarily affects breathing. To date, no study has focused on the patient's own perception of how their quality of life related to voice is affected by the diagnosis of PFVD. The objective of this study is to characterize the self-reported voice-related quality of life (VR-QOL) patients diagnosed with PVFD using the Pediatric Voice Outcomes Survey (PVOS) instrument; an additional objective was to assess for the presence of any associations between laryngeal findings, concomitant medical disorders, and PVOS measures. The method used was a retrospective chart review. Twenty patients are identified in the study period; there were 17 females (mean age 14 years) and three males (mean age 11 years). The mean PVOS scores are uniformly normal for the subset of boys (n=3, mean PVOS 100). The mean PVOS for the 17 females was 89 (SD, 12.8), lower than that measured in healthy, age-matched females (n=13) who had a mean PVOS of 95 (SD, 7.4). The difference between these two groups was not statistically significant (P<0.17, unpaired t test). Although the absolute PVOS scores were affected by observed laryngeal abnormalities, asthma history, or reflux history, the absence of any of these were significantly more likely to be associated with a perfect score on the PVOS. The overall PVOS does not show a significant decline in the self-reported VR-QOL. Several cofactors may be associated with the detectable but not significant reduction in the PVOS scores for the females in this study.
Interaction between penetration sites in diffusion through thin membranes

Two models of permeation through thin membranes are proposed: In the first, the membrane is represented as a plate with randomly distributed perforations, and the permeation rate is controlled by the rate at which penetrant diffuses through an external medium; in the second, the penetrant is considered to be adsorbed on one face of the membrane, and the rate controlling process is lateral diffusion across that face to a set of randomly distributed penetration sites. These models are treated by a self−consistent field procedure, and it appears that interaction between penetration sites influences the permeability significantly even when the number of penetration sites per unit area is quite low.
AC Measurements on Hard Superconductors

Cylindrical samples of PbIn, NbZr, and NbTa were exposed to a longitudinal, static magnetic field with a collinear alternating field, and the voltages produced in pick up coils wound around the samples were observed on an oscilloscope. The shape of the voltage-time curves can be adequately explained by considering a surface sheath which is able to carry a certain critical surface current and a bulk region where the pinning forces dominate the magnetic behavior. It is shown that an analysis of the voltage-time curves obtained yields values for the critical surface current and the bulk critical current density which are in good agreement with static measurements. While the bulk critical current density goes to zero when the external field reaches the upper critical field Hc2, the surface currents can be seen up to a field Hc3 > Hc2. Values of the bulk critical current density obtained were then used to determine the pinning force per unit volume and the pinning force on a single vortex line, as a function of the vortex line density. Es werden Messungen an zylindrischen Proben aus PbIn-, NbZr- und NbTa-Legierungen in einem stationaren longitudinalen Magnetfeld, dem ein Wechselfeld uberlagert ist, beschrieben. Die durch das Wechselfeld hervorgerufenen Flusanderungen werden mittels einer die Probe umgebenden Spule oszillographisch aufgezeichnet. Der zeitliche Verlauf der in der Spule induzierten Spannung kann zufriedenstellend durch die Annahme des folgenden Modells erklart werden. Der harte Supraleiter besteht aus einem Kern, dessen Verhalten hauptsachlich durch die Verankerungskrafte (pinning forces) bestimmt wird. Dieser Kern ist von einer Oberflachenschicht umgeben, die imstande ist, einen bestimmten Suprastrom zu fuhren und dadurch das Innere des Supraleiters innerhalb bestimmter Grenzen gegen Anderungen des Ausenfeldes abzuschirmen. Die Auswertung der experimentell erhaltenen Kurven gibt kritische Stromdichten, die in guter Ubereinstimmung mit statischen Messungen sind. Die so bestimmten Werte der kritischen Stromdichte werden benutzt, um die Abhangigkeit der Verankerungskrafte von der Dichte der Fluslinien zu bestimmen.
Conversion Gain Measurement of an LMDS Transmitter

Microwave transmitters are essential elements in future LMDS systems. Conversion gain of an LMDS transmitter is an important parameter which establishes basic functionality and system performance. This paper presents a real-time conversion gain measurement technique utilizing swept scalar analysis and compares the results with a traditional discrete point method. The new scalar technique overcomes measurement obstacles such as an inaccessible local oscillator and a non-insertable DUT.
Using an integrated model learning system to construct the model base of a decision support system

The Model Base Management System (MBMS) in a Decision Support System (DSS) has become increasingly important in handling complicated decision problems. Traditionally, models are retrieved from the human experts. This approach has the disadvantages of low productivity and being subjective by different individuals. Although recent research projects include how to apply Artificial Intelligence approaches to automatic model retrieval, none of them provides an efficient and effective way to produce large-scale complicated models. In this article, an Integrated Model Learning System is introduced to learn new models from model instances. This system basically uses the Multiple Instance Explanation Based Generalization (miEBG) approach which is a modification of the Multiple Explanation Based Generalization (mEBG) approach to explain and generalize model instances by the Domain Theory. Different from other machine learning approaches, this approach takes advantages of using the Domain Theory to learn multiple explanation trees from instances, and then combines all trees to form a complete explanation tree which will be generalized into a useful model. In general, this approach provides the Model Base Management System an automatic way to retrieve new and more complete models from related instances in a self-learning fashion.
Fracture Toughness Requirements for Highway Bridges: Past and Future Trends

Fracture toughness requirements were implemented for bridge steels during the early 1970s. The philosophy behind these requirements was to provide sufficient material toughness to prevent lower-shelf, brittle fracture at service temperatures and load rates experienced by bridges. These requirements do no alone prevent fracture, and designers must also consider proper fatigue design, fabrication quality control, and routine in-service inspection to insure structural safety. This fractural control plan has been effective in preventing brittle fracture in most cases, but when any aspect of the plan is not performed correctly, fracture failure still can occur in bridges. There have been significant advances in steel making practice since the 1970s, and new grades of high performance steel (HPS) are available with vastly superior toughness compared to conventional steels.
Application of the case method in medical student radiology education.

Rationale and Objectives Our goal is to design, implement, and evaluate a rich educational activity to engage medical students in learning the importance of providing clinical histories when ordering radiological examinations. We adapted the format of the case method commonly used in business schools. Materials and Methods In the setting of a 1-week required radiology course offered during the third year of medical school, we created an unknown case assignment consisting of two chest radiographs and a concise history for three- to four-person study teams. Unknown to students, each team received the same images, but different patient histories. After turning in their written analyses, students had a classroom opportunity to discuss their conclusions. A written evaluation of the entire experience using both Likert items and unstructured response items was conducted at the end of each session. Results The evaluation was conducted during a 17-month period, and 141 evaluations were received from students. The response rate was 100%. Most teams met several times and worked on the assignment for 2 or 3 hours. Students agreed that the learning experience was worthwhile (95%), content was appropriate (93%), and the activity should be continued for subsequent classes (94%). Unstructured responses indicated that students learned the importance of clinical histories in the interpretation of radiological studies. Conclusion An educational activity based on the case method was well received by students and met its educational objectives. Activities of this type have potential for widespread application in radiology education.
Occult appendiceal abscess complicating cystic fibrosis.

Abstract Three case histories illustrate the diagnostic dilemma encountered whenever a patient with CF who is receiving antibiotics is evaluated for abdominal pain. Although acute appendicitis with perforation and abscess formation is not a common complication of CF, it occurs more frequently than is generally appreciated. The large number of abdominal situations in CF which can cause pain confused with but not typical of acute appendicitis are contributing factors in the misdiagnosis of the early stages of acute appendicitis. The true underlying condition is further masked by the concurrent use of antibiotics for pulmonary infection. A higher index of suspicion is needed to rule out acute appendicitis in a patient with cystic fibrosis and abdominal pain. A greater awareness of the possibility of occult appendiceal abscess may help to avoid this complication.
A convenient, non-hydrating electrolyte medium for the measurement of electrodermal activity.

Two experiments with 12 subjects each compared electrodermal recordings taken simultaneously with four different electrolyte media. These were polyethylene glycol, Unibase/glycol, Unibase, and hydrated agar (i.e., a site recorded with agar electrolyte after presoaking it with water). The primary purpose was to compare the electrolyte containing a mixture of Unibase/glycol with the other electrolytes. The glycol and the hydrated agar were assumed to reflect low and high levels of epidermal hydration, respectively, while Unibase provided a comparison with Unibase alone. These comparisons were made for positive SPRs and rapid recovery SCRs (and their associated prestimulus levels), which are believed to reflect the endosomatic and exosomatic manifestations of the epidermal membrane response. Unibase/glycol was quite similar to glycol alone; thus it offers a more convenient electrolyte for use when minimal hydration is required. The results were interpreted as indicating that Unibase/glycol is preferable for skin potential recordings, while Unibase is to be preferred for skin conductance recordings.
Microglia, but not astrocytes, react to sciatic nerve injury in aging rats

Peripheral nerve axotomy activates microglia and astrocytes within regions of brainstem or spinal cord from which the nerve arises. The present study demonstrates that unilateral sciatic axotomy in rats 2 to 18 months of age results in differing responses with age between these two glial populations. By 4 days postaxotomy, both astrocytes and microglia become activated in 2-month-old rats, whereas only the microglial population shows evidence of activation in rats 8 to 18 months of age.
I. On a new method of measuring the mean height of the ozone in the atmosphere

The amoun t of ozone overhead in the s tratosphere varies from about I to 4 mm. when represented as a layer of pure gas reduced to normal t empera ture and pressure. Ozone present in such a small amount , compared with the other a tmospheric gases (see Table I), would not seem to be an impor tan t consti tuent . On the contrary, it is very impor tant in astrophysics, meteorology, geophysics and biology because of its absorption of ultraviolet light to produce the short wavelength limit for the spect rum of the sun and other astronomical bodies at ~ 3000 A. In a paper on atmospheric ozone, Ladenburg 1 writes, " W i t h o u t the presence of ozone in the stratosphere, life on ear th would not exist in its present form. The ultraviolet radiation from the sun exerts strong physiological effects upon every organism, as for example formation of erythems, destruct ion of bacteria, product ion of vitamins. The very shortest wavelengths of the sun have the greatest effect on the human skin. Small changes of the intensity of the sun in this region of the spectrum are biologically very (significant). These facts account for the wide interest and the general importance of the s tudy of the atmospheric ozone." The absorption which makes the atmosphere entirely opaque at wavelengths less than 2913 A is due to the Hart ley ozone band. Partial absorption by this Hart ley band extends to the Huggins bands which occupy the spectral region from 3200 to 3300 A. There is also significant ozone absorption in the visible spectrum by the Chappius bands. The Hart ley and Huggins bands have been employed by
Forward and backward seeded continuous-wave Raman fiber amplifiers based on multimode fibers

We report on the performance of seeded Raman fiber amplifiers based on multimode gradient index fiber. The "beam cleanup" improvement in beam quality of the Stokes beam over that of input pump beam (previously observed in unseeded fiber amplifier geometries using stimulated Raman scattering in multimode graded index fiber) is shown here to be limited by the beam quality of the input seed beam for seeded amplifier configurations. The amplifiers are characterized in terms of their capacity for beam-cleanup, their ability to amplify the seed and in terms of their output spectra. The advantages and disadvantages of a backward-pumped geometry versus a forward-pumped geometry are discussed. Depending on the geometry, amplified power can be readily distributed to a cascade of Stokes frequencies (unseeded forward-pumped geometry) or can be mostly contained in the seed frequency (seeded backward-pumped geometry).
The Prefactor of Fractal Aggregates

The prefactork0of the fractal aggregate scaling relationshipN=k0(Rg/a)Dfis determined for both Diffusion Limited and Diffusion Limited Cluster Aggregation processes in spatial dimensions of 2, 3, 4, and 5. For the physically relevant case of DLCA aggregates in three dimensions we findk0= 1.19 ± 0.1 whenDf= 1.82 ± 0.04. Comparison of all aggregation types shows that the prefactork0displays uniform trends with the fractal dimensionDf. Attempts to explain these trends are made based on either a common smallNlimit for all clusters or the packing of spheres in space.
Regulation through titling laws: A case study of occupational regulation

This case study examines a form of occupational regulation infrequently examined in academic literature – titling laws. These laws regulate who may legally use a phrase, or title, to describe their work to the public. Focusing on the interior design industry, this article demonstrates how industry leaders use titling laws as the first step in a push for full occupational licensure. In so doing, they allege a need for regulation out of concern for public health and safety, but as data in this case study indicate, there appears to be no threat to public health and safety from unregulated interior designers. Instead, designers advocate for increased regulation of their own industry, through the evolution of titling laws to full licensure, due to the benefits it affords them.
Brain metastasis in two patients with stage IA papillary serous carcinoma of the uterus

We report two cases of brain metastasis in patients initially diagnosed with extremely early stage UPSC after extensive staging surgery. They did not receive either adjuvant chemotherapy or adjuvant pelvic or vaginal cuff radiation. At the same time that these patients were diagnosed with systemic metastasis, they both had a local “drop” metastasis in the vulva or the vaginal cuff. After the initial response to palliative chemotherapy, they both developed brain metastasis. The pattern of recurrence with the lack of adjuvant treatment underscores the urgent need in further evaluation of the potential benefits of adjuvant treatment, including chemotherapy and possibly in combination with radiation in this highly aggressive disease.
Excretion and disposition of [14C]carbaryl in pregnant, non-pregnant and foetal tissues of the rat after acute administration.

1. Non-pregnant or pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats on the 18th and 19th days of gestation were injected i.p. with a tracer dose (2.8 μCi/kg) of either [ring-14C]carbaryl or [carbonyl-14C]carbaryl. Distribution of total 14C was examined in foetal, maternal and nonpregnant rat tissues. Pregnancy alters the disposition and excretion of carbaryl.2. Carbaryl crossed the placenta and was rapidly distributed in all foetal tissues. Highest concentrations were seen in foetal kidney. At 8h after injection, foetal brain, heart and lung all contained more 14C, on a weight basis, than their maternal organ counterparts. Elimination from the whole foetus was biphasic, and after 8h approx. 3% of the dose was still present in the whole foetus.3. Significantly more 14CO2 was exhaled by the pregnant rat during 8h than by nonpregnant. Urinary excretion of 14C after dosage with [ring-14C]carbaryl was significantly less in pregnant than in non-pregnant rats.4. Kinetically, the tissue distribution of 14C from carbaryl or metabolit...
Using proxies for OOV keywords in the keyword search task

We propose a simple but effective weighted finite state transducer (WFST) based framework for handling out-of-vocabulary (OOV) keywords in a speech search task. State-of-the-art large vocabulary continuous speech recognition (LVCSR) and keyword search (KWS) systems are developed for conversational telephone speech in Tagalog. Word-based and phone-based indexes are created from word lattices, the latter by using the LVCSR system's pronunciation lexicon. Pronunciations of OOV keywords are hypothesized via a standard grapheme-to-phoneme method. In-vocabulary proxies (word or phone sequences) are generated for each OOV keyword using WFST techniques that permit incorporation of a phone confusion matrix. Empirical results when searching for the Babel/NIST evaluation keywords in the Babel 10 hour development-test speech collection show that (i) searching for word proxies in the word index significantly outperforms searching for phonetic representations of OOV words in a phone index, and (ii) while phone confusion information yields minor improvement when searching a phone index, it yields up to 40% improvement in actual term weighted value when searching a word index with word proxies.