cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in leukemia incidence and survival in the United States (1973–1998)

BACKGROUND It is estimated that each year, approximately 30,800 individuals will be diagnosed with leukemia in the United States and 21,700 individuals will die of the disease. Although the overall incidence of leukemia has been declining in the United States, recent reports suggest that incidence rates may be increasing for certain age and racial groups. METHODS Leukemia incidence (including acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL], acute myeloid leukemia [AML], chronic myeloid leukemia [CML], and chronic lymphoblastic leukemia [CLL]) and 5-year survival rates were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Specific rates for age (birth–19, 20–44, 45–64, and 65 + years), gender, and race (black, white) were also examined. RESULTS A total of 66,404 cases of leukemia were identified for the period 1973–1998 in the nine reporting SEER sites. For children younger than 20 years old, the overall incidence rate of leukemia increased significantly (estimated annual percent change [EAPC] = 0.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.1–0.9), whereas the rate decreased significantly among the group 65 years and older (EAPC = − 0.3, 95% CI = − 0.5 to − 0.1). Incidence rates for CLL and CML decreased significantly during this time period, whereas incidence rates for AML remained stable. Children younger than 20 years old experienced a 15% increase in the 5-year survival rates for both ALL and AML when comparing the two 10-year periods of 1974–1983 and 1984–1993. In contrast, there was little overall improvement in survival for adults 45 years and older. In particular, there was a notable decrease in the overall 5-year survival for blacks older than 65 years and for black males older than 44 years. CONCLUSIONS Although the current study confirmed some of the results noted in other populations, the observed overall decline in leukemia survival for blacks is surprising and warrants further investigation. Cancer 2003;97:2229–35. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11316
Fever of unknown origin (FUO) in an immunocompetent adult due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) with polyclonal gammopathy

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) may be due to infection, malignancy, collagen vascular/inflammatory disorders, or other causes. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a rare cause of FUO in immunocompetent adults. We present a case of FUO due to CMV in an immunocompetent adult with polyclonal gammopathy on serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP).
Insurance and Library Facilities

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed more than houses and businesses; they destroyed library facilities and collections. Until a disaster occurs, insurance is something that librarians think about only rarely. This article focuses on the insurance awareness of three academic library administrators in Louisiana and Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The authors' intent is to inform readers of the importance of preparedness.
Implementing frequency regulation capability in a solar photovoltaic power plant

Photovoltaic power plants pose some challenges when integrated with the power grid. The PV plants always focus on extracting the maximum power from the arrays. This makes the PV system unavailable for helping in regulating the grid frequency as compared to conventional generators. The objective of this paper is to introduce a pseudo power point tracking which provides frequency regulation functionality to PV systems. This method is fast and helps in creating a reserve which can be utilized for frequency stability. Control technique discussed in this paper allows the control over the amount of active power injected into the grid. This paper also discusses the energy storage option for frequency regulation.
Nitrosylation of myoglobin and nitrosation of cysteine by nitrite in a model system simulating meat curing.

Demand is growing for meat products cured without the addition of sodium nitrite. Instead of the direct addition of nitrite to meat in formulation, nitrite is supplied by bacterial reduction of natural nitrate often added as vegetable juice/powder. However, the rate of nitrite formation in this process is relatively slow, and the total ingoing nitrite is typically less than in conventional curing processes. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the rate of addition of nitrite and the amount of nitrite added on nitrosylation/nitrosation reactions in a model meat curing system. Myoglobin was preferentially nitrosylated as no decrease in sulfhydryl groups was found until maximum nitrosylmyoglobin color was achieved. The cysteine-myoglobin model retained more sulfhydryl groups than the cysteine-only model (p 0.05). These data suggest that the amount of nitrite but not the rate of addition impacts the nitrosylation/nitrosation reactions this system.
Toxicity of 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin to early life stage brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) following parental dietary exposure

The toxicity of 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) to the early life stages of F1 generation brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) was determined, when dosed by maternal transfer. Effects were compared across six treatments, including a control. The experimental groups, based on TCDD concentrations in freshly spawned eggs (control, 41, 84, 156, 285, and 517 pg TCDD per gram egg [wet weight]), were established by treating 1.5-year-old brook trout with TCDD-dosed food throughout the period beginning with final gonadal maturation and continuing until just prior to spawning. Measurement endpoints assessed at various times throughout the study, included (1) TCDD and lipid concentrations in ovaries, eggs, alevins, and juvenile fish, (2) mortality, (3) fertility indices, (4) growth, (5) juvenile sex ratios, (6) pathology, and (7) cytochrome P4501A1 mRNA (CYPIA1) levels in embryos. The cumulative lethality dose response was determined just prior to hatch, at swim-up, and at the end of the study. The concentration in eggs causing 50% mortality (LCegg50) at swim-up and at the end of the study were 138 and 127 pg TCDD per gram egg, respectively. No treatment effects were observed on fertility, growth, or juvenile sex ratios. Pathologies were observed that have been previously reported in TCDD-exposed salmonid embryos, including edema in free embryos from all TCDD-exposed treatment groups at hatch. At the end of the test, juvenile fish from all treatments exhibited an increased prevalence of exophthalmia compared to the controls. The ECegg50 for this effect was 117 pg TCDD per gram egg. Histological analysis of the end-of-test juveniles, in gonad, nerve, vertebrae, neuromasts, liver, kidney, gut, gas bladder, skin, and blood vessels, did not indicate any significant pathology below the LCegg50. P4501A1 mRNA levels in whole 91-d postspawn free embryos from the 84 pg TCDD per gram egg treatment were 2.8 times higher compared with control or 41-pg TCDD per gram egg treatments. Results from this study were consistent with other published results of TCDD effects on salmonids, in which the exposures occurred after fertilization.
A Process for Measuring Adoption of Innovation within the Supports Paradigm

This study describes a method to measure adoption of person-centered planning, a key element of the emerging supports paradigm. Based on the Levels of Use framework outlined by Hall and his colleagues to measure adoption of an innovation, the six-item Guttman scale yielded a coefficient of reproducibility of ***.90. Initial psychometric testing was based on the responses of 27 employees of an agency that provides services to persons with developmental disabilities. Those scoring highest on this scale were significantly more likely to have attended multiple training sessions on person-centered planning and to report that person-centered planning training has changed how they think about clients. This instrument can assist managers and trainers in determining the extent to which trainees are adopting person-centered planning and can be useful to researchers who wish to explore what variables are related to adoption of person-centered planning.
Individual differences and development in water-level task performance

Abstract Data from 23 samples of subjects aged 6.5 years to college age were modeled by a binomial mixture distribution which allows for individual differences in probability of successful task performance. At almost every age and for each sex there are two kinds of performers: those with a high probability of task success (accurate performers) and those with a low probability of task success (inaccurate performers). Age-related improvement of performance is not a consequence of children becoming gradually more accurate in task performance. Improvement is due largely to the increasing proportions of subjects that become accurate performers. Between-sex differences in performance are in evidence at all ages. The proportion of accurate performers is larger in males than in females at every age.
Deterministic Broadcast and Gossiping Algorithms for Ad hoc Networks

We present in this paper three deterministic broadcast and a gossiping algorithm suitable for ad hoc networks where topology changes range from infrequent to very frequent. The proposed algorithms are designed to work in networks where the mobile nodes possessing collision detection capabilities. Our first broadcast algorithm accomplishes broadcast in O(nlog n) for networks where topology changes are infrequent. We also present an O(nlog n) worst case time broadcast algorithms that is resilient to mobility. For networks where topology changes are frequent, we present a third algorithm that accomplishes broadcast in O(?·nlog n + n·|M|) in the worst case scenario, where |M| is the length of the message to be broadcasted and ? the maximum node degree. We then extend one of our broadcast algorithms to develop an O(Dn log n + D2) algorithm for gossiping in the same network model.
Laser-power stabilization using a quantum-well modulator

A novel method for laser-power stabilization using a multiple quantum-well reflection electroabsorption modulator with a Fabry-Perot cavity is demonstrated. Stable operation of the modulator produces a linear relationship between control current and optical absorption which permits the realization of noninterferometric optical subtraction and the implementation of a negative feedback architecture. Using this stabilization technique and a modulator with a 70% reflectivity change, intensity noise as large as +or-75% of the incident level can be eliminated from a noisy laser beam. >
Late third-trimester treatment of rectovaginal group B streptococci with benzathine penicillin G

Abstract Objective: We sought to determine the efficacy of late third-trimester benzathine penicillin G administration in eradicating maternal group B streptococcal colonization at delivery. Study Design: We performed a prospective trial of late third-trimester treatment with benzathine penicillin G versus observation in 78 obstetric patients colonized with group B streptococci. Patients were screened by use of rectovaginal swabs cultured in selective media between 34 and 37 completed weeks' gestation. Patients with positive cultures were offered antepartum treatment with 4.8 million units of intramuscular benzathine penicillin G or observation. Participants in both groups were recultured at their delivery admission before receiving standard intrapartum therapy. The primary outcome was the frequency of persistent maternal group B streptococcal colonization at the delivery admission. Other outcome variables included semiquantitative growth characteristics of all group B streptococcal cultures, the frequency of neonatal sepsis, and adverse maternal effects. Data were analyzed by the Student t test for continuous variables and the χ 2 or Fisher exact test for categoric variables, with significance established at P Results: Both groups were similar with respect to selected demographics, gestational age at delivery, and frequency of heavy group B streptococcal growth in initial screening cultures. The mean interval from treatment until delivery was 19.4 ± 7.5 days (mean ± SD). There were no cases of neonatal sepsis in either group or any adverse maternal effects attributed to the treatment. Group B streptococcal culture characteristics at delivery admission were as follows. Positive results for group B streptococci were found in 7 (25%) treated patients and 41 (82%) patients under observation (relative risk, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.59; P P Conclusions: Treating group B streptococci carriers with benzathine penicillin G in the late third trimester eradicates or significantly reduces maternal group B streptococcal colonization at delivery. This may provide an adjuvant therapy to those mothers at risk for receiving inadequate intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis against group B streptococci. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:372-6.)
Numerical evaluation of geometrical optics radar cross section

A numerical technique for evaluation of the geometrical optics radar cross section of a general doubly curved convex conducting body is described. A surface-fitting method is employed where unique surfaces are established utilizing the Schmidt orthogonalization technique for matrix inversion. In this manner linearly dependent data points are discarded prior to their inclusion in the surface-fitting procedure.
Selective co-doped erbium Ti:LiNbO 3 waveguide amplifiers

The aim of this work was to demonstrate the fabrication and characterization of erbium-doped optical waveguide amplifiers in X-cut Y-propagating lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ) by erbium (Er) and titanium (Ti) co-diffusion. Optical small-signal internal gains up to +0.6 dB/cm at 1531 nm were measured for the transverse electric (TE) and magnetic (TM) modes by optical pumping at 1488 nm with a coupled optical pump power of 95 mW in four different optical waveguide amplifier lengths. The Er and Ti co-diffusion process has shown adequate internal gain efficiency in dB/mW and a beneficial path for the development of LiNbO 3 -based integrated optical devices.
Grain-boundary segregation of impurities in iridium and effects on mechanical properties

Impurity effects were investigated in an Ir alloy of nominal composition Ir–0.3 W–0.006 Th–0.005 Al1. The impurities that were added included Fe, Ni, Cr, Al, and Si, at levels ranging from 50 to 5000 ppm. Of the elements investigated (impurities as well as alloying additions), only Si and Th were found to segregate to the grain boundaries. In alloys doped with low levels of Si (<200 ppm), both Si and Th segregated to the grant boundaries. In addition, Th-containing precipitates were identified in these alloys, but not Si-containing precipitates. When added at higher bulk levels, Si displaced (beneficial) Th from the boundaries. This caused the segregated Th at the boundaries to decrease (to practically zero) when the amount of grain-boundary Si increased (to its saturation level). Silicon also reacted with Th to form Ir–Th–Si precipitates and promoted the formation of a low-melting eutectic on the grain boundaries of the highest Si alloys. As for the other elements, not only did they not segregate to the grain boundaries, but they also did not affect Th segregation. Together, these results explain why Fe, Ni, Cr, Al (and Si at low levels) do not embrittle iridium, whereas Si at high levels causes severe embrittlement.
Market segmentation practices of exporting companies

Abstract The purpose of this article is to examine the marketing segmentation practices of industrial companies that are currently exporting their products. The results document a considerable amount of marketing activity both in terms of gathering information to be used when developing segmentation strategies and when varying the marketing mix elements to implement that strategy by a wide range of exporting companies.
Suggestive evidence for a functional unit between mast cells and substance P fibers in the rat diaphragm and mesentery

A close spatial relationship between serotonin-containing mast cells and substance P-containing nerves was shown by immunohistochemistry using a combination of antisera specific for serotonin and substance P. This supports earlier morphological results suggesting an innervation of mast cells and pharmacological studies which postulate an influence of substance P on the release of histamine from mast cells.
Comparative analysis with collagen type II distinguishes cartilage oligomeric matrix protein as a primary TGFβ-responsive gene

Summary Objective This study aims to investigate the regulation of expression of Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), which is predominately expressed by chondrocytes and functions to organize the extracellular matrix. Mutations in COMP cause two skeletal dysplasias: pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. The mechanism controlling COMP expression during chondrocyte differentiation is still poorly understood. Design Primary human bone marrow-derived stem cells were induced to differentiate into chondrocyte by pellet cultures. We then compared the temporal expression of COMP with the well-characterized cartilage-specific Type II collagen (Col2a1), and their response to transforming growth factor (TGF)β and Sox trio (Sox5, 6, and 9) stimulation. Results COMP and Col2a1 expression are differentially regulated by three distinct mechanisms. First, upregulation of COMP mRNA precedes Col2a1 by several days during chondrogenesis. Second, COMP expression is independent of high cell density but requires TGF-β1. Induction of COMP mRNA by TGF-β1 is detected within 2h in the absence of protein synthesis and is blocked by specific inhibitors of the TGFβ signaling pathway; and therefore, COMP is a primary TFGβ-response gene. Lastly, while Col2a1 expression is intimately controlled by the Sox trio, overexpression of Sox trio fails to activate the COMP promoter. Conclusion COMP and Col2a1 expression are regulated differently during chondrogenesis. COMP is a primary response gene of TGFβ and its fast induction during chondrogenesis suggests that COMP is suitable for rapidly accessing the chondrogenic potential of stem cells.
Immersion defect reduction, part I: analysis of water leaks in an immersion scanner

This paper reports the water-leakage mechanism of the immersion hood in an immersion scanner. The proposed static analysis reveals the immersion hood design performance in defect distribution. A dynamic water-leakage model traces the leaked water and identifies its position on the wafer, during exposure. Comparing simulation to experimental results on bare-silicon and resist-coated wafers, the defect type, source of residuals, and critical settings on the immersion system were clearly identified.
High strain-rate localization and failure of crystalline materials

Abstract A theoretical and a computational model are introduced to study the micromechanical high strain-rate failure mechanisms of shear-strain localization in monocrystalline fcc structures. A theoretical framework for a constitutive model for the dynamic finite plastic deformation of rate-dependent single fcc crystals is developed. The micromechanics of plastic flow are based on a high strain-rate single crystal plasticity model and a visco-plastic power law. The single crystal is subjected to far-field dynamic tensile strain-rates ranging from 100/s to 2000/s. An explicit finite-element model is introduced for the integration of the numerically stiff visco-plastic constitutive relations. The total deformation rate tensor is obtained by the central difference explicit integration of the equations of motion. The plastic deformation rate tensor is obtained from the solution of an initial-value nonlinear problem for the resolved shear stresses. In time intervals when the differential equations for the resolved shear stresses are not numerically stiff, the initial-value problem is integrated by the explicit fifth-order Runge-Kutta adaptive time-step method. In time domains where the propagated error grows and the time-step must be restricted due to stability requirements, which is an indication of numerical stiffness, the initial-value problem is integrated by an A- stable method . To correctly differentiate time-step reductions due to stability, from time-step reductions due to accuracy, a stiffness ratio is defined. The present analysis corroborates experimental observations that high strain-rate shear-strain localization, in rate-dependent crystals, is a function of thermal and geometrical softening, overall strain-rates, strain hardening, strain-rate hardening, and strain-rate sensitivity.
Study of hypersonic flow past sharp cones

Calculations using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method of Bird for flow past sharp cones in the near continuum to free molecule flow regime are presented and compared with experiment. It is found that results are sensitive to the grid and the interaction potential. Moreover, the time counter method was found to be as accurate as other methods when the solution is grid independent. Finally, the results show that the effects of the wake on the forebody surface properties are minimal.
Calculation of voltage and space charge distributions in a wire-plate electrostatic precipitator

Abstract Several convergence acceleration methods have been introduced into procedures developed by the Southern Research Institute for calculating voltage and space charge distributions in parallel plate electrostatic precipitators. A dominant eigenvalue method is used in conjunction with several other techniques to promote convergence of an iterative calculation of these quantities. In each of two test problems, the effect of the acceleration step was to reduce the required computation time to roughly 5% of its original value.
Display-control arrangement correspondence and logical recoding in the Hedge and Marsh reversal of the Simon effect.

Abstract When left and right keypresses are made to stimuli in left and right locations, and stimulus location is irrelevant to the task, responses are typically faster when stimulus location corresponds with response location than when it does not (the Simon effect). This effect reverses when the relevant stimulus–response mapping is incompatible, with responses being slower when stimulus and response locations correspond (the Hedge and Marsh reversal). Simon et al. (Acta Psychol. 47 (1981) 63) reported an exception to the Hedge and Marsh reversal for a situation in which the relevant stimulus dimension was the color of a centered visual stimulus and the irrelevant location information was left or right tone location. In contrast, similar experiments have found a reversal of the Simon effect for tone location when relevant visual locations were mapped incompatibly to responses. We conducted four experiments to investigate this discrepancy. Both results were replicated. With an incompatible mapping, irrelevant tone location showed a small reverse Simon effect when the relevant visual dimension was physical location but not when the color of a centered stimulus or the direction in which an arrow pointed conveyed the visual location information. The reversal occurred in a more standard Hedge and Marsh task in which the irrelevant dimension was location of the colored stimulus, but only when the response keys were visibly labeled. Several of the results suggest that display-control arrangement correspondence is the primary cause of the Hedge and Marsh reversal, with logical recoding playing only a secondary role.
Self-activation of Recombinant Human Lysosomal Procathepsin D at a Newly Engineered Cleavage Junction, “Short” Pseudocathepsin D

To obtain a recombinant model of human cathepsin D with kinetic properties that are identical with native human liver enzyme, we have addressed the significant differences in structure and catalytic function between naturally occurring enzyme and bacterially derived pseudocathepsin D. Human procathepsin D was expressed in a baculovirus system to obtain correctly folded, glycosylated enzyme that upon acidification completely converts to the active intermediate, pseudocathepsin D. The oligosaccharide moieties of this recombinant enzyme contributed to about 5% of the apparent molecular mass of the enzyme, and the carbohydrate composition was quite similar to the native material. However, specificity constants (kcat/Km) of this glycosylated pseudoform for several synthetic chromogenic substrates were considerably less (33%-50%) than those for the native enzyme and were virtually identical with those observed with nonglycosylated pseudocathepsin D. A cleavable junction suitable for self-processing at the normal maturation point of human cathepsin D was engineered into procathepsin D according to known specificity requirements of this enzyme, and the construct was expressed using baculovirus. Following experiments that demonstrated that the new proenzyme failed to process to the expected point, the new cleavage junction was moved 6 residues toward the amino terminus of procathepsin D and expressed in Escherichia coli. After refolding, the protein containing the newly engineered junction self-processed, generating a shortened mutant form of pseudocathepsin D that is 6 residues longer at the amino terminus than the native material. The kinetic properties of this newly engineered pseudoform proved to be identical with those of the native enzyme, thus establishing an improved recombinant model for this important aspartic proteinase.
STANLEY V. ANDERSON

Stan Anderson died unexpectedly while out for an afternoon walk on May 26, 2009. If I set out to design a model civil society, Stan would be my model citizen. At every nexus in the life of a community—family, friends, workplace, and civic institutions—Stan's instincts were to care and to contribute. For 30 years a member of the political science faculty at the Santa Barbara campus of the University of California, he was a leading authority on, and advocate for, American applications of the (Scandinavian) office of ombudsman. If that term for an official who handles citizens' complaints is no longer foreign in the United States, it is largely because of Stan Anderson.
Radicular Artery Blood Flow Does Not Redistribute Fentanyl from the Epidural Space to the Spinal Cord

Background Epidural opioids must redistribute to the spinal cord to produce analgesia. It has been suggested that opioids may reach the spinal cord via the radicular arterial blood supply. This study was designed to test this hypothesis. Methods Microdialysis probes were placed in the lumbar and thoracic spinal cord of six anesthetized pigs and a ligature placed around the thoracic aorta. At t = 0, fentanyl (300 micrograms) was injected into the epidural space and the spinal cord and plasma were sampled over 90 min to determine resultant spinal cord dialysate fentanyl concentrations. At t = 90, the thoracic aorta was occluded to eliminate distal radicular artery blood flow and fentanyl was again injected into the epidural space. The spinal cord was sampled for an additional 90 min to determine spinal cord dialysate fentanyl concentrations. At t = 90 min the aortic cross-clamp was released and spinal cord samples were collected for another 30 min. Results There was no difference in lumbar spinal cord dialysate concentrations of fentanyl between the control and cross-clamp conditions over the first 20 min after epidural administration. Between 20 and 90 min, lumbar spinal cord fentanyl concentrations were significantly greater during aortic cross-clamp. Fentanyl was not detected in the thoracic cord. Conclusions Radicular artery blood supply does not redistribute fentanyl from the epidural space to the spinal cord in this model. However, radicular artery blood flow does play a role in clearing fentanyl from the spinal cord.
Coated-platelets in ischemic stroke: differences between lacunar and cortical stroke.

Summary. Background: Coated-platelets are a subset of platelets with procoagulant potential observed upon dual agonist stimulation with collagen and thrombin. Objective: The goal was to investigate if coated-platelet production differs between patients with lacunar ischemic stroke and non-lacunar (cortical) ischemic stroke as compared with controls. Patients and methods: Blood samples from 60 patients with ischemic stroke (20 lacunar and 40 cortical) and 70 controls were analyzed for coated-platelet production. Results: Coated-platelet production was significantly lower in patients with lacunar stroke (21.8 ± 11.4%, mean ± 1 SD) as compared with either controls (31.6 ± 13.2%, P = 0.008) or patients with cortical stroke (39.4 ± 12.7%, P < 0.001). The increase in coated-platelets for patients with cortical stroke as compared with controls was also significant (P = 0.008). Conclusions: Our results indicate a marked difference in coated-platelet synthesis in lacunar vs. non-lacunar stroke, thereby providing additional support for the existence of distinct pathological processes underlying these two subtypes of ischemic stroke. Further investigation of the role of coated-platelets in stroke, taking into account these preliminary findings, is warranted.
Challenges and opportunities associated with targeting estrogen receptors in treating hypertension and cardiovascular disease

This review focuses on the controversial role of estrogens in cardiovascular protection. A wealth of epidemiological observations and laboratory research indicate estrogens have cardioprotective effects; however, recent clinical trials (e.g. the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial) have shown that estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) might even increase rather than reduce the risk of heart disease. The potential reasons for the disparity between research findings and clinical trials include the cell and tissue-specific actions of estrogens and the complexity of estrogen receptor regulation as well as limitations in clinical trial design. The future of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease is also discussed.
Pointed filament illumination characteristics

Abstract Single-crystal pointed filaments can give illumination of very high brightness in electron microscopes if the illumination adjustment controls are properly set. The structure of the illumination beam image at low magnification is discussed and displayed as a function of the grid bias. The interdependence between tip height and grid bias is discussed quantitatively. The tip crystal orientation is important for high brightness and can be determined from the illumination image structure when the system is properly aligned. Poor alignment will give adequate electron-optical brightness only with excessive gun current or excessive beam current which can damage radiation-sensitive specimens and quickly destroy the filament. The possible influence of different energy groups on high resolution detail is discussed. Pointed filaments can have lifetimes in excess of forty hours if the vacuum in the gun region is good enough to minimize tip erosion by ion bombardment.
The allocation of promotion budget to maximize customer equity

Abstract Since the early 1980s, the concept of relationship marketing has gained increased acceptance in the field of general marketing, and particularly that of direct and interactive marketing. One of the major benefits of relationship marketing is the ability to make decisions based on their impact on customer equity. In this paper, we offer a general approach to the organization of promotion budget allocation, where the objective function is to maximize customer equity. A cornerstone in our study is the use of decision calculus in which managers’ judgments and/or estimates serve as some of the inputs to formal modeling. A series of applications of our approach to promotion budget allocation are offered under different market conditions. These applications focus on promotional expenditure allocation decisions between acquisition and retention, as well as among different promotional options for each category of expenditure. The paper also treats potential cases of synergy, or interaction, between promotional vehicles when applied to the same market segment.
Matching and design efficiency in epidemiological studies

SUMMARY For an observational study to compare two groups with respect to a dichotomous outcome variable, the design strategy of matching observational units with respect to a potential confounding variable X is compared with the strategy of selecting independent samples with possible poststratification on X for bias control. The comparison is based on asymptotic relative efficiencies of appropriate Mantel-Haenszel chi-squared tests. It is found that proper understanding requires that the prospective and the retrospective study designs be separately considered, and that in certain circumstances the effect of matching on design efficiency is entirely different for the two designs. Conditions are established under which matching is more efficient than poststratification for the control of confounding.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the electrical double layer on smectite surfaces contacting concentrated mixed electrolyte (NaCl–CaCl2) solutions

Abstract We report new molecular dynamics results elucidating the structure of the electrical double layer (EDL) on smectite surfaces contacting mixed NaCl–CaCl 2 electrolyte solutions in the range of concentrations relevant to pore waters in geologic repositories for CO 2 or high-level radioactive waste (0.34–1.83 mol c dm −3 ). Our results confirm the existence of three distinct ion adsorption planes (0-, β-, and d-planes), often assumed in EDL models, but with two important qualifications: (1) the location of the β- and d-planes are independent of ionic strength or ion type and (2) “indifferent electrolyte” ions can occupy all three planes. Charge inversion occurred in the diffuse ion swarm because of the affinity of the clay surface for CaCl + ion pairs. Therefore, at concentrations ⩾0.34 mol c dm −3 , properties arising from long-range electrostatics at interfaces (electrophoresis, electro-osmosis, co-ion exclusion, colloidal aggregation) will not be correctly predicted by most EDL models. Co-ion exclusion, typically neglected by surface speciation models, balanced a large part of the clay mineral structural charge in the more concentrated solutions. Water molecules and ions diffused relatively rapidly even in the first statistical water monolayer, contradicting reports of rigid “ice-like” structures for water on clay mineral surfaces.
Patient dissatisfaction following total knee replacement: a growing concern?

A national, multi-centre study was designed in which a questionnaire quantifying the degree of patient satisfaction and residual symptoms in patients following total knee replacement (TKR) was administered by an independent, blinded third party survey centre. A total of 90% of patients reported satisfaction with the overall functioning of their knee, but 66% felt their knee to be ‘normal’, with the reported incidence of residual symptoms and functional problems ranging from 33% to 54%. Female patients and patients from low-income households had increased odds of reporting dissatisfaction. Neither the use of contemporary implant designs (gender-specific, high-flex, rotating platform) or custom cutting guides (CCG) with a neutral mechanical axis target improved patient-perceived outcomes. However, use of a CCG to perform a so-called kinematically aligned TKR showed a trend towards more patients reporting their knee to feel ‘normal’ when compared with a so called mechanically aligned TKR This data shows a degree of dissatisfaction and residual symptoms following TKR, and that several recent modifications in implant design and surgical technique have not improved the current situation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B(11 Suppl A):96–100.
Dexamethasone decreases insulin-like growth factor-I and -II via a glucocorticoid receptor dependent mechanism in developing rat brain.

OBJECTIVES: Dexamethasone (Dex) causes neurodegeneration in developing brain. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and -II (IGF-II) are potent neurotrophic and differentiation factors and play key roles in the regulation of growth and development of CNS. Current project evaluated the effects of Dex on IGF-I and -II in developing rat brains. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rat pups in each litter were divided into vehicle (n=230) or Dex-treated (n=234) groups. Rat pups in the Dex group received one of the 3 different regimens of i.p. Dex: tapering doses (DexTD) on postnatal days (PD) 3 to PD 6 or repeated doses on PD 4 to PD 6 or single dose on PD 6. To quantify the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) blockade effect, rat pups in the DexTD group on PD 3 and 5 received vehicle or RU486 (GR blocker, 60 mg/kg) s.c., twenty minutes prior to Dex treatment. RESULTS: Dex decreased the gain of body and brain weight while RU486 inhibited these effects. RU486 also prevented the DexTD-induced increase in caspase-3 activity and reduction in IGF-I and -II proteins. Compared to the vehicle, the expression of mRNA of IGF-I and -II decreased at 24 h after DexTD treatment, while RU486 prevented this decrease on IGF-II but not IGF-I. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that Dex via GR decreases IGF-I and -II and causes neurodegeneration in the neonatal rat brain.
Landscape patterns and stream reaches in the Alaskan taiga forest: potential roles of permafrost in differentiating macroinvertebrate communities

We investigated spatial variability in the community structure of stream macroinvertebrates at six reaches within Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watershed in the Alaskan taiga forest. Stream reaches differed most notably in river continuum position (stream orders 1–4) and influence of permafrost. Permafrost may underly much of an entire watershed or may be only locally present in valley bottoms. Permafrost distribution influences hydrology, water temperature, and riparian vegetation. We sampled benthic macroinvertebrates six times during the ice-free season between June 1995 and June 1996. Mean invertebrate abundance (range: 1160–14494 individuals *#x2022; m-2) was significantly different among sites, the lower values occurring in stream reaches affected by the local presence of permafrost and the highest value in a headwater stream unaffected by permafrost. Taxonomic composition of the macroinvertebrate community also differed among reaches, with the quantity of watershed-level permafrost and stream size providing the strongest influences. This research highlights the importance of permafrost at two spatial scales (watershed and reach) for macroinvertebrate communities of headwater streams at high latitudes.
Molecular prognostic factors for breast cancer metastasis and survival.

The biological characteristics of the tumor are used to estimate prognosis and select appropriate systemic therapy for patients with early-stage breast cancer. Well-established molecular prognostic factors include the estrogen and progesterone receptors, proliferation markers, and the HER2 gene. Novel tumor markers with potential clinical utility include molecules involved in cell transformation, invasion, and metastases. We review the available data supporting the utility of established prognostic and predictive molecular factors, and discuss challenges for integrating novel molecular markers into clinical practice.
Bio Science: Genetic Genealogy Testing and the Pursuit of African Ancestry

This paper considers the extent to which the geneticization of 'race' and ethnicity is the prevailing outcome of genetic testing for genealogical purposes. The decoding of the human genome precipitated a change of paradigms in genetics research, from an emphasis on genetic similarity to a focus on molecular-level differences among individuals and groups. This shift from lumping to splitting spurred ongoing disagreements among scholars about the significance of 'race' and ethnicity in the genetics era. I characterize these divergent perspectives as 'pragmatism' and 'naturalism'. Drawing upon ethnographic fieldwork and interviews, I argue that neither position fully accounts for how understandings of 'race' and ethnicity are being transformed with genetic genealogy testing. While there is some acquiescence to genetic thinking about ancestry, and by implication, 'race', among African-American and black British consumers of genetic genealogy testing, test-takers also adjudicate between sources of genealogical information and from these construct meaningful biographical narratives. Consumers engage in highly situated 'objective' and 'affiliative' self-fashioning, interpreting genetic test results in the context of their 'genealogical aspirations'. I conclude that issues of site, scale, and subjectification must be attended to if scholars are to understand whether and to what extent social identities are being transformed by recent developments in genetic science.
An exploratory study of SME management in the Middle East

The Middle East is a growing, lucrative marketplace that recently has captured the interest of the world for political as well as economic reasons with the War in Iraq in 2003. This exploratory study examines the relationship between retail small/medium enterprises (SMEs) management and employee perceptions of customer service on a number of dimensions. The results suggest that managers and employees in the Middle East behave in similar ways to those in western countries, but there are differences, probably related to cultural characteristics. The Middle East is a richly diverse region, a myriad of unique cultures. As the market becomes more sophisticated, the importance of service quality increases. Global retailers can benefit from this study by better understanding the managers and employees in the region that are vital to their success. Implications for practice are discussed.
Double-Blind, Randomized Trial of Docetaxel Plus Vandetanib Versus Docetaxel Plus Placebo in Platinum-Pretreated Metastatic Urothelial Cancer

Purpose Vandetanib is an oral once-daily tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 and epidermal growth factor receptor. Vandetanib in combination with docetaxel was assessed in patients with advanced urothelial cancer (UC) who progressed on prior platinum-based chemotherapy.
Histochemical Demonstration of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in Ampullae of Semicircular Canals

The enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta HSD) plays a major role in the protection of the mineralocorticoid (type I) receptor. The cellular mechanism of aldosterone selectivity relies on the coexpression of mineralocorticoid receptors and 11 beta HSD in the same cells. An 11 beta HSD activity has been localized in the ampullae of the semicircular canal by histochemical technique which links steroid metabolism with the deposition of formazan deposition. Oxidation of 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione was observed in the dark cell region. Oxidation of 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione was nicotine-adenine dinucleotide (NAD) dependent. These results demonstrate the presence of a dehydrogenase activity separate from the nicotineamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) dependent 11 beta HSD.
The Trade-Offs of Fighting and Investing: A Model of the Evolution of War and Peace 1

International competition occurs in many different forms. Just as a state would be in danger if it allowed its opponent to gain a military advantage, one that falls behind a rival in an economic contest similarly faces risks. States must weigh the trade-offs between economic and military growth, as well as deciding on the best strategy to follow should war erupt. We use a formal, dynamic model to explicitly capture the trade-offs that states face in their search for security and dominance. The deductions from the model demonstrate that by considering the long-run results of a peacetime rivalry, weaker states might conclude that their only hope of winning or surviving a rivalry lies in fighting a counterforce war, explain why and how stalemates evolve during counterforce wars, and indicate that targeting industrial objectives shortens the duration of wars.
Polaris: a system for query, analysis, and visualization of multidimensional relational databases

In the last several years, large multidimensional databases have become common in a variety of applications, such as data warehousing and scientific computing. Analysis and exploration tasks place significant demands on the interfaces to these databases. Because of the size of the data sets, dense graphical representations are more effective for exploration than spreadsheets and charts. Furthermore, because of the exploratory nature of the analysis, it must be possible for the analysts to change visualizations rapidly as they pursue a cycle involving first hypothesis and then experimentation. In this paper, we present Polaris, an interface for exploring large multidimensional databases that extends the well-known pivot table interface. The novel features of Polaris include an interface for constructing visual specifications of table-based graphical displays and the ability to generate a precise set of relational queries from the visual specifications. The visual specifications can be rapidly and incrementally developed, giving the analyst visual feedback as he constructs complex queries and visualizations.
Bandwidth-constrained mapping of cores onto NoC architectures

We address the design of complex monolithic systems, where processing cores generate and consume a varying and large amount of data, thus bringing the communication links to the edge of congestion. Typical applications are in the area of multi-media processing. We consider a mesh-based networks on chip (NoC) architecture, and we explore the assignment of cores to mesh cross-points so that the traffic on links satisfies bandwidth constraints. A single-path deterministic routing between the cores places high bandwidth demands on the links. The bandwidth requirements can be significantly reduced by splitting the traffic between the cores across multiple paths. In this paper, we present NMAP, a fast algorithm that maps the cores onto a mesh NoC architecture under bandwidth constraints, minimizing the average communication delay. The NMAP algorithm is presented for both single minimum-path routing and split-traffic routing. The algorithm is applied to a benchmark DSP design and the resulting NoC is built and simulated at cycle accurate level in SystemC using macros from the /spl times/pipes library. Also, experiments with six video processing applications show significant savings in bandwidth and communication cost for NMAP algorithm when compared to existing algorithms.
The Modified Bristow Procedure for Anterior Shoulder Instability 26-Year Outcomes in Naval Academy Midshipmen

BackgroundMany procedures have been proposed for the correction of anterior shoulder instability. Some of these procedures address the problem anatomically, such as the Bankart procedure, and some prevent instability nonanatomically, such as the Bristow-Latarjet procedure. A modified Bristow procedure was the procedure of choice for anterior shoulder instability among midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy from 1975 to 1979.HypothesisThe modified Bristow procedure for anterior shoulder instability provides good shoulder function and stability in the long term.Study DesignCase series; Level of evidence, 4.MethodsThere were 52 shoulders in 49 patients reviewed at a mean follow-up of 26.4 years. The Rowe score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index were used to assess outcomes.ResultsThe mean Rowe score was 81.8 (range, 5-100), and the mean Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score was 82.9 (range, 30-100), with an overall Single Assessment Numeric Evalu...