cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration and thyroid disease

Abstract Background: Fine-needle aspiration represents a critical diagnostic test in determining proper management of thyroid disease and the use of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (USGFNA) has increased over the years. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing USGFNA. Two hundred fifteen patients underwent 234 procedures with 362 nodules aspirated within a 2 1 2 -year period. Results: The mean ages of women and men were 51.9 and 57.8, respectively. The average size of nodules was 2.1 cm. A difficult to assess gland or nodule was the most common indication for USGFNA (33%). The sensitivity was 88.2%, specificity was 80.0%, the PPV was 65.2%, the negative predictive value was 94.1%, and the accuracy was 82.5%. The cancer yield, inadequacy, and complication rates were 44%, 10.5%, and 8.5%, respectively. Conclusions: USGFNA aspiration is a safe and effective diagnostic modality in the management of thyroid disease, especially for nodules that are difficult to palpate. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;123:700-5.)
DUN1 encodes a protein kinase that controls the DNA damage response in yeast.

Abstract DNA damage induces the expression of many genes proposed to enhance DNA repair capacities. We investigated the mechanism by which DNA damage induces transcription of RNR3 , a subunit of ribonucleotide reductase. Five complementation groups of DNA-damage un-inducible ( dun ) mutants were identified. Each is sensitive to DNA damage. dun1 mutants are also defective for RNR1 and RNR2 induction but are proficient for induction of other genes, defining the existence of at least two distinct DNA damage induction pathways. DUN1 encodes a nuclear protein kinase that is also a phosphoprotein. Phosphorylation of Dun1 increases in response to DNA damage in a Dun1-dependent manner, suggesting an increase in autophosphorylation activity. These results establish the existence of a eukaryotic SOS response regulated by protein phosphorylation.
SU‐FF‐J‐102: Patient Breathing Motion Synchronized IMAT: A New Technique for Compensating Intra‐Fraction Organ Motions

Purpose: To develop an image‐guidedradiotherapy technique for compensating intra‐fraction organ motions by taking full advantage of 4‐D CT and motion tracking. Methods and Material: We have developed a new image‐guidedradiotherapy technique called patient breathing motion‐synchronized intensity‐modulated arc therapy (IMAT) based on the following observations. (1) If the LINAC gantry rotates x degrees in one breathing cycle during an IMAT arc delivery, then the beam source “sees” the same breathing phase at beam angles spaced x degrees apart. (2) If each breathing cycle is divided into k breathing phases, then we can partition all discrete beam angles used for planning an IMAT treatment into k groups, with each group “seeing” a particular breathing phase. If one can first calculate an intensity map for each group of beam angles using their corresponding snapshot in the 4D CTimage set as a gantry‐fixed IMRT plan, then the resulting k groups of intensity maps can be combined and converted into a final set of IMAT treatment arcs. As long as the patient can reproduce his/her own pre‐recorded breathing patterns, the IMAT plan can be delivered and is optimal in 4‐D. (3) To ensure that the patient's breathing is always at the correct breathing phase at the start of the irradiation of each IMAT arc, the beam is not turned on after pressing the “Beam‐On” button until the breathing pattern reaches the predetermined phase through motion tracking. Results: We applied the motion‐synchronized IMAT technique to the dynamic phantom from CIRS Inc., which can simulate patient breathing motions. Our experimental study indicated that this technique can deliver optimal treatments under motions. Conclusion: We have developed a new image‐guidedradiotherapy technique called patient breathing motion‐synchronized IMAT. Our prototype study has demonstrated the feasibility and advantage of this novel method that warrants further investigation.
Theoretical studies on graphyne substructures: geometry, aromaticity, and electronic properties of the multiply fused dehydrobenzo[12]annulenes.

The geometries of multiply fused dehydrobenzo[12]annulenes [12]DBAs 2−7 with various topologies, which are considered as graphyne fragments, have been optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. Most of the optimized geometries of fused DBAs have planar structures excluding a boomerang-shaped bisDBA 4, a trefoil-shaped trisDBA 6, and a wheel-shaped DBA 7. For the boomerang-shaped bisDBA 4 and the trefoil-shaped trisDBA 6, distortions originate from the steric repulsion between hydrogen atoms attached to adjacent benzene rings. The harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) values at the central benzene ring of multiply fused DBAs decrease as the number of fused 12-membered rings increases except for the closely related structures 4 and 5 and 6 and 7, because of bond length elongation due to conjugation with the phenylethynyl groups. Nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS) were computed at the individual ring centers of the fused DBAs. The fusion of the antiaromatic 12-membered rings results in ...
Production and characterization of bifunctional enzymes. Substrate channeling in the aspartate pathway.

The direct channeling of an intermediate between enzymes that catalyze consecutive reactions in a pathway offers the possibility of an efficient, exclusive, and protected means of metabolite delivery. Aspartokinase−homoserine dehydrogenase I (AK-HDH I) from Escherichia coli is an unusual bifunctional enzyme in that it does not catalyze consecutive reactions. The potential channeling of the intermediate β-aspartyl phosphate between the aspartokinase of this bifunctional enzyme and aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ASADH), the enzyme that catalyzes the intervening reaction, has been examined. The introduction of increasing levels of inactivated ASADH has been shown to compete against enzyme−enzyme interactions and direct intermediate channeling, leading to a decrease in the overall reaction flux through these consecutive enzymes. These same results are obtained whether these experiments are conducted with aspartokinase III, a naturally occurring monofunctional isozyme, with an artifically produced monof...
Living While Black A State-Level Analysis of the Influence of Select Social Stressors on the Quality of Life Among Black Americans

This article examines the effects of select social stressors on the quality of life among Black Americans. Specifically, the authors created a state-level Living While Black index, which includes the Black poverty level by state, the number of Black prisoners by state, the lack of access to health care per Black population, the Black infant mortality rate, the Black homicide rate, and dollars per Black population of Black businesses. Using multivariate statistical techniques, the authors carried out a first-order test of the influence of the living while Black measures on a quality of life index comprising the following measures: number of days per month 5 or more drinks, percentage of Blacks indicating they have mental health problems, suicide rates by state for Blacks, and years of life lost per state for Blacks. The article concludes by discussing the implications of the findings and directions for future research.
A brain-like computer for cognitive software applications: the Ersatz Brain project

We want to design a suitable computer for the efficient execution of the software now being developed that displays human-like cognitive abilities. Examples of these potential software applications include natural language understanding, text processing, conceptually based Internet search, natural human-computer interfaces, cognitively based data mining, sensor fusion, and image understanding. Requirements of the proposed software are primary in shaping our hardware design. The hardware architecture design is based on a few ideas taken from the anatomy of mammalian neo-cortex. In common with other such attempts it is a massively parallel, two-dimensional array of CPUs and their associated memory. However, the design used in this project: (1) uses an approximation to cortical computation called the network of networks which holds that the basic computing unit in the cortex is not a single neuron but small groups of them working together in attractor networks; and (2) assumes connections in cortex are very sparse. The resulting architecture depends largely on local data movement.
One hundred percent fascial approximation with sequential abdominal closure of the open abdomen.

Abstract Background Damage-control surgery and the recognition of the abdominal compartment syndrome have improved patient outcomes but at the cost of an open abdomen. Multiple techniques have been introduced to obtain fascial closure for the open abdomen to minimize morbidity and cost of care. We performed a modification of the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) technique that provided constant fascial tension, hypothesizing this would result in a higher rate of primary fascial closure. Methods After initial temporary closure of the abdomen after post-injury damage control or decompressive laparotomy for abdominal compartment syndrome, we began the sequential closure technique. The technique begins by covering the bowel with the multiple white sponges overlapped like patchwork, and the fascia is placed under moderate tension over the white sponges with #1-PDS sutures. Large black VAC sponges are placed on top of the white sponges and affixed with an occlusive dressing and standard suction tubing is placed. Patients are returned to the operating room for sequential fascial closure and replacement of the sponge sandwich every 2 days, with a resulting decrease in the fascial defect. Results Fourteen patients underwent sequential abdominal closure during the study period: 9 owing to damage control surgery and 5 owing to secondary abdominal compartment syndrome. Average time to closure was 7.5 ± 1.0 days (range 4–16) and average number of laparotomies to closure was 4.6 ± 0.5 (range 3–8). All patients attained primary fascial closure. Conclusion We propose a modification of the previously described vacuum-assisted closure technique that achieves 100% fascial approximation in our limited experience. Further application and refinement of this technique may eliminate the need for delayed complex and costly reconstructive abdominal wall procedures for the open abdomen.
Examining the relationship between personality and entrepreneurial career preference 1

A sample of 337 men and women were grouped according to their perception of their parent entrepreneur's performance or the absence of such a role model. The groups were assessed on relationships between personality variables and entrepreneurial career preference variables. Personality and entrepreneurial career preference were complementary for individuals with a parent perceived to be a high performer. An inverse relationship between personality and entrepreneurial career preference was observed for both individuals with a parent entrepreneur perceived to be a low performer and those without a parent entrepreneur.
Collision alerting system evaluation methodology for ground vehicles

This paper presents a methodology useful in modelling hazard situations. The methodology is demonstrated in a simplified ground vehicle rear-end collision warning system application. The relative benefits of increased sensor accuracy versus improved driver response time and braking deceleration are examined.
Comparison of Different Epithelial Substrates Useful for Indirect Immunofluorescence Testing of Sera from Patients with Active Pemphigus

A positive statistical correlation between intercellular antibody titer and disease severity was found for a group of 6 patients with active pemphigus vulgaris, irrespective of whether indirect IF testing was performed on 5 different epithelial substrates which included guinea pig esophagus, human foreskin, rabbit esophagus, monkey esophagus and monkey lip. In a group of 4 patients with pemphigus foliaceus a positive correlation between disease severity and titer was found only when rabbit esophagus was used for indirect fluorescence testing. In both groups of patients there were individual patients in whom the antibody titer was positive at a time when no disease was present and conversely, there were some patients in whom the antibody titer was negative at a time when extensive disease was present. Because of this inconsistency, the use of antibody titers to monitor disease activity and therapy in individual patients may not be justifiable.
Estimating joint strata weights for poststratification

Abstract Poststratification provides a systematic approach for improving the precision of sample estimates given prior information on the population distribution. The technique depends upon accurate estimates of the weights (proportions) in each stratum. Applied to two-fold stratification, however, it is often difficult to predict the joint weights without conducting an expensive survey. This report shows how to overcome the estimation problem when marginal totals are known. The resulting model is a nonlinear network (graph); hence, special purpose algorithms are available for solving realistic-size examples. Several modeling extensions and preliminary empirical tests are discussed.
Carbon based nanostructures: diamond clusters structured with nanotubes

Feasibility of designing composites from carbon nanotubes and nanodiamond clusters is discussed based on atomistic simulations. Depending on nanotube size and morphology, some types of open nanotubes can be chemically connected with different facets of diamond clusters. The geometrical relation between different types of nanotubes and different diamond facets for construction of mechanically stable composites with all bonds saturated is summarized. Potential applications of the suggested nanostructures are briefly discussed based on the calculations of their electronic properties using environment dependent self-consistent tight-binding approach.
Protein–DNA binding dynamics predict transcriptional response to nutrients in archaea

Organisms across all three domains of life use gene regulatory networks (GRNs) to integrate varied stimuli into coherent transcriptional responses to environmental pressures. However, inferring GRN topology and regulatory causality remains a central challenge in systems biology. Previous work characterized TrmB as a global metabolic transcription factor in archaeal extremophiles. However, it remains unclear how TrmB dynamically regulates its ∼100 metabolic enzyme-coding gene targets. Using a dynamic perturbation approach, we elucidate the topology of the TrmB metabolic GRN in the model archaeon Halobacterium salinarum. Clustering of dynamic gene expression patterns reveals that TrmB functions alone to regulate central metabolic enzyme-coding genes but cooperates with various regulators to control peripheral metabolic pathways. Using a dynamical model, we predict gene expression patterns for some TrmB-dependent promoters and infer secondary regulators for others. Our data suggest feed-forward gene regulatory topology for cobalamin biosynthesis. In contrast, purine biosynthesis appears to require TrmB-independent regulators. We conclude that TrmB is an important component for mediating metabolic modularity, integrating nutrient status and regulating gene expression dynamics alone and in concert with secondary regulators.
Shooting Straight: Graphic versus Non-Graphic War Photographs

An experiment showed that audiences react with more empathy to graphic war photographs than non-graphic war photographs in war reports. Four war stories from four countries, with a graphic or a non-graphic photograph representing each report, tested respondents' reactions. Empathy measured higher after audience exposure to graphic war photographs, while recall, central processing, emotion, media attitudes, and civic participation did not show significant differences. This study shows editors and news organizations can expect audiences may not react with a significant amount of emotion, nor with significant amounts of negativity toward the media, but will have more empathy for subjects and/or issues involved after being presented with graphic news photographs of war with reports, as opposed to non-graphic photographs of war.
PHOTOADDITION OF CHLORPROMAZINE TO GUANOSINE‐5′‐MONOPHOSPHATE

Abstrart—The photochemistry of chlorpromazine (CPZ) with guanosine-5′-monophosphate (GMP) was studied as a model for the photoaddition of CPZ to DNA. Irradiation of CPZ with calf thymus DNA produced a product emitting at 520 nm, whereas with GMP emission was at 495 nm. HPLC separation of photolysis mixtures of [3H]CPZ with GMP and [14C]GMP with CPZ indicated that three photoadducts were formed. One of the adducts fluoresced at 500 nm and appeared to be the product detected but not separated by Fujita et al. (Photochem. Photobiol. 1981, 34, 101–105). A second adduct emitted at 460 nm, and the third was nonfluorescent. The photoadduct emitting at 500 nm was characterized by UV, fluorescence, and NMR to be an adduct from coupling of the C-8 position of guanine to the C-2 position of the phenothiazine ring of CPZ. The cation radical of CPZ (CPZ +) does not appear to be an intermediate since enzymatically generated CPZ + formed a product that eluted with a retention time close to that of the photoadducts, but did not emit at 520 nm.
The rheology of dilute suspensions of slender rods in weak flows

This paper describes the consequences of pair interactions in dilute suspensions of rigid rods of length 2 l and radius a subjected to weak, steady shear flows. The combination of hydrodynamic and Brownian forces increases alignment with the flow, thereby enhancing the shear thinning and strain thickening expected from dilute theories. The theory is asymptotic in Pe [Lt ] 1 and e = (ln 2 l/a ) −1 [Lt ] 1 but requires an ad hoc approximation to simplify the form of the hydrodynamic interactions and the rod-rod excluded volume. The theoretical predictions of the Huggins coefficient in simple shear flow are compared with data in the literature for Xanthan gum, a semi-rigid biopolymer. Comparison with semi-dilute theories emphasizes the fundamentally different nature of the interactions in the two regimes and indicates that the transition between the two lies in the range 1.5 [les ][η] 0 n [les ] 6.
Analytical treatment of the volume and surface area of molecules formed by an arbitrary collection of unequal spheres intersected by planes

A general algorithm has been developed for the analytical determination of the volume and exposed surface area of a solid body formed by a collection of arbitrarily sized intersecting spheres and delimited by a set of arbitrarily directed planes. The algorithm is useful for analysing molecules represented as fused hard spheres, sections of such molecules, as well as void or available spaces formed among such molecules. The multisphere-multiplane problem is decomposed into a set of problems involving the intersection of a single sphere by an arbitrary collection of planes. The volume and exposed area of the convex body formed by such an intersection are found using simple principles of analytical geometry. Applications of the new method are presented for the determination of the volume, excluded volume, and surface area of long-chain molecules and of the void volume and internal surface area of a zeolite crystal. It is found that the method is faster, more efficient, more versatile, and more accurate than ...
pangolin expression influences the development of a morphological novelty: Beetle horns

Morphological diversity arises during development through the actions and interactions of diverse developmental pathways. Among those, the Wnt pathway is known to contribute to diverse developmental processes such as segmentation and the morphogenesis of appendages. Here, we characterize a transcription factor in the Wnt pathway, pangolin (pan), to investigate the role of Wnt signaling in the development of evolutionarily novel body structures: the horns of beetles. Beetle horns are highly diverse in size, shape, and number and develop principally from two major body regions: the head and prothorax. We investigate horns in two species of the genus Onthophagus using comparative in situ hybridization, larval RNA interference, and allometric measurements to analyze whether horn formation is regulated by pan and by extension the Wnt pathway. Our results illustrate that pan expression affects beetle horn growth in a species-, sex-, and location-specific manner in two morphologically distinct, yet closely-related, Onthophagus species. genesis 50:404–414, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Network Coding for Wireless and Wired Networks: Design, Performance and Achievable Rates

Many point-to-point communication problems are relatively well understood in the literature. For example, in addition to knowing what the capacity of a point-to-point channel is, we also know how to construct codes that will come arbitrarily close to the capacity of these channels. However, we know very little about networks. For example, we do not know the capacity of the two-way relay channel which consists of only three transmitters. The situation is not so different in the wired networks except special cases like multicasting. To understand networks better, in this thesis we study network coding which is considered to be a promising technique since the time it was shown to achieve the single-source multicast capacity. First we design and analyze deterministic and random network coding schemes for a cooperative communication setup with multiple sources and destinations. We show that our schemes outperform conventional cooperation in terms of the diversity-multiplexing tradeoff (DMT). Specifically, it can offer the maximum diversity order at the expense of a slightly reduced multiplexing rate. We derive the necessary and sufficient conditions to achieve the maximum diversity order. We show that when the parity-check matrix for a systematic maximum distance separable (MDS) code is used as the network coding matrix, the maximum diversity is achieved. We present two ways to generate full-diversity network coding matrices: namely using the Cauchy matrices and the Vandermonde matrices. We also analyze a selection relaying scheme and prove that a multiplicative diversity order is possible with enough number of relay selection rounds. In addition to the above scheme for wireless networks, we also study wired networks, and apply network coding together with interference alignment. We consider networks with K source nodes and J destination nodes with arbitrary message demands. We first consider a
Facilitating Acquisition Integration Through Deep-Level Cultural Learning Interventions: A Longitudinal Field Experiment

In this exploratory study we argue that achieving an effective employee mindset toward acquisition may be less a process of limiting acquisitions to firms with more similar cultures than it is an ability to manage cultural differences through cultural learning. This study is the first to systematically and empirically examine cultural learning interventions as they apply to the post-acquisition integration process. The longitudinal results from a field experiment across three pairs of matched plants indicate that cultural distance between employees from combining firms can be bridged during the early stages of the integration process. Deep-level cultural learning interventions were found to develop constructive employee perceptions and attitudes that are believed to enhance performance in acquisitions requiring human integration to achieve synergies.
Role of glucose in modulating Mg2+ homeostasis in liver cells from starved rats

α1- and β-Adrenoceptor stimulation elicits Mg2+ extrusion from liver cells in conjunction with hepatic glucose output (T. Fagan and A. Romani. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 279: G943–G950...
Securing the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain using RFID

RFID technology has been applied to a number of applications. In [5], a protocol was described how to apply RFID to currency to provide integrity (e.g. reduce counterfeiting) while simultaneously supporting privacy. In this paper we discuss how RFID can be applied to increase integrity in the pharmaceutical supply chain. A secured pharmaceutical supply chain will increase integrity, improve consumer confidence, and aid regulators in tracking pharmaceutical products, thus producing a "pharmaceutical drug pedigree". At the same time privacy will need to be preserved. We provide an analysis of the pharmaceutical supply chain, and propose a security model for the system. Based on the model, we develop a protocol providing drug anti-forgery detection, auto-inventory, privacy protect sale, lawful tracking and authentication, smart medicine chest application, and secure and safe disposal [4]. A privacy enhanced technique [6, 8] is used to enable reliable lawful tracking.
Esters of Gentisic Acid and Their Toxicities: III. Toxicities of New Gentisic Acid Esters

Abstract The acute toxicities of thirteen new esters of gentisic acid and that of gentisic acid have been determined by the intravenous injection of the compounds into white mice. The results are integrated by Behren′s method. The 3-diethylaminopropyl esters of gentisic acid are more toxic generally than the 2x`x-diethylaminoethyl counterparts. The 3-diethylaminopropyl-5-methoxy salicylate hydrochloride is the most toxic of the new esters. The increase in toxicity of the hydrochlorides of the esters of gentisic acid and amino alcohols over gentisic acid apparently is due chiefly to the dialkylaminoalkyl group. Esters of gentisic acid and other carboxylic acids are more toxic than gentisic acid because of the inherent toxicity of the carboxylic acids. These compounds are less toxic than the esters of gentisic acid and amino alcohols because they are less soluble in aqueous media.
Computational Cognitive Neuroscience of the Visual System

Should psychologists care about functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)? Within the field of visual perception, the answer to this question is an emphatic “yes.” There is a long history of close interactions between psychology and neuroscience in the study of vision. In the 1980s, vision researchers developed a general framework for combining the two fields, and that framework still supports much current research. This article will briefly cover this general approach and then will illustrate how neuroimaging allows the framework to be applied to human perception. In short, fMRI can measure how information is represented in sequential stages of processing. These same representations can also be measured behaviorally. Theories of vision specify how the sequential representations participate in well-defined computations that underlie perception.
Can the new humanized mouse model give HIV research a boost.

The "BLT mouse" holds promise for the preclinical evaluation of microbicides and antiretroviral prophylaxis regimens.
Optimized fiber delivery system for Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers

Interest in the transmission of high intensities through optical fibers is being motivated by an increasing number of applications. Using different laser types and fiber materials, various studies are encountering transmission limitations due to laser-induced damage processes. For a number of years we have been investigating these limiting processes during the transmission of Q-switched, multimode, Nd:YAG laser pulses through step-index, multimode, fused- silica fiber. We have found that fiber transmission is often limited by a plasma-forming breakdown occurring at the fiber entrance face. This breakdown can result in subtle surface modifications that leave the entrance face more resistant to further breakdown or damage events. Catastrophic fiber damage can also occur as a result of a variety of mechanisms, with damage appearing at fiber entrance and exit faces, within the initial 'entry' segment of the fiber path, and at other internal sites due to fiber fixturing and routing effects. System attributes that will affect breakdown and damage thresholds include laser characteristics, the design and alignment of laser-to-fiber injection optics, and fiber end-face preparation. In the present work we have combined insights gained in past studies in order to establish what thresholds can be achieved if all system attributes can be optimized to some degree. Our multimode laser utilized past modifications that produced a relatively smooth, quasi-Gaussian profile. The laser-to-fiber injection system achieved a relatively low value for the ratio of peak-to-average fluences at the fiber entrance face, incorporated a mode scrambler to generate a broad mode power distribution within the initial segment of the fiber path, and had improved fixturing to insure that the fiber axis was collinear with the incident laser beam. Test fibers were from a particular production lot for which initial-strength characteristics were established and a high-stress proof test was performed. Fiber end faces were prepared by a careful mechanical polishing schedule followed by surface conditioning using a CO2 laser. In combination, these factors resulted in higher thresholds for breakdown and damage than we had achieved previously in studies that utilized a simple lens injection system. Probability distribution functions were fitted to the threshold data, providing a means for estimating the probability for transmission failure at lower laser energies.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A reliability-aware approach for an optimal checkpoint/restart model in HPC environments

The increase in the physical size of high performance computing (HPC) platform makes system reliability more challenging. In order to minimize the performance loss due to unexpected failures or unnecessary overhead of fault tolerant mechanisms, we present a reliability-aware method for an optimal checkpoint/restart strategy towards minimizing rollback and checkpoint overheads. Our scheme aims to address fault tolerance challenge especially in a large-scale HPC system by providing optimal checkpoint placement techniques that are derived from the actual system reliability. Unlike existing checkpoint models, which can only handle Poisson failure and a constant checkpoint interval, our model can perform a varying checkpoint interval and deal with different failure distributions. In addition, the approach considers optimality for both checkpoint overhead and rollback time. Our validation results suggest a significant improvement over existing techniques.
Benign uterine leiomyoma with vascular involvement. Report of 3 cases.

Abstract Three cases of intravascular extension of leiomyomatous tumor tissue have been presented. Prominent symptoms in these patients were abdominal pain and enlargement and menometrorrhagia. No malignant features other than the aforementioned extensions were noted, and all of the tumors were histologically benign. The tumors can be distinguished from stromal endometriosis by microscopic examination.
Employee Training Programs in U.S. Businesses

According to a recent issue of Training Magazine. U.S. organizations with fifty or more employees spent $32 billion on formal programs for employee training and development. Although human resource managers argue that training is critical for developing a productive workforce, very little is known about how companies make decisions about budgets for formal training and whether such training increases measured labor productivity. Previous research by labor economists on employee training has focused on the impact of training on the individual’s success in the labor market, i.e. how training raises the individual’s wage and reduces the probability of a layoff. Economists have also studied why employers are more likely to train certain individuals than others, and, in particular, have shown that individuals who are expected to stay with the firm are more likely to be the recipients of training. Hence, economic research on training has been concerned with the impact of investments in training on the distribution of earnings. Likewise, research on training by industrial and organizational psychologists has been conducted at the individual level, focusing on the impact of training on the employee’s cognitive skills, work effort, and morale.
The ICTY, its Constituency, and the Politics: The Battle for Hearts and Minds

Based on the seven surveys we conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Kosovo, we explore the views about the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY).Our findings indicate a shift in public opinion concerning the ICTY. Compared to the pre-2003 surveys, the post-2003 surveys reveal substantially more negative attitudes toward the ICTY. The results of our multivariate analyses suggest that the views about the fairness of ICTY decisions, together with the views of procedural fairness and the political impact on the ICTY, are crucial in shaping the overall views of the ICTY and that, perhaps surprisingly, in such a multivariate setting, ethnicity and victimization status do not appear to matter.
Wavelet analysis of polar vortex variability over the twentieth century

Recent increases in extreme weather events in the Northern Hemisphere have been linked to amplified planetary waves. Changes in planetary wave properties are linked to changes in climate; hence, finding a mechanism that links the planetary wave variability under climatic forcing and midlatitude blocking events has engendered a great deal of interest. In this study, wavelet analysis is applied to time series of planetary wave phase speeds at high latitudes as a first step to assessing the potential for identifying these mechanisms in the observational record. A circumpolar multiannual cycle increase is found but signals also demonstrate a complex westward propagation pattern with periods of intense wave variability. Significant correlations between wavelet power at all time scales and albedo, snow cover, atmospheric ozone levels, and surface air temperature are demonstrated.
The Apple 1 and Apple 4 domains of factor XI act synergistically to promote the surface-mediated activation of factor XI by factor XIIa

Binding sites for high molecular weight kininogen (HK) and for factor XIIa are present in the Apple 1 (A1) and the A4 domains of factor XI, respectively. To define the roles of these two sites in surface-mediated factor-XI activation we prepared conformationally constrained synthetic peptides and recombinant A1 domain (rA1) and determined their effects on the activation of factor XI by factor XIIa in the presence of HK and either kaolin or dextran sulfate. Surface-mediated factor-XI activation by factor XIIa was inhibited by a conformationally constrained A4 peptide (Ala317-Gly350), by an A1 peptide (Phe56-Ser86), and by rA1 (Glu1-Ser90). When used in combination at equimolar concentrations, rA1 and A4 peptide were 10-fold more effective than either one alone in inhibiting surface-mediated activation of factor XI by factor XIIa. The A4 peptide was a competitive inhibitor of factor XIIa amidolytic activity and a noncompetitive inhibitor of factor-XI activation by factor XIIa, whereas rA1 and the A1 peptide did not inhibit factor XIIa. The rA1 domain inhibited factor XI binding to HK, whereas the A4 peptide did not. We conclude that specific sequences exposed on the surfaces of the A1 (Val59-Lys83) and A4 (Ala317-Gly350) domains of factor XI act synergistically to promote surface-mediated factor-XI activation by factor XIIa in the presence of HK by binding factor XI to surface-bound HK (A1 domain) and by binding factor XIIa near the cleavage site (Arg369-Ile370) of factor XI (A4 domain).
Some new species of Hypoxylon

The descriptions of the following new species of Hypoxylon are based on specimens sent the writer by Dr. Roland Thaxter and Prof. A. S. Muller, and others of his own collecting. The forms which are given varietal names do not differ from the established species in sufficient characters to warrant specific rank. In most cases they are distinct only in ascospore dimen? sions. This latter character varies considerably with material of different ages, but there is a fairly definite maximum limit. For example, Hypoxylon serpens Pers. ex Fries has ascospores which vary in length from 10 to 15 /x. This species was described from Europe and all material examined there falls within these limits. In America, however, the European form is very com? mon, but occasionally one finds what is apparently the same thing except for the much larger ascospores; that is, between 15 and 20 ix, in length. These variants may be mutants or hybrids, but in view of the present lack of knowledge of inheritance in the fungi, it seems best to give them varietal rank.
Irrationals and the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic

Recent issues of the MONTHLY contain articles [1, 2] that discuss approaches to the irrationality of the square roots of nonsquare natural numbers using arguments designed to avoid any mention of unique factorization. The argument in [2] is incomplete but, as the article points out, the important objective when introducing a topic such as the existence of irrationals is to present arguments that the students find convincing and many students have difficulty with reasoning involving the unique factorization aspect of the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic. The following discussion is designed to give students some appreciation of the significance of the property of unique factorization by considering the "irrationality" of square roots in systems where this property does not hold. Ideally it should come immediately after the presentation of a plausibility argument such as that in [2] showing the students that square roots of primes are irrational. Given a subset A of the natural numbers that is closed under multiplication, we say an element c of A is A-composite provided c = ab where a and b are elements in A with a # 1 and b 0 1. An element c in A is called A-prime provided c 0 1 and c is not A-composite. For example, if A is the set of all multiples of 4, then 16, 48 and 80 are A-composites and 4, 40 and 100 are A-primes. We say a real number x is A-rational provided x can be expressed in the form a/b where a and b are elements of A. Note that each element c in A is A-rational since c can be expressed as C2/C. This is analogous to the fact that every natural number is rational. However, there are properties of the natural numbers that do not extend to any set A. For example, let A be the set of all multiples of 4 and let c 100. Since c is an A-prime, by analogy with the natural numbers its square root should not be A-rational, but Vc = a/b where a = 40 and b = 4. Such a situation is possible since in the set A the number a2 can be factored into A-primes as either a * a or c * b * b. There is nothing special about the multiples of 4 in the above example. A useful exercise is to have each student pick a subset of the natural numbers that is closed under multiplication and investigate the "irrationality" of roots in this system. This serves to illustrate the rarity of the unique factorization property and the crucial role played by this property in the study of algebraic irrationals.
Electrocatalysis of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,5-thiadiazole by 3,4-ethylenedioxy-substituted conducting polymers.

The electronic properties of electropolymerized films of the 3,4-ethylenedioxy-substituted conducting polymers (CP) poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxyselenophene) (PEDOS) have been investigated, along with their electrocatalytic activity toward 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMcT). For the electropolymerized films, the conductivity onset potential was most negative for PEDOP (−1.50 V), followed by PEDOS (−1.35 V) and with PEDOT possessing the most positive onset (−1.15 V). The heterogeneous charge transfer rate constant for DMcT in solution at polymer-film-modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) was studied. It was found that compared to PEDOP, both PEDOS and PEDOT performed better as electrocatalysts, with PEDOS having a heterogeneous charge transfer rate constant of 1.8 × 10–3 cm/s. The film morphology of the electropolymerized films was investigated via SEM, and some film characteristics could be correlated with electrocatalyt...
Competition between shear band nucleation and propagation across rate-dependent flow transitions in a model metallic glass

Abstract Shear transformation zone (STZ) dynamics is used to examine the transition between different regimes of flow serration in the strain rate dependent deformation of metallic glass. To capture the strain rate independent yield strength of Vitreloy 1 at low to moderate strain rates, the model is adapted to include STZ volume and activation energy that decrease with increasing strain rate. The different stages of shear banding are examined in a statistical fashion over six different strain rates ranging from 10 −5 to 10 0 s −1 , with twelve replicates at each strain rate. Examination of flow serration, shear band nucleation rates, propagation rates, and sliding rates in each simulation find support for the hypothesis that the flow transition is caused by high shear band propagation and sliding rates at low strain rates, and high shear band nucleation rates at high strain rates. The underlying cause for the flow transition is hypothesized to be a strain rate dependent critical shear band nucleus size that increases with increasing strain rate. This critical shear band nucleus size results from the strain rate dependent STZ volume and activation energy, in which very small variations can cause a large change in shear banding behavior.
The Genus Lepista

T. LEPISTA PERSONATA (Fries) W. G. Sm. Clavis Agar. 37. I870 ?Agaricus nudus Bull. Herb. Fr. pl. 439. I789. Agaricuis violaceus Sow. Engl. Fung. pI. 209. 1799. Not Agaricus violaceus Schaeff. 1774. Agaricus bicolor Pers. Syn. Fung. 28I. T80I. Not Agaricus bicolor Batsch. 1783. Agaricus personatus Fries, Obs. M\yc. 2: 89. i8i8. Tricholoma personatum Quel. Clhamp. Jura Vosg. 45. 1872. Rhodopaxillus personatus Maire, Ann. Myc. II: 338. I913.
Heart Rate and Energy Expenditure in Division I Field Hockey Players During Competitive Play

Sell, KM and Ledesma, AB. Heart rate and energy expenditure in Division I field hockey players during competitive play. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2122-2128, 2016-The purpose of this study was to quantify energy expenditure and heart rate data for Division I female field hockey players during competitive play. Ten female Division I collegiate field hockey athletes (19.8 ± 1.6 years; 166.4 ± 6.1 cm; 58.2 ± 5.3 kg) completed the Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test to determine maximal heart rate. One week later, all subjects wore a heart rate monitor during a series of 3 matches in an off-season competition. Average heart rate (AvHR), average percentage of maximal heart rate (AvHR%), peak exercise heart rate (PExHR), and percentage of maximal heart rate (PExHR%), time spent in each of the predetermined heart rate zones, and caloric expenditure per minute of exercise (kcalM) were determined for all players. Differences between positions (backs, midfielders, and forwards) were assessed. No significant differences in AvHR, AvHR%, PExHR, PExHR%, and %TM were observed between playing positions. The AvHR% and PExHR% for each position fell into zones 4 (77-93% HRmax) and 5 (>93% HRmax), respectively, and significantly more time was spent in zone 4 compared with zones 1, 2, 3, and 5 across all players (p ≤ 0.05). The kcalM reflected very heavy intensity exercise. The results of this study will contribute toward understanding the sport-specific physiological demands of women's field hockey and has specific implications for the duration and schedule of training regimens.
Carpenter’s Rule Folding in Rigid–Flexible Block Copolymers with Conjugation-Interrupting, Flexible Tethers Between Oligophenylenevinylenes

Rigid–flexible segmented block copolymers were synthesized and characterized as 4.5-oligophenylenevinylene chromophores tethered by flexible, conjugation-interrupting 1,2-ethanedioxy or 1,4-butanedioxy units. The flexible tethers allow the possibility of collapsed order chromophore assemblies within individual polymers by chain folding at specific sites much like an old fashioned, folding carpenter’s rule. Our results indicate that using a short, flexible tether in a rigid–flexible segmented copolymer can result in collapsed rodlike structures as signaled by strongly quenched photoluminescence, even after thermal annealing. Such ability to “program” folding and tertiary structure in conjugated copolymers is important for solid-state organic light emitting materials and understanding of organic chromophore self-assembly.
Neuroprosthetics: Principles and Applications

Design Thinking for Neuroprosthetics Learning Objectives Introduction Design Thinking Inspiration for Neuroprosthetic Design Prototypical Example of Neuroprosthetic Design Thinking Exercise Interfaces to the Brain Learning Objectives Introduction Electrical Interfaces Electrode Design Exercises Electronics for Recording Learning Objectives Introduction Use of Sensors What Is a Signal? What Is Noise? Biopotential Amplifiers Filtering Adaptive Filters Conclusion Exercises Surgical Techniques for Implantation and Explanation of Microelectrode Arrays Learning Objectives Introduction Targeting Surgical Methods for Implantation Surgical Methods for Perfusion Surgical Methods for Explanation Exercises Quantifying Long-Term Electrode Performance Learning Objectives Introduction Morphological Properties Electrical Properties Tissue Properties Holistic Abiotic and Biotic Analysis Conclusion Exercises Neural Decoding Learning Objectives Introduction Evolution of Decoders Extracting Neural Features as Control Signals Examples of Neuroprosthetic Decoders Exercises Principles of Stimulation Learning Objectives Introduction Nerve Responses to Electrical Current Strength-Duration Curves Current Flow Current Types Example Applications Exercises Application: Brain-Actuated Functional Electrical Stimulation for Rehabilitation Learning Objectives Introduction Hand Rehabilitation Strategies Fundamentals of Functional Electrical Stimulation Functional Outcome Measures An Exemplar of Closed-Loop Neuroprosthetic Control of FES Closed-Loop Trials Conclusion Exercises Design of Implantable Neural Interface Systems Learning Objectives Introduction Design Safety Exercises Application: Deep Brain Stimulation for Neuropsychiatric Disorders Learning Objectives Introduction DBS as a Foundational Technology Shifts in Research/Practice Paradigms Second-Generation Experimental Paradigms-Application of DBS for Tourette Syndrome Conclusion Exercise References
Authentication of function queries

Consider a database where each record represents a math function. A third party is in charge of processing queries over this database and we want to provide a mechanism for users to verify the correctness of their query results. Here each query, referred to as a Function Query (FQ), retrieves the functions whose computation results with user-supplied arguments satisfy certain conditions (e.g., within a certain range). We present authentication solutions that work on a variety of functions, including univariate linear function, multivariate linear function, and multivariate high degree function. Our solutions are based on the fact that the functions can be sorted in the subdomains defined by their intersections and thus can be chained to produce a signature mesh for query result verification. We study the performance of the proposed techniques through theoretical analysis, simulation and empirical study, and include the results in this paper.