cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autoionization in a fluctuating electric field

A simple model of autoionization in a fluctuating electric field is proposed and solved for the ionization rate. The fluctuating electric field can be a microfield in a plasma. Both dilute and dense plasmas are considered. Explicit expressions for broadening the Fano profile are derived and discussed in both cases, and particularly simple results are obtained in the impact limit.
High-efficiency replicated diffractive optics

Diffractive optics technology offers optical system designers new degrees of freedom that can be used to optimize the performance of optical systems. The zone spacing of a diffractive lens can be chosen to impart focusing power as well as aspheric correction to the emerging wavefront. The surface (or blaze) profile within a given zone determines the diffraction efficiency of the element, or in other words, determines how the incident energy is distributed among the various diffraction orders. Unless the zone profile is generated with high fidelity, incident energy will be distributed into extraneous diffraction orders, which generally reduces the optical system performance. Several diffractive optical components have been fabricated using replication techniques that provide high-efficiency and accurate wavefront generation. Typical minimum efficiency measurements at the design wavelength for diffractive zone spacings greater than 10 micrometers are 95% or above. For minimum zone features as small as 5 micrometers , the measured efficiency is greater than 85% at the design wavelength. The integrated diffraction efficiency, which is a weighted measure of the efficiency across the clear aperture, is typically 2 - 3% more than the efficiency measurement at the minimum feature.
Effect of Low‐Calcium‐Requiring Calcium Activated Factor on Myofibrils under Varying pH and Temperature Conditions

The effect of low-calcium-requiring calcium-activated factor (μM CAF) on the myofibrils under varying pH at 5°C and 25°C was examined spectrophotometrically (absorbance at 278 nm), electrophoretically (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), and microscopically (phase microscopy and transmission electron microscopy). Results indicated that at conditions similar to those of postmortem storage (i.e., pH 5.5–5.8 and 5°C), μM CAF retained 24–28% of its maximum activity (pH 7.5 at 25°C). This 24–28% of maximum activity was sufficient to reproduce most of the known changes associated with the tenderization process during postmortem aging. It was concluded that because of the activity of μM CAF under postmortem conditions, it seems reasonable to suggest that μM CAF may be responsible, in part, for some of the postmortem changes observed.
A Comparison of Usa and New Zealand Patients' Requests and Clinicians Understanding of Patients' Requests

This study compares USA and New Zealand psychiatric patients' requests at the initial psychiatric interview and examines clinician's accuracy in estimating patients' treatment request preferences. Eighty-five of the 146 consecutive nonacute patients to the psychiatric unit of a public New Zealand hospital completed a 14-item Patient Request Form before their initial interview and their clinician completed an equivalent form at the end of the interview. Patients' treatment request preferences were similar in the USA and New Zealand samples as were clinician's tendency to underestimate the importance their patients placed on requests. The results are discussed in relation to effective treatment planning.
Stimulation of prostaglandin E2 production in amnion cells in culture by a substance(s) in human fetal and adult urine.

A protein or protein-associated substance(s) in human fetal urine effects a 10- to 600-fold increase in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis by human amnion cells maintained in monolayer culture; the increase in PGE2 synthesis is maximal by 12 h. Fetal urine did not cause a similar increase in PGE2 synthesis in cells derived from other human tissues tested. A similar PGE2 synthesis-stimulatory activity is present in adult urine and the activity in adult urine is correlated inversely (p < 0.001) with creatinine concentration. These findings are suggestive that a substance produced in, or excreted by, kidney acts to induce PGE2 synthesis in a tissue-specific manner.
Horseshoes in perturbations of Hamiltonian systems with two degrees of freedom

This paper concerns Hamiltonian and non-Hamiltonian perturbations of integrable two degree of freedom Hamiltonian systems which contain homoclinic and periodic orbits. Our main example concerns perturbations of the uncoupled system consisting of the simple pendulum and the harmonic oscillator. We show that small coupling perturbations with, possibly, the addition of positive and negative damping breaks the integrability by introducing horseshoes into the dynamics.
Episcopalians and Race: Civil War to Civil Rights

This work examines the often ambivalent relationship between the predominantly white leadership of the Episcopal Church and black communities in the century leading up to and including the civil rights movement.
Body Mass Index-Mortality Paradox in Hemodialysis Patients Blood Pressure, Blood Volume, and Nutritional Status

See related article, pp 1014–1020 In the general population, there is a clear association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality.1 However, in hemodialysis patients, a number of clinical studies have demonstrated that BMI is inversely related to mortality.2,3 The explanation for this interesting paradox is unknown. In this edition of the journal, Agarwal4 conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 368 dialysis patients in his practice where he determined BMI and gathered demographic and clinical factors. In addition, he used ambulatory blood pressure monitoring after the first or midweek hemodialysis session for 44 hours and measured 2D and M-mode echocardiograms and inferior vena cava diameter. During a total of 1122 patient-years of cumulative follow-up (median: 2.7 years), 119, or 32%, of these patients died.4 He observed an inverse relationship between the prevalence of hypertension and poor control, with BMI. Moreover, patients with lower BMI had greater left ventricular mass index, and greater evidence of extracellular fluid volume excess. Leaner patients had accelerated mortality in the first 2 years of follow-up, which he noted was not completely explained by blood pressure, left ventricular mass index, …
Data Set---Real-World Multiechelon Supply Chains Used for Inventory Optimization

This data set describes 38 multiechelon supply chains that have been implemented in practice. These chains exhibit special structure that can be used to inform and test analytical models. Although the data were not collected with the intention of econometric analysis, they may be useful in an empirical study. The data described in this paper are publicly available at the journal's website (http://msom.pubs.informs.org/ecompanion.html).
Warm springs reduce parasitism of the cereal leaf beetle through phenological mismatch

Variation in weather among years may affect biological control of insect pests by influencing how well matched in phenology specialist parasitoids are with their pest hosts. A 10-year study in western North America (Utah) revealed greater change with warm versus cool springs in the life cycle timing of the cereal leaf beetle (CLB), Oulema melanopus (L.), than of its principal enemy, the parasitoid wasp Tetrastichus julis (Walker). The beetle laid eggs, and larval populations developed in crop fields earlier on a calendar-day basis, but nonetheless after more degree-days had accumulated, in warmer than in cooler springs. The phenology of parasitism by wasps, in contrast, varied little among springs in relation to accumulated degree-days. Consequently, in warmer springs, larval phenology of the CLB was delayed relative to adult parasitoid activity, and parasitism was reduced. Presently, a significant degree of biological control of the CLB results from parasitism by T. julis. By promoting phenological mismatch between host and parasitoid, however, a warming climate could weaken this biological control of the insect pest.
Comparative TFIIS-mediated transcript cleavage by mammalian RNA polymerase II arrested at a lesion in different transcription systems.

Abstract Upon prolonged arrest at a cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD), RNAPII can reverse-translocate, misaligning the 3′-end of the RNA from its active site. Transcription factor SII (TFIIS) is required for cleavage of the disengaged 3′-end and restoration of its correct positioning. We have previously shown in vitro that when RNAPII is arrested at a CPD, TFIIS-induced cleavage results in shortened transcripts. Here, we hypothesized that the pattern of transcript cleavage does not depend solely upon TFIIS itself, but also on some other general transcription factors (GTFs) and/or their effects on RNAPII. To test this hypothesis we compared three in vitro transcription systems which differ with respect to the mode of initiation and the requirement for GTFs. The first consisted of RNAPII and GTFs from rat liver, and required a eukaryotic promoter for initiation. The other two supported transcription in the absence of any GTFs or promoter sequences. In each case, a CPD on the transcribed strand was a complete block for RNAPII translocation. However, the effect of TFIIS on transcript cleavage varied. In the promoter-initiated system, distinct transcripts up to about 20 nucleotides shorter than the uncleaved original one were produced. In the other two systems, the transcripts were degraded nearly completely. Introduction of GTFs partially interfered with cleavage, but failed to reproduce the pattern of transcript lengths observed with the promoter-initiated system. Our results suggest that the extent of TFIIS-mediated transcript cleavage is a well-orchestrated process, depending upon other factors (or their effects on RNAPII), in addition to TFIIS itself.
A hybrid surrogate and pattern search optimization method and application to microelectronics

A hybrid method for robust and efficient optimization process is developed by integrating a new response surface method and pattern search algorithm. The method is based on: (1) multipoint approximations of the objective and constraint functions, (2) a multiquadric radial basis function (RBF) for the zeroth-order function approximation and a new RBF plus polynomial-based moving least-squares approximation for the first-order enhanced function approximation, and (3) a pattern search algorithm to impose a descent condition and applied adaptive subregion management strategy. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed method for both function approximation and design optimization. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid method, it is applied to obtain optimum designs of a microelectronic packaging system. A two-stage optimization approach is proposed for the design optimization. The material properties of microelectronic packaging system and the shape parameters of solder ball are selected as design variables. Through design optimization, significant improvements of durability performances are obtained using the proposed hybrid optimization method.
An Ecological Perspective of Power in Transformational Learning: A Case Study of Ethical Vegans

Critics have argued for a better understanding of power in transformational learning. This study explored the power of normative ideologies in the transformational learning of ethical vegans. The findings indicate that Mezirow's transformation theory does not adequately account for power relations in this case of transformational learning, power was central to the transformational learning of ethical vegans, relations of power operated across interrelated scales of organization and time, normative ideologies regulated emancipatory praxis over time, and transformational learning should be viewed from a more holistic perspective.
Plasma Intercellular Adhesion Molecule‐1 and von Willebrand Factor in Primary Graft Dysfunction After Lung Transplantation

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD), a form of acute lung injury occurring within 72 h following lung transplantation, is characterized by pulmonary edema and diffuse alveolar damage. We hypothesized that higher concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) would be associated with the occurrence of PGD. A total of 128 lung transplant recipients among 7 lung transplant centers were enrolled in a multicenter, prospective, cohort study. Blood specimens were collected preoperatively and at 6, 24, 48 and 72 h following lung transplantation. The primary outcome was Grade 3 PGD at 72 h after transplant. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to analyze plasma ICAM-1 and vWF. At each postoperative timepoint, mean plasma ICAM-1 concentrations were higher for patients with PGD versus no PGD. The GEE contrast estimate for the association of plasma ICAM-1 with PGD was 107.5 ng/mL (95% CI 38.7, 176.3), p = 0.002. In the multivariate analyses, this finding was independent of all clinical variables except pulmonary artery pressures prior to transplant. There was no association between plasma vWF levels and PGD. We conclude that higher levels of plasma ICAM-1 are associated with PGD following lung transplantation.
Directing Protons to the Dioxygen Ligand of a Ruthenium(II) Complex with Pendent Amines in the Second Coordination Sphere

A side-on Ru–O₂ complex with pendent amines in the ligand backbone has been synthesized to model proton delivery in O₂ reduction (see scheme and structure; red O, purple Ru, blue N, yellow P). Protonation occurs at the amine near the O₂ ligand, forming a hydrogen bond between the ammonium ion and the O₂ ligand, leading to a small increase in O-O bond length.
Use of Marginal-Quality Waters for Sustainable Crop Production

Existing high-quality water supplies are not sufficient to sustain irrigated agricultural production in arid and semiarid regions. Use of marginal-quality waters and reuse of agricultural drainage waters and treated municipal wastewaters are currently the only economic options for maintaining production in these regions. Marginal-quality waters are characterized by one or more of the following: elevated salinity, sodicity, pH, alkalinity, dissolved organic matter, and toxic elements such as boron and selenium. These water characteristics have a potentially adverse impact on crop productivity as well as soil physical properties. However, these waters can generally be used with proper management considerations. Model simulations of irrigation with saline waters confirm field data indicating that existing leaching guidelines overestimate water quantities needed for salinity control in the root zone. Leaching recommendations must also consider efficient water use, costs of water, nutrients, and disposal of drainage water as well as crop production. The sodicity hazard associated with application of saline water has been generally overlooked, due primarily to lack of consideration of the adverse impact of even small quantities of rain on physical properties of the soil surface. Recent long-term studies on infiltration of degraded waters indicate that the sodicity hazard to soil physical properties is greater than currently considered and that surface addition of gypsum may need to be more generally utilized. The utility of computer modeling as an aid to irrigation management is further demonstrated by the simulation of intermittent use of high-boron waters currently deemed unsuitable for irrigation. Future salinity research is critical to meet food demands of arid and semiarid regions of the world, especially for development of new varieties improving the salt and boron tolerance of sensitive species and improved prediction of plant production under multiple stress conditions (salinity water nutrient and toxic element).
Theoretical analysis of two-area interconnected system tie-line power oscillation

The tie-line power oscillation of two-area interconnected system after power impact is derived strictly. The dynamic equations before the disturbance and after the disturbance are constructed and the variation of the tie-line power is derived. Based on the theory of distribution of impact power in power systems, the tie-line power of two-area system after power impact is derived. The expressions of power oscillation and the peak power in the first swing are obtained. The numerical simulations and the generator tripping contingency analysis of North China-Central China interconnected system validate the result.
Temperature Control In Wafer-level Testing Of Large Multi-segment Electromigration Test Structures

The paper describes two methods for maintaining a constant metallization temperature throughout a wafer-level isothermal electromigration test of large multisegment test structures where Joule-heating is high and chip to chuck thermal contact is poor. In the first method, an initial calibration of Joule heating versus metal temperature is carried out. During the isothermal electromigration test, the Joule heating is continuously monitored and the chuck temperature is adjusted based on the calibration results to maintain a constant metal temperature. In the second method, temperature sensors are fabricated on the chip and then the sensors are used to monitor the chip temperature directly. The chuck temperature is then adjusted as needed.
Directionalwavelet transform for image denoising

This paper introduces a technique for image denoising based on the one-dimensional wavelet transform computed along several directions on the image. Denoising is implemented using either adaptive or non-adaptive thresholding of the wavelet coefficients. This directional wavelet transform technique was inspired on ridgelet and curvelet transforms. We explore redundancy of the wavelet transform and its property to easily detect singularities to remove noise without smearing the edges in the image. Denoising is improved at increased computational cost. Our denoising technique provides better results than methods like undecimated two dimensional wavelet transform and curvelet transforms, and comparable results to wavelet-based hidden Markov tree method.
Repetitive control with Prandtl-Ishlinskii hysteresis inverse for piezo-based nanopositioning

Repetitive control (RC) is a feedback-based approach useful for tracking periodic reference trajectories, for example in scanning applications. The major challenges with RC include closed-loop stability, robustness, and minimizing the steady-state tracking error. In piezo-based nanopositioning systems, the hysteresis effect can limit the performance of RC designed based on a linear dynamics model. An enhanced discrete-time repetitive controller is combined with an inverse-hysteresis compensator based on the Prandtl-Ishlinskii (P-I) model for hysteresis. The feasibility of the inverse model and the performance of the RC system with the inverse compensator are investigated experimentally. Measured results from a flexure-guided nanopositioner show that hysteresis compensation leads to improvement in the stability margin and rate of convergence of the tracking error for the closed-loop RC system. For scanning at 25 Hz, the maximum tracking error is 1.72%.
Intraarticular distal radius fracture.

A twenty-eight-year-old mason fell from a ladder sustaining an intraarticular distal radius fracture to his dominant right wrist. He is neurologically intact and has moderate swelling.
Clinical review: Oxygen as a signaling molecule

Molecular oxygen is obviously essential for conserving energy in a form useable for aerobic life; however, its utilization comes at a cost - the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS can be highly damaging to a range of biological macromolecules, and in the past the overproduction of these short-lived molecules in a variety of disease states was thought to be exclusively toxic to cells and tissues such as the lung. Recent basic research, however, has indicated that ROS production - in particular, the production of hydrogen peroxide - plays an important role in both intracellular and extracellular signal transduction that involves diverse functions from vascular health to host defense. The present review summarizes oxygen's capacity, acting through its reactive intermediates, to recruit the enzymatic antioxidant defenses, to stimulate cell repair processes, and to mitigate cellular damage.
Visual panel: virtual mouse, keyboard and 3D controller with an ordinary piece of paper

This paper presents a vision-based interface system, VISUAL PANEL, which employs an arbitrary quadrangle-shaped panel (e.g., an ordinary piece of paper) and a tip pointer (e.g., fingertip) as an intuitive, wireless and mobile input device. The system can accurately and reliably track the panel and the tip pointer. The panel tracking continuously determines the projective mapping between the panel at the current position and the display, which in turn maps the tip position to the corresponding position on the display. By detecting the clicking and dragging actions, the system can fulfill many tasks such as controlling a remote large display, and simulating a physical keyboard. Users can naturally use their fingers or other tip pointers to issue commands and type texts. Furthermore, by tracking the 3D position and orientation of the visual panel, the system can also provide 3D information, serving as a virtual joystick, to control 3D virtual objects.
ON THE FACTOR STRUCTURE OF THE PERSONALITY RESEARCH FORM-E

S2immary.-Contrary to Jackson's 1974 theoretical conceptualization of the factors underlying the Personality Research Form-E, later in 1985 Fowler found a nurturance factor but not an achievement factor. A major problem may be the predominantly female sample in Fowler's study. This study replicated Fowler's using a sample with equal proportions of men and women. Among other dungs, analyses yielded an achievement factor and not a nurturance factor. Implications of the results were discussed.
Characterization of a Monoclonal Antibody Recognizing the Blastemal Element of Wilms' Tumors and Fetal Kidneys

A blastema-associated antigen (BLA-1) was detected using a monoclonal antibody against malignant blastema from a Wilms' tumor. The localization of BLA-1 was investigated in a series of nine Wilms' cases, five fetal, one childhood, and two adult kidneys. In this series, BLA-1 antibody consistently stained cell surfaces of all Wilms' tumors containing blastemal components. The same staining pattern was maintained in tumors grown as heterotransplants in nude mice. The expression of BLA-1 antigen was examined in normal blastema of fetal kidneys. BLA-1 was immunolocalized to condensed blastemal cells in the nephrogenic zone throughout gestation. In addition, kidney samples from a young child or adults contained no blastemal cells and therefore showed no blastemal cell surface staining. Glomerular mesangial cell staining was demonstrated in kidneys from 12 weeks of gestation through adulthood. This staining in developing and mature glomeruli implies that mesangial cells may be derived from condensed blastemal cells. The finding of a cell surface antigen common to Wilms' blastema, fetal blastema, and mesangial cells has not been previously demonstrated.
Community Resilience: An Indicator of Social Sustainability

Change is a constant force, in nature and in society. Research suggests that resilience pertains to the ability of a system to sustain itself through change via adaptation and occasional transformation. This article is based on the premises that communities can develop resilience by actively building and engaging the capacity to thrive in an environment characterized by change, and that community resilience is an important indicator of social sustainability. Community resilience, as defined herein, is the existence, development, and engagement of community resources by community members to thrive in an environment characterized by change, uncertainty, unpredictability, and surprise. The U.S. Roundtable on Sustainable Forests commissioned a research project to develop a theoretically and empirically based definition of community resilience as well as an associated measurement instrument. In this article, the research is presented, the emergent definition and dimensions of community resilience are posited, ...
Base stacking in A fluorescent dinucleoside monophosphate: εApεA

The optical properties of the 1,N6 - etheno derivative of ApA (eApeA) have been studied. Absorbance and CD measurements suggest that (1) neutral salts tend to unstack this molecule and (2) the stacking interaction is weaker than in ApA. eApeA is found to be quenched strongly with respect to the monomer. (eAMP); this quenching is solvent dependent (1M NaCl > 5M NaClo4>40%glycerol) and increases with the ratio of temperature to viscosity (T/η) in each case. Fluorescence lifetime measurements also reveal a temperature- and solvent-dependent decay which is nonlinear on a semilog plot. In the presence of 95% glycerol, this decay return to linearity. These data have been considered from two points of view: (1) two-state pictures which are based on thermodynamic least-squares fit to quatum yield and CD curves, together with two exponential fits to the decay curves and (2) a dynamical model in which relatives fluorophore motion leads to deexcitation via intramolecular collision. A simple model of type (2) gives qualitative agreement with the observed behavior.
Associative learning mediates dynamic shifts in dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens

The ability to predict favorable outcomes using environmental cues is an essential part of learned behavior. Dopamine neurons in the midbrain encode such stimulus-reward relationships in a manner consistent with contemporary learning models, but it is unclear how encoding this translates into actual dopamine release in target regions. Here, we sampled dopamine levels in the rat nucleus accumbens on a rapid (100 ms) timescale using electrochemical technology during a classical conditioning procedure. Early in conditioning, transient dopamine-release events signaled a primary reward, but not predictive cues. After repeated cue-reward pairings, dopamine signals shifted in time to predictive cue onset and were no longer observed at reward delivery. In the absence of stimulus-reward conditioning, there was no shift in the dopamine signal. Consistent with proposed roles in reward prediction and incentive salience, these results indicate that rapid dopamine release provides a reward signal that is dynamically modified by associative learning.
Effectiveness of Call-Broadcast Surveys for Breeding Marsh Birds Along Coastal Alabama

Point-count surveys targeting Ixobrychus exilis (Least Bittern), Later- allus jamaicensis (Black Rail), Rallus longirostris (Clapper Rail), Rallus elegans (King Rail), Porphyrio martinica (Purple Gallinule), and Gallinula chloropus (Common Moorhen) were performed using a standardized marsh-bird monitoring protocol along tidally infl uenced emergent marshes of coastal Alabama during the 2004 breeding season. We compared the number of target species detected during an initial passive-listening period to those detected during a subsequent multiple- species call-broadcast period to evaluate the effectiveness of the call-broadcast period for increasing detections. Additionally, we examined the number of responses of each target species to conspecifi c and heterospecifi c calls to determine how marsh birds respond to multiple species call-broadcast sequences. Numbers of new individ- uals detected during call-broadcast periods were signifi cantly greater (P < 0.05) than those detected during the initial passive-listening period for Clapper Rail, King Rail, and Purple Gallinule, but not for Least Bittern and Common Moorhen. Black Rails were not detected during this study. Conspecifi c calls were more effective at eliciting responses than heterospecifi c calls for each of the target species except Least Bittern. Although the calls of Clapper Rail and King Rail are very similar, our data indicate that the advertisement calls of both species should be incorporated within multiple species call-broadcast sequences where populations are sympatric. We also recom- mend that Purple Gallinule call-broadcasts be applied to marsh-bird inventories or monitoring programs throughout this species' range as a result of its effectiveness, which was previously uncertain.
Evaluating an Elevated Screening PSA Test

Test Characteristics The operating characteristics of the PSA test for prostate cancer screening depend on the definition of disease. The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), a large study that obtained biopsies on men regardless of PSA level, provides the most relevant data. Twenty-two percent of PCPT participants had prostate cancer, and approximately onequarter of these men had a Gleason score of at least 7.1 Men at average risk have an approximate 3% probability of dying of prostate cancer.2 At a PSA threshold greater than 4.0 ng/mL, PSAwas 20.5% sensitive and 93.8% specific when any histologic prostate cancer was considered disease.1 However, cancersthatarewell-differentiatedare indolentandgenerallydonotneed early detection. If only cancerswith aGleason score of at least 7 are considereddisease, then sensitivity increases to40.4%, and specificitywouldbe90.0%.ThePCPT investigatorshavepublisheda risk calculator thatuses race/ethnicity, age,PSA level, familyhistory,DRE result, and history of prostate biopsy to estimate the probability of high-grade(Gleason 7)andlow-grade(Gleason<7)prostatecancer.3 There is no absolute threshold for considering a biopsy based on a specific PSA level or the estimated risk of prostate cancer from the calculator. In the European Randomized Study of Prostate Cancer Screening, the trial that found a significant reduction in prostate cancer mortality with screening, a testing frequency of every 4 years and a biopsy threshold of at least 3.0 ng/mL was generally used.4 Modeling studies suggest that with biennial testing, a biopsy threshold of greater than 4.0 ng/mL is associated with a slightly higher probability of prostate cancer death than lower thresholds but with a reduced risk of false-positive results.5 Another reasonable approach is to use the estimated probabilities from the PCPT calculator in a shared decision-making process with men facing the biopsy decision.6 In the Prostate Cancer Intervention vs Observation Trial, a prespecified subgroup analysis suggested radical prostatectomy was associated with lower mortality among participants with a baseline PSA level of greater than 10 ng/mL when compared with men with lower PSA levels. This finding implies the PSA level at which prostate cancers (those needing and amenable to curative treatment) progress beyond curability may be higher than the commonly used threshold of greater than 4 ng/mL.7 HOWDOYOU INTERPRETTHESERESULTS?
Abstract 125: Inflammatory Markers Influence Microembolization in Patients Undergoing Carotid Interventions

INTRODUCTION: Despite the use of embolic protection and improvement in surgical technique for carotid interventions, perioperative cerebral microembolization is still relatively common. Susceptibility to microembolization is largely uncontrolled and the effects remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that inflammation may play a role in this process and sought to identify plasma markers predicting embolization in patients undergoing carotid interventions. METHODS: Patients scheduled for carotid interventions at an academic center were prospectively recruited to the study. MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was performed prior to and within 48 hours following the procedure and used to identify new cerebral microemboli. Blood samples were collected at the time of intervention prior to carotid interrogation (Pre) and at 24 hours following intervention (Post). Plasma was isolated and analyzed by a 27-plex Luminex assay. The assay was performed in triplicate and Significance Analysis of Microarrays (S...
Nivolumab: Immunotherapy in Malignant Melanoma

Background Although patients diagnosed with melanoma that is confined to the skin have a five-year survival rate of 98%, this number drops to 16% with widely metastatic disease. Melanoma rates have been steadily increasing since the 1970s, but cytotoxic chemotherapy generally prolongs survival by about four months. Nivolumab is an effective immunotherapy agent. Objectives This article discusses the use of nivolumab for metastatic melanoma. Methods Clinical trial and early postmarketing data were reviewed. Findings In clinical trials, patients with advanced melanoma experienced partial sustained responses to nivolumab, a new targeted immunotherapy agent, for more than one year. Nivolumab helps the immune system mobilize lymphocytes that have been inactivated by melanoma cells, enhancing the body's ability to recognize the cancer as abnormal. Compared to conventional chemotherapy, nivolumab has been shown to greatly improve survival in widespread, inoperable malignant melanoma. Oncology nurses will administer, monitor, and educate patients about nivolumab.
The TEG-3 Geopotential Model

A new solution for the static geopotential, TEG-3, complete to 70×70 in spherical harmonics, has been obtained. The solution represents one of the latest efforts to improve the Earth’s gravity model. The solution was obtained by combining inhomogeneous satellite and in situ data sets, and by simultaneously estimating the relative weights for individual satellite data sets. Data from over 20 satellites and terrestrial surface gravity data were used in the latest solution. The satellite data include groundbased satellite laser and radiometric (Doris and Tranet) tracking data, spaceborne GPS, and radar altimeter measurements. Analysis indicates that TEG-3 provides an incremental improvement in overall satellite orbit determination when compared with recent models, including JGM-3, GRIM4C4, and EGM96. In particular, notable improvement has been achieved for TEG-3 in reducing geographically-correlated gravity errors for orbit determination of altimetric satellites (Geosat and ERS-1). Error analysis indicates that there is no notable improvement in marine geoid accuracy in TEG-3 as compared to JGM-3, while the EGM-96 model represents an improvement in the marine geoid accuracy as indicated by comparing with ground-truth measurements (Levitus 94 hydrography) and mean topography from numerical ocean circulation model simulations (POCM_4B).
Origin of Oxidation and Support-Induced Structural Changes in Pd4 Clusters Supported on TiO2

Theoretical first-principles studies of the effect of oxidation on the atomic and electronic structure of a Pd4 cluster and the nature of cluster support interactions have been carried out by investigating a Pd4 cluster deposited on a rutile TiO2(110) surface. Our studies based on a gradient-corrected density functional approach indicate that the deposited Pd4 has a compact ground state with an energetically close pseudoplanar structure that is expected to coexist with the ground state. The compact ground state undergoes a transition to a planar structure upon the absorption of a single O atom. The addition of a second O, however, generates two different structures: (1) a pseudoplanar structure where a Pd site mediates the interaction between the two O atoms, and (2) an energetically more stable species with a planar Pd4 structure and O in a “spillover” mode. Experimental evidence supporting this spillover O is discussed. Detailed analysis of the electronic states and charge densities reveals that the int...
Men of the World: Casualties of Empire Building

Naturalization processes illustrated how relationships with workmates, spouses and kin integrated migrants into local society. The many lives of Robert Shaumann provide a vivid example of such informal incorporation. Originally from the Baltic port of Memel, Robert Shaumann gradually metamorphosed into Robert Sherman, birthplace South Shields, during a lengthy seafaring career. Born in 1848 or 1849 according to various documents, Robert Sherman stood 5 feet 4 1/2 inches tall and had blue eyes and black hair, or 5 feet 5 inches with brown hair. His earliest discharge papers, dating from the 1860s, identified their holder as Robert Schaumann or Heinrich Schaumann, born in Memel, then in Prussia. He sailed several times out of Memel to Dublin, Quebec, Bordeaux, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Swinemunde, Dunkirchen and Birkenhead in the Mersey.1 From 1870 Robert Schaumann or Schaman began sailing out of British ports, and in the course of 56 subsequent voyages between 1870 and 1913 reported birth in Sweden in 1870–73, Memel in 1873–74, in Germany as Robert Shamman in 1875, in Memel and Sweden in 1876 and in London in 1877–78. During 21 voyages between 1879 and 1889, he was born in Stockholm, Sweden or Memel. Robert Sherman first claimed birth in South Shields in 1890, and more or less permanently assumed this name, which he had been using intermittently since 1877.
Robert Rosenblum, Transformations in Late Eighteenth-Century Art

(1967). Robert Rosenblum, Transformations in Late Eighteenth-Century Art. Art Journal: Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 108, 110.
Development of a predictive model to estimate permeability of dense-graded asphalt mixture based on volumetrics

Abstract Asphalt mixtures with a coarser gradation typically provide greater rutting resistance due to a better structural network to resist shear, but they may present other issues, such as higher permeability. Increased permeability can facilitate water intrusion, which makes the pavement more vulnerable to moisture damage, stripping and erosion of unbound bases. Also, higher permeability promotes oxidation of asphalt binder, which may result in increased brittleness and susceptibility to cracking. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model to estimate permeability of dense-graded asphalt mixture based on volumetrics. Eight Superpave mixtures were prepared: 9.5-mm fine and coarse graded, 12.5-mm coarse, 19-mm fine and coarse, 25-mm fine and 37.5-mm fine and coarse. Four target air void contents were defined for each mixture: 4%, 7%, 9% and 11%. Permeability tests were conducted using a falling head device according to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) procedure FM 5-565. Permeability increased with air void content and nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS); however, the effect of gradation was not conclusive as the primary control sieve point insufficiently defined gradation coarseness. In addition, voids filled with asphalt (VFA) exhibited a great correlation with permeability. Furthermore, two separate predictive models for 37.5-mm and 9.5 to 25-mm NMAS mixes were successfully developed based on regression analyses. These models provide a valuable decision tool to validate mixtures at a design stage on the basis of maximum permeability thresholds established by highway agencies.
Source Control and Graft Preservation Using Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with Antibiotic Instillation: A Case Report.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely used to treat many types of complex wounds, and the advent of the instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) technique has enhanced this system with the addition of automated treatment with topical solutions. In the field of vascular surgery, NPWT is utilized to help close wounds over underlying grafts; however keeping these wounds free of infection and avoiding large reoperation when infection occurs remains a challenge. In this case report we present a patient who required acute intervention for limb ischemia, with a large wound created in the groin for anastomosis of a prosthetic graft bypass. Postoperatively, the wound became infected, and the challenge became balancing infection control and graft preservation with the patient’s multiple comorbidities including postoperative non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). To avoid a large reoperation, we chose NPWTi-d with automated instillation of an antibiotic solution. There was no reinfection or return to the operating room (OR), the patient was discharged after four weeks and the wound closed on its own shortly thereafter. This case demonstrates that for high-risk surgical patients with known wound infections in the proximity of a bypass graft, NPWTi-d with antibiotic instillation may be an effective augmentation to current treatment strategies and may be considered as a stand-alone technique for wound closure in select cases.
Application of the Conservation Element and Solution Element Method in Numerical Modeling of Three-Dimensional Heat Conduction With Melting and/or Freezing

The conservation element and solution element (CE/SE) method, an accurate and efficient explicit numerical method for resolving moving discontinuities in fluid mechanics problems, is used to solve three-dimensional phase change problems. Several isothermal phase change cases are studied and comparisons are made to existing analytical solutions. The CE/SE method is found to be accurate, robust and efficient for the numerical modeling of phase change problems.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Replanteando el futuro de la ciudad americana: ¿hacia una agenda de habitabilidad?

espanolEste texto reflexiona en el esfuerzo producido durante los ultimos cuarenta anos en los Estados Unidos de re-estructurar la planificacion de la ciudad-region y conseguir un modelo de urbanismo basado en indicadores de calidad de vida, indicadores de sostenibilidad y ultimamente, intentar crear una aportacion social para fomentar un nuevo modelo de habitabilidad (livability). Aunque existen ejemplos bastante variables en diferentes estados del pais, es evidente que el urbanismo basado en indices de calidad de vida ha producido una mejora considerable en el caracter fisico y social de las ciudades de los Estados Unidos. Pero esto se ha conseguido a base de consumir una cantidad de recursos exorbitantes. Evidentemente, el movimiento de crear un urbanismo basado en indices de sostenibilidad, a pesar de su amplia discusion, ha tenido pocos resultados. La trayectoria del urbanismo sostenible basado en politicas urbanas que impongan leyes integrantes para reducir el consumo de recursos y energia no renovable por ejemplo, no ha podido superar, en la mayoria de los casos, la apatia general de cambiar los habitos y actitudes inherentes en la estructura social vigente. El nuevo modelo de habitabilidad implica la necesidad de asumir un cambio personal y cultural que pueda producir un alcance similar de calidad de vida u1bana y regional dentro de las realidades que implican una reduccion considerable en el indice de consuncion de huella ecologica usada actualmente. EnglishThis article reflects on the efforts made in the United States during the past forty years in creating a system of urban and regional planning based on utilizing quality-of-life indicators as the guiding logic, followed by a second period of planning efforts marked by the new concerns with attaining greater compliance with goals and implementation strategies that center on the idea of sustainable urban and regional planning. While there are significant differences in the level of quality-of-life achieved by different regions throughout the county, it is clear that the physical character and quality-of-life in many North American cities have improved considerably. Yet, this achievement has manifested in a vast increase in the consumption of land and non-renewable resources. It is evident that the movement toward a sustainable urbanism, despite its colloquial acceptability, has produced minimal results in the country al large. The path toward a sustainable urbanism based on implementing sound planning and land use policies has not been able to surpass the general social apathy to change the individual and collective attitudes inherent in our cultural life styles. The new call for the 21st century is based on new measures of achieving a level of livability -a sustainable quality-of-life based on a widespread and well informed public involvement that assume the responsibility to, and the possibility of, changing our existing life styles demanding better urban and regional planning models that are fitting with the necessities of curving significantly our ecological footprint as presently utilized.
What makes physicians go the extra mile to urge patients to quit tobacco

B11 Physicians’ interest in their patients’ tobacco use has improved significantly. However, given the critical importance of the advice and assistance they give their patients, it is necessary to determine what makes physicians go beyond the basic asking and advising tobacco users and take an active role in preventing or controlling tobacco use. This study was conducted to assess physicians’ clinical practices, level of involvement, and attitudes related to tobacco use. Methods: In the summer of 2003, a 35-question mail survey was fully completed and returned by 834 of 1,750 (52.5%) East Texas physicians. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore factors associated with the level of involvement in tobacco use cessation and prevention. Results: More than 50% of respondents reported always asking about smoking; 40% always provided advice; and the vast majority advised when the patient had symptoms (81%) or questions (87%). Only 46% of respondents advised when patients had no symptoms or question and only 26% always prescribed medication for those wanting to quit - and very few referred those patients to a quitting hotline. Receiving training on tobacco issues influenced their attitudes, but did not directly influence their counseling behavior. Doctors with more positive attitudes toward tobacco control (OR=1.88), the self-confidence to deal with tobacco use (OR=3.7), and who also considered preventative advice an integral part of their clinical practice (OR=3.1) were more likely to comprehensively help all smokers. In addition, doctors who reported receiving tobacco related training in medical school or through CME (OR=1.6), and felt better capable of participating in advocacy (OR=14.3) were the most involved in tobacco prevention and control. Conclusions: The general disposition of doctors toward taking part in the elimination of the tobacco epidemic seems to be the strongest factor associated with counseling behavior. Having a strong sense of the importance of prevention and a high confidence in their capacity to do it seems to determine the strongest level of commitment. This study supports the importance of training medical students and physicians to develop positive attitudes and skills for disease prevention and advocacy.
Cancer Victim Identity for Individuals with Histories of Cancer and Childhood Sexual Abuse.

Identifying as a ‘cancer victim’ has been linked to adverse psychosocial sequelae in individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer. Being a childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivor may predispose individuals towards a “victim” identity in general. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of identifying as a ‘cancer victim’ among CSA survivors who were diagnosed with cancer as adults, and to explore psychological factors associated with identification as a cancer victim. 105 adults reporting both a history of CSA and of having been diagnosed with cancer as an adult were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Variables assessed included CSA severity, abuse-related powerlessness, general mastery, and cancer victim identity. Fifty-one percent of the sample endorsed a cancer victim identity. Path analysis revealed that abuse-related powerlessness was related to decreased feelings of general mastery, which was in turn associated with cancer victim identification (x 2 = .12, DF = 1, p < .73; RMSEA = .00; SRMR = .01: Bentler CFI = 1.0). From a clinical perspective, the results suggest that increasing general mastery in CSA survivors in the cancer setting may be an important mechanism for attenuating the risk for developing a cancer victim identity and, presumably, for downstream adverse psychosocial sequelae.