cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disruption of White Matter Integrity in Adult Survivors of Childhood Brain Tumors: Correlates with Long-Term Intellectual Outcomes

Background Although chemotherapy and radiation treatment have contributed to increased survivorship, treatment-induced brain injury has been a concern when examining long-term intellectual outcomes of survivors. Specifically, disruption of brain white matter integrity and its relationship to intellectual outcomes in adult survivors of childhood brain tumors needs to be better understood. Methods Fifty-four participants underwent diffusion tensor imaging in addition to structural MRI and an intelligence test (IQ). Voxel-wise group comparisons of fractional anisotropy calculated from DTI data were performed using Tract Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) on 27 survivors (14 treated with radiation with and without chemotherapy and 13 treated without radiation treatment on average over 13 years since diagnosis) and 27 healthy comparison participants. Whole brain white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) differences were explored between each group. The relationships between IQ and FA in the regions where statistically lower FA values were found in survivors were examined, as well as the role of cumulative neurological factors. Results The group of survivors treated with radiation with and without chemotherapy had lower IQ relative to the group of survivors without radiation treatment and the healthy comparison group. TBSS identified white matter regions with significantly different mean fractional anisotropy between the three different groups. A lower level of white matter integrity was found in the radiation with or without chemotherapy treated group compared to the group without radiation treatment and also the healthy control group. The group without radiation treatment had a lower mean FA relative to healthy controls. The white matter disruption of the radiation with or without chemotherapy treated survivors was positively correlated with IQ and cumulative neurological factors. Conclusions Lower long-term intellectual outcomes of childhood brain tumor survivors are associated with lower white matter integrity. Radiation and adjunct chemotherapy treatment may play a role in greater white matter disruption. The relationships between white matter integrity and IQ, as well as cumulative neurological risk factors exist in young adult survivors of childhood brain tumors.
In Response to Risks and Pitfalls of Epidural Injections during Management of Lumbar Disc Herniation: Few Comments.

Received April 1, 2015. Accepted April 3, 2015. Correspondence to: Laxmaiah Manchikanti Pain Management Center of Paducah, Paducah, and University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 2831, Lone Oak Road, Paducah, Kentucky 42003, USA Tel: +1-270-554-9412, Fax: +1-270-554-8987, E-mail: drlm@thepainmd.com This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Copyright c The Korean Pain Society, 2015 LETTERS TO EDITORS
Pedagogical dimensions and the evaluation of multimedia courseware for computer science

Fourteen dimensions have been listed for evaluating the pedagogy of multimedia courseware in literature. Each of these dimensions is a continuum between two contrasting approaches. A courseware could qualify anywhere along the continuum for each dimension, depending on its features. In this paper, the authors explore the following questions with respect to a select few dimensions: what are the features of a courseware module that determine its position along a dimension?; and what are the implications of a dimension for the design and use of a courseware module?. They restrict their discussion to courseware for computer science topics.
Evolution of Traits Deduced from Genome Comparisons

One of the major aims in evolutionary enomics is to leverage comparative genomic data sets to understand the evolution of adaptively important traits. These comparisons may occur at multiple scales, but can be roughly classed into those that focus on differences between closely related species and those that aim to explain broad patterns across diverse groups of organisms. Perhaps the most significant contributions of genome comparisons thus far have been in highlighting broad evolutionary trends, such as identifying gene sets or pathways that have been adaptively important in the evolution of specific lineages, including our own. In contrast, the establishment of concrete links between genetic variation and specific traits remains rare, despite a handful of exciting early successes. We anticipate that the addition of more genome sequences will rapidly advance the field. In particular, we look forward to increasing integration between comparative genomic analyses and ecological and phenotypic data sets. Key concepts: Comparisons between closely related species allow investigators to search for the genetic basis of recently evolved differences that distinguish those species. Comparisons across organisms that share a distant common ancestor allow investigators to search for the genetic basis of major shared differences that define these groups of related organisms. Genome comparisons often identify broad trends in trait evolution instead of specific genetic differences that influence a specific trait. Identification of specific genes that influence a specific trait requires not only genome-scale comparisons but also statistical filtering and experimental validation. Identification of regions of the genome that evolved under positive selection or that are functionally important is a useful method for narrowing down genome-wide differences to those that are most likely to have phenotypic effects. Keywords: evolutionary genomics; sequence evolution; positive selection; phylogenetic comparisons; accelerated evolution
Kerman-Klein method for nuclear structure: Accomplishments and opportunities

The Kerman-Klein method was invented in 1962 to restore the broken symmetry of mean field solutions of the nuclear many body problem. It was seen to contain a natural mechanism, within a shell model framework, for decoupling collective modes from non-collective ones and for studying the interplay between collective and individual degrees of freedom. We present a general formulation of the theory in terms of single particle coefficients of fractional parentage. Some results of current applications of a semi-microscopic version of this theory are described. We contrast several fully microscopic formulations of the theory and summarize early applications of these to the study of nuclear shape changes and to the properties of semi-magic nuclei. Other applications such as an ongoing study of a nuclear version of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and to quantum field theories with soliton solutions are discussed briefly.
The radiocarbon composition of tree rings as a tracer of local fossil fuel emissions in the Los Angeles basin: 1980–2008

[1] Quantifying local fossil fuel CO2 emissions in urban areas is challenging due to the heterogeneity in emissions and in atmospheric mixing ratios of CO2. Measurements of the radiocarbon content of urban tree rings are an alternative to large networks of CO2monitoring stations. In this study, we calculated 3-year averages of CO2 mixing ratios from fossil fuel combustion from 1980 to 2008 using tree rings sampled at six sites within the Los Angeles basin and adjacent mountains. We observed CO2 mixing ratios from fossil fuel combustion of up to 23 μmol·mol−1 in the inland basin and ∼5–10 μmol·mol−1at coastal sites. Although we expected to see increasing trends of fossil fuel-derived CO2over time, not all sites showed a significant increase. Analysis of correlations between fossil fuel-derived CO2and socioeconomic variables revealed that fossil fuel-derived CO2 followed trends in census tract and/or city population or in vehicle statistics at most sites. We also calculated CO/CO2combustion ratios from tree ring radiocarbon and nearby measurements of atmospheric CO mixing ratios. We observed widespread declines in the combustion ratio that support increases in the efficiency of the automobile fleet over the past few decades. This study demonstrates the utility of tree ring radiocarbon measurements for quantifying temporal and spatial patterns in fossil fuel-derived CO2 emissions in urban areas.
A Quantitative Survivability Evaluation Model for Wireless Sensor Networks

A wireless sensor network (WSN) is vulnerable to security attacks due to the broadcast nature of transmission and the limited computation and communication capabilities of the sensor nodes. Many key agreement schemes are developed to enable encryption and authentication among sensor nodes to protect confidentiality, integrity and availability of the communications and computations of WSNs. It is crucial to build a model to evaluate these schemes with regard to survivability of a WSN. In this paper, we propose a quantitative evaluation model for a typical pre-distribution key management scheme. Specifically, we evaluate the survivability of a WSN with regard to its three major attributes: resilience, resistance and robustness. Simulation results are reported showing that how a WSN become survivable and how it can be improved.
Gender Differences in the Measurement of Creative Problem‐Solving

Despite significant scholarly attention, the literature on the existence and direction of gender differences in creativity has produced inconsistent findings. In the present paper, we argue that this lack of consensus may be attributable, at least in part, to gender-specific inconsistencies in the measurement of creative problem-solving. To explore this possibility, we empirically tested assumptions of multiple-group measurement invariance using samples borrowed from four recent studies that assessed creative problem-solving (J.D. Barrett et al., 2013; K.S. Hester et al., 2012; D.R. Peterson et al., 2013; I.C. Robledo et al., 2012). Across the four samples, apparent gender differences emerged on all three components of S.P. Besemer & K. O'Quin's (1999) three-facet model of creativity (i.e., quality, originality, and elegance) such that, on average, females appeared to exhibit higher baseline levels of creativity. However, in light of violations of measurement invariance assumptions across genders found in these samples, comparisons such as these may not ultimately be appropriate. Although the underlying factor structure and factor loadings on a unitary creativity factor were consistent across gender (i.e., weak factorial invariance), measurement in-equivalence assumptions were violated at the subfacet level (i.e., strong factorial invariance). Implications of these findings for understanding gender differences in creative problem-solving are discussed.
Signal transduction pathways that regulate skeletal muscle gene expression

The regulation of cellular functions by extracellular signaling molecules such as hormones, polypeptide growth factors, and neurotransmitters requires the generation of transient signals at the cell membrane, which are transmitted to the nucleus, where they result in short and long term changes in gene expression. One of the most common mechanisms for linking external signals to transcriptional responses is through protein kinase cascades that begin at cell surface receptors and culminate at transcription factors that coordinately regulate multiple target genes. Although changes in protein phosphorylation at the cell surface in response to receptor activation and the resulting alterations in expression of specific genes are well documented, the intermediate steps in signal transduction between the membrane and the nucleus are only beginning to be defined. Skeletal muscle cells are among the cell types whose properties are profoundly influenced by growth factors, hormones, and neurotransmitters. The recent identification of a small family of muscle-specific transcription factors that coordinately regulate gene expression in skeletal muscle and serve as targets for a variety of protein kinase cascades has revealed a potential end point for the cellular circuits that transduce signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus in muscle cells. This review will focus on evidence implicating protein kinases in the control of skeletal muscle cell growth, differentiation, and maturation. The possibility that muscle-specific transcription factors may serve as targets for protein kinase cascades will also be addressed, and several potential models to explain the regulation of muscle cell functions by protein kinases will be considered. For more comprehensive reviews on the regulation of muscle differentiation, the reader is referred to several recent reviews (l-5).
Trait Affectivity and Nonreferred Adolescent Conduct Problems

This study examined for profiles of positive trait affectivity (PA) and negative trait affectivity (NA) associated with adolescent conduct problems. Prior trait affectivity research has been relatively biased toward the assessment of adults and internalizing symptomatology. Consistent with recent developmental modeling of antisocial behavior, this study proposed that conduct problems are uniquely associated with 2 PA-NA profiles (i.e., high PA-high NA and low PA-low NA). A nonreferred sample of 109 adolescents ages 12 to 19 was recruited to assess the independent relations between rating scale measures of the PA-NA dimensions and conduct problems, controlling for related internalizing (anxiety and depression) and externalizing (hyperactivity-impulsivity) symptomatology. The results generally confirmed the proposed interaction between the PA-NA dimensions in the prediction of adolescent conduct problems.
Products of Several Toeplitz Operators

In this paper we give a necessary and sufficient condition for Ta1Ta2…Tan=Ta1a2…an where the Tai's are Toeplitz operators on the Hardy space of the unit disk. We then show that Ta1Ta2Ta3Ta4Ta5Ta6=0 if and only if one of ai is identically zero. A criteria for the compactness of Ta1Ta2…Tan−Ta1a2…an is also given.
Age, period, cohort and educational attainment: The importance of considering gender

Abstract Over the past century, the United States has experienced substantial population-wide gains in educational attainment – increases driven largely by processes of cohort succession. Focusing on the adult population age 25–54, we show that there has been (1) a significant attenuation of the historical increases in educational attainment, and (2) a shift in the processes underlying educational change that differs by gender. Our analysis points to a significant turning point in population-wide educational levels, and from a research perspective, has implications for how one interprets findings when using education as a control variable.
The fuel property/flame radiation relationship for gas turbine combustors

Relation entre les proprietes du carburant et le rayonnement de la flamme dans les chambres de combustion de turbines a gaz
Porting third-party applications packages to the Cray T3D: programming issues and scalability results

Abstract In the spring of 1993 a number of highly used third-party packages were selected for porting to the Cray MPP which was to be delivered to the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center later in the year. Using the T3D Emulator and a cluster of Alpha workstations and eventually the MPP hardware in Eagan and Pittsburgh these packages were successfully reimplemented with varying degrees of difficulty. In this paper we will describe for three of those packages: the major difficulties, the novel solutions and current performance relative to the Cray C90.
Double-switch Ross procedure

Aortic root replacement with pulmonary autograft (Ross procedure) is a valuable technique. However, the best material for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction remains controversial. We report on the experience with use of an aortic autograft with reimplantation of the diseased aortic valve for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in 3 patients with satisfactory result.
The Importance of Instrumentality Beliefs in the Prediction of Organizational Citizenship Behaviors

Abstract This study investigated relations among procedural justice, perceived system knowledge, beliefs about organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), and OCBs. Expectancy theory was used as a framework to make a series of predictions. Results extend previous research to show that the relation of procedural justice to OCBs is not elementary, but rather procedural justice interacts with both perceived system knowledge and beliefs about OCB to affect the frequency of OCBs. Practical and theoretical implications of these findings for organizational functioning are discussed.
Determination of Monochloramine Formation Rate Constants with Stopped-Flow Spectrophotometry

The production of monochloramine by the reaction of aqueous ammonia and free chlorine is important in both drinking water and wastewater treatment systems. Accurate prediction of the rate of monochloramine formation is a prerequisite for any modeling work related to this fundamental reaction. There are significant discrepancies between rate constants reported in the literature. Furthermore, little information is available on the temperature dependence of the reaction rate constant. The purposes of this study were to kinetically examine the potential reaction pathways, accurately determine the specific rate constants, and establish the Arrhenius equation for the reaction of monochloramine formation using the stopped-flow technique. Results indicate that the rate constants are highly pH dependent due to the speciation of both free chlorine and ammonia. From a strictly kinetic point of view, monochloramine formation could be explained by either the nonionic pathway between HOCl and NH3 or the ionic pathway between OCl- and NH4+. However, because the ionic pathway is mechanistically implausible the reaction is shown to be between the nonionic species (HOCl and NH3). The specific rate constant for the nonionic pathway at 25 degrees C was determined to be 3.07 x 10(6) (M(-1) x s(-1)). The Arrhenius equation was obtained as k(HOCl,NH3) = 5.40 x 10(9) exp(- 2237/T), which provided an activation energy of 18.6 kJ x mol(-1).
Energy and angular differential probabilities for photoionization of He using chirped attosecond soft-x-ray pulses

Based on the time-dependent close-coupling method, energy and angular differential probabilities for various ionization processes of He atoms subjected to intense attosecond soft-x-ray pulses with a photon energy of 91.6 eV and a peak intensity of 10{sup 15} W/cm{sup 2} are calculated to explore their dependence on the duration and the chirp of the pulse. It is found that the single and the double electron energy distributions for two-photon double ionization are rather sensitive to chirps. That is, both the magnitudes and locations of the sequential peaks in the single electron energy distributions vary strongly with chirps and the two-electron energy distributions being broadened and stretched along the equal energy sharing direction as opposed to the usual total excess energy direction for the case of zero chirp. In addition, our calculation also reveals an unexpected structure formed between the two sequential peaks. In order to better understand the chirp effects on both independent-electron and correlated electron emissions and their relations to the origin of the structure, we analyzed the corresponding probability differential in energy and angle.
Physiological Stresses in Warehouse Operations with Special Reference to Lifting Technique and Gender: a case study

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lifting technique (free-style vs. straight-back, bent-knee) on male workers' performances and physiological responses. A secondary objective was to study physiological stresses to female order selectors using the free-sytle lifting technique only. Six male and six female workers performed their routine work of grocery order selection in three different warehouses while their oxygen uptake and heart rates were measured. Workers' performances were determined using the traditional work measurement techniques (time study, methods time measurement and master standard data systems) employed by the warehouses. Total cases, weight, volume, actual and allowed time for each order were also determined. Statistical analysis showed that the performance levels of the male workers (allowed time per order ★100/actual time per order) were significantly lower and oxygen uptake and heart rates were higher for the straight-back, bent-knee method as compared to the free-s...
THE FLAVIN‐SENSITIZED PHOTOINACTIVATION OF TRYPSIN*

— The kinetics of the flavin-sensitized photoinactivation of trypsin were investigated. Essentially similar results were obtained with riboflavin and with riboflavin-5′-phosphate (FMN) as sensitizers, while flavin-adenine dinucleotide had only a very small sensitizing effect. The rate of the inactivation reaction was found to be directly proportional to light intensity over the range examined. The time-course of the trypsin inactivation as measured by three assays could be fitted to first-order kinetics. The rate of trypsin inactivation was identical as measured by the casein and benzoylargi-nine ethyl ester assays, while a more rapid rate was observed as measured by the hemoglobin assay. These results are interpreted by postulating the existence of a “damaged” class of molecules after illumination uhich appears to be labile to post-illumination heating or to 5 M urea. The t37 value for trypsin inactivation, as corrected for the fraction of light absorbed, increased linearly with dye concentration. The trypsin concentration dependence of the reaction was found to be different in acid and basic solution. Trypsin had an inhibitory effect on the rate of photobleaching of the dye. Our results do not conform fully with any one of the several mechanisms that have been proposed to explain photodynamic action.
CAP binding to B and Z forms of DNA

We have examined the interaction between the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CAP) and a small DNA fragment containing its specific recognition sequence by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The binding of CAP to this fragment induces a B to "C-like" change in the CD spectrum, which is different from that observed for non-specific binding. A one-to-one (CAP dimer to DNA) binding stoichiometry was deduced from spectroscopic titration data, as was a non-specific binding site size of 17 bp/dimer. In addition, we have compared the non-specific binding affinity of CAP for the B and Z forms of synthetic DNA copolymers. A slight preference for the B form was found. These results do not support the recent specific suggestion that CAP binds to a left-handed form of DNA (1), but indicate more generally that an optically detectable conformational change takes place in DNA on binding CAP.
A note on the role of olfaction in taste aversion learning

A taste aversion was induced by the single or multiple pairing of saccharin and methotrexate. In one experiment the presence of saccharin in the environment of condtioned animals prior to the test trials resulted in an attenuation of the aversion, that is, facilitated extinction of the conditioned response. In a second experiment the consumption of plain water by conditioned animals was significantly reduced when animals were tested in the presence of other animals that were provided with saccharin, the CS solution. The data suggest that primary stimulus generalization in the form of olfactory cues can influence the manifestation of taste aversion behavior by decreasing the magnitude of the avoidance response or by decreasing the consumption of fluid by control animals.
HYDROCRACKING OF ARABIAN MIX ASPHALTENES IN THE PRESENCE OF MODIFIED RED MUD

ABSTRACT Asphaltenes precipitated from an Arabian Mix vacuum residue were hydro-cracked in a batch autoclave at 435 and 460°C for 5-90 min. Experiments without catalyst, with modified red mud and with an industrial Co Mo/Al203 catalyst were compared. The products were fractionated into gas, naphtha, oil, asphaltenes and coke. Feed asphaltenes and several product fractions were characterised by elemental analysis, by average molecular mass and by 1H n.mr. Due to the hydrogenation activity, both catalysts caused - with similar efficiency - the decrease of coke formation and the increase of quantity and quality of oil.
Septal apertures in the humerus of normal and experimental rats

Septal apertures of the humerus are rare in wild and domesticated rats but their occurrence is more frequent in females than in males and on the left than on the right side. Septal apertures can be produced experimentally by hypophysectomy due to an extreme reduction of the thickness of the septal wall. Other endocrine ablations, starvation and unilateral front leg paralysis do not produce a sufficient reduction of septal wall thickness to cause septal apertures. Their occurrence is also not correlated with total humeral robusticity. Thus, the manifestations of septal apertures in a non-specialized mammal such as the rat do not differ from those in higher primates.
Use of magnetic data for investigating radiation from the Sun

1—The relations between solar phenomena and the variations of terrestrial magnetism have been interpreted as being due to changes in radiation emitted by the Sun. The observational evidence suggests, roughly speaking, the existence of two distinctly different kinds of such solar radiation; they may be designated by the letters Q and D, in order to indicate that their influence is most clearly shown on magnetically quiet and on magnetically disturbed days. Q acts on the whole daylight hemisphere, while the direct effect of D is more or less restricted to polar regions and is manifested at night in auroral displays.
Turbulence Ingestion Noise, Part 1: Experimental Characterization of Grid-Generated Turbulence

Results are presented of an experimental investigation into the aeroacoustic response characteristics of rotor turbulence ingestion. To fully characterize the rotor response, both the ingested velocity field and the resulting far-field sound were measured. The results are presented of a detailed velocity characterization, which was performed upstream of the rotor. The velocity measurements included an evaluation of the streamwise development of turbulence characteristics downstream of the grid, a high-resolution mapping of the spatial distribution of the mean velocity and rms turbulence fluctuations in the rotor inlet plane, and the development of a semi-empirical, functional representation of the three-dimensional wave number spectral density of the ingested turbulence
The effect of carbohydrate removal on the properties of human liver α-l-fucosidase

The effect of carbohydrate removal on the properties of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-L-fucosidase has been investigated by comparatively characterizing N-glycanase-treated and mock-treated control fucosidases. N-Glycanase treatment removed approx. 90% of the carbohydrate from purified native human liver fucosidase as determined by carbohydrate assay after gel filtration on Sephadex G-50, and by Western blotting with a lectin-digoxigenin conjugate and densitometric scanning. Removal of carbohydrate from fucosidase does not affect its catalytic activity, its Km value for synthetic substrate, its recognition and rate of hydrolysis of three natural substrates, or its gross conformation as determined by circular dichroism. However, loss of carbohydrate led to significantly decreased activity at acidic pH values (3.1-4.7), a 0.6 pH unit shift to a more neutral optimum and decreased thermostability. The decreased activity at acidic pH values and the more neutral pH optimum of deglycosylated fucosidase suggest that the presence of carbohydrate is physiologically significant in allowing fucosidase to perform its catabolic function more efficiently in the acidic milieu of the lysosome.
Interactions among leaf toughness, chemistry, and harvesting by attine ants.

. 1. Young and mature leaves of a tropical legume, Inga edulis var. minutula Schery, are strikingly different in secondary chemistry, especially condensed tannins, and leaf toughness. 2. Bioassays with the two different leaf types indicate that leaf cutter ants, Atta cephalotes (L.), always find mature leaves relatively more acceptable than young leaves when selection was based on chemical cues. 3. Since extracts of young leaves show greziter inhibition of fungal pectinases we suggest that leaf-cutter ants are capable of distinguishing which leaf types are most suitable for the growth of their symbiotic fungus. 4. However, mature leaves are 3 times tougher than young leaves and this prevents leaf-cutter ants from harvesting the more suitable mature leaves. 5. Consequently, bioassays which require cutting before leaf removal indicate that some colonies actually harvest more from the less suitable young leaves. 6. We suggest that the quality of a colony's habitat may indicate whether a colony will harvest more of the less suitable young leaves. Colonies which are harvesting from highly suitable host plants avoid the tropical legume I.edulis while those in poorer habitats accept I.edulis but, because of leaf toughness, mostly harvest the less suitable young leaves.
The Effects of pH, Temperature, Light Intensity, Light Quality,and Moisture Levels on Spore Germination in Cheilanthes feei of Southeast Missouri

Abstract Cheilanthes feei is a xerophytic fern that is broadly distributed throughout the United States west of the Mississippi. Although it has a broad distribution, it occupies a very narrow niche. In southeast Missouri, C. feei inhabits crevices of limestone bluffs, in full sun, approximately 0.5–1.0 m from the top of the bluffs. The physiological basis for the fern's restriction to this xeric environment is unclear. In this study, C. feei spores were subjected to a broad range of temperatures, pH, and light intensities, to varied light qualities, and to different moisture levels. Results indicate that C. feei spores can germinate under a wide variety of conditions. However, data suggest that spore germination optima and optimal conditions for protonemal growth overlap narrowly. The disparity in optimum conditions may be a partial basis for the broad distribution and narrow niche of C. feei.
A study of cumulative fatigue damage in aluminum alloy 2011-T3

Abstract Experimental data were obtained using aluminum alloy 2011-T3 specimens under stress ratios R of −1, −0.5 and 0.0 for low-to-high, low-to-high mixed, high-to-low and high-to-low mixed stress sequences. Analysis of the data for a stress ratio of −1 using Kramer's equation indicated that the predicted cumulative fatigue damage and fatigue life are in close agreement with those obtained experimentally.
Modeling Progressive Damage Using Local Displacement Discontinuities Within the FEAMAC Multiscale Modeling Framework

A method for performing progressive damage modeling in composite materials and structures based on continuum level interfacial displacement discontinuities is presented. The proposed method enables the exponential evolution of the interfacial compliance, resulting in unloading of the tractions at the interface after delamination or failure occurs. In this paper, the proposed continuum displacement discontinuity model has been used to simulate failure within both isotropic and orthotropic materials efficiently and to explore the possibility of predicting the crack path, therein. Simulation results obtained from Mode-I and Mode-II fracture compare the proposed approach with the cohesive element approach and Virtual Crack Closure Techniques (VCCT) available within the ABAQUS (ABAQUS, Inc.) finite element software. Furthermore, an eccentrically loaded 3-point bend test has been simulated with the displacement discontinuity model, and the resulting crack path prediction has been compared with a prediction based on the extended finite element model (XFEM) approach.
NMR studies and rotational isomerism in fluoroacetones. II. Fluoroacetone and 1,1-difluoroacetone

Abstract The solvent dependences for fluoroacetone and 1,1-difluoroacetone are reported for the following NMR parameters: proton and fluorine chemical shifts, four-bond HH coupling constants, one-bond C-H coupling constants, and geminal and four-bond HF coupling constants; the temperature dependences of the HF couplings are also reported. It was found that these parameters (except for the fluorine shifts, 4JHH and 1JCH) could be used, at least qualitatively, to follow changes in the relative populations of rotational conformers. Finally, the variation of 2JHF with solvent dielectric constant (e) was found to be smooth enough to make possible an estimation of e for nonhydrogen-bonding solvents.
TU-A-9A-05: First Experimental Demonstration of the Anisotropic Detection Principle in X-Ray Fluorescence Computed Tomography

Purpose: To improve the sensitivity of X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) for in vivo molecular imaging. Is the maximum sensitivity achieved with an isotropic (4π) detector configuration? We prove that this is not necessarily true, and that a greater sensitivity is possible with anisotropic detector configuration. Methods: An XFCT imaging system was constructed consisting of 1) a collimated pencil beam x-ray source using a fluoroscopy grade x-ray tube; 2) a CdTe x-ray photon counting detector to detect fluorescent x-rays; and 3) a rotation/translation stage for tomographic imaging. We created a 6.5-cm diameter water phantom with 2-cm inserts of low gold concentration (0.25%–1%) to simulate tumors targeted by gold nano-particles. The placement of x-ray fluorescence detector were chosen to minimize scatter x-rays. XFCT imaging was performed at three different detector positions (60°, 90°, 145°) to determine the impact of forward-scatter, side-scatter, and back-scatter on imaging performance. The three data sets were also combined to estimate the imaging performance with an isotropic detector. Results: The highest imaging performance was achieved when the XF detector was in the backscatter 145° configuration. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was 5.5 for the 0.25% gold concentration compared to SNRs of 1.4, 0, and 2.4 for 60°, 90°, and combined (60°+90°+145°) datasets. Only the 145° detector arrangement alone could detect the 0.25% concentration. The imaging dose was 14 mGy for each detector arrangement experiment. Conclusion: This study experimentally proves, for the fist time, the Anisotropic Detection Principle in XF imaging, which holds that optimized anisotropic x-ray fluorescence detection provides greater sensitivity than isotropic detection. The optimized detection arrangement was used to improve the sensitivity of the XFCT experiment. The achieved XFCT sensitivity is the highest ever for a phantom at least this large using a benchtop x-ray source, which is an important step toward clinical XFCT molecular imaging. This work was supported by the NCI fellowship grant R25T-CA118681 and by the NIH (1R01-EB016777) and NIBIB (1K99-EB016059).
Snack food intake does not predict weight change among children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether intake of snack foods was associated with weight change among children and adolescents. METHODS: Prospective study of 8203 girls and 6774 boys, 9–14 y of age in 1996, in an ongoing cohort study who completed at least two questionnaires between 1996 and 1999. Intake of snack foods was assessed in 1996–1998 with a validated food frequency questionnaire designed specifically for children and adolescents. The outcome measure was change in age- and gender-specific z-score of body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Boys consumed more snack foods than girls during the entire study period. After controlling for Tanner stage of development, age, height change, activity, and inactivity, there was no relation between intake of snack foods and subsequent changes in BMI z-score among the boys (β=−0.004), but snack foods had a weak inverse association (β=−0.007, P<0.05) with weight change among the girls. However, the results were confounded by dieting status, which had a significant positive independent association with BMI change. After controlling for dieting status and whether the mother was overweight, the association between servings per day of snack foods and subsequent changes in BMI z-score were not significant in either gender. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that although snack foods may have low nutritional value, they were not an important independent determinant of weight gain among children and adolescents.
Plasma Resist Image Stabilization Technique (PRIST) Update

The plasma resist image stabilization technique (PRIST) can effectively stabilize the developed resist image in the production of integrated circuits6 This fluorocarbon plasma treatment allows the resist to be baked in excess of 210 C without measurable change in dimensions. The typical PRIST treatment is exercised in a CF4 plasma at a low RF power (25 W) for a short time (30 sec). This low power and short time combination could cause problems at times, especially when the PRIST is exercised in an inductively coupled barrel reactor. These problems are attributed to the plasma instability due to the system design. Most plasma systems are not designed for such low power and short time operation. We can minimize these problems and improve the process reliability by operating the reactor at a power level for which the system was designed. This paper reports the results of the PRIST experiments using a mixture of CF4 diluted in nitrogen, argon, or helium. The results indicate that one can reduce the concentration of CF4 to less than 1% and still obtain excellent resist pattern after the post-baking. This reduction in CF4 concentration permits increasing both RF power and treatment duration without increasing the nitride etch rate. In addition to improving the process reliability, this increase in time and power allows one to select a series of power and time combinations to achieve the desired results.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparison of rotatable designs for regression on balls, I (quadratic)

Abstract Designs for quadratic and cubic regression are considered when the possible choices of the controlable variable are points x =( x 1 , x 2 ,…, x q ) in the q -dimensional. Full of radius R , B q ( R ) ={ x : Σ 4 i x 2 i ⩽ R 2 }. The designs that are optimum among rotatable designs with respect to the D -, A -, and E -optimality criteria are compared in their performance relative to these and other criteria, including extrapolation. Additionally, the performance of a design optimum for one value of R , when it is implemented for a different value of R , is investigated. Some of the results are developed algebraically; others, numerically. For example, in quadratic regression the A -optimum design appears to be fairly robust in its efficiency, under variation of criterion.
A Successful Palliative Care Intervention for Cancer Pain Refractory to Intrathecal Analgesia

Intrathecal delivery of opioid medications has been increasingly used to treat cancer pain that is refractory to conventional oral opioid therapy. We present a patient with complex and refractory cancer pain who failed both oral and intrathecal opioid therapy but responded to the interdisciplinary palliative care intervention in the acute palliative care unit. His morphine equivalent daily dose decreased by 94% over a 10-day period, and he had better pain control and improved function. This case highlights the importance of addressing and treating the psychosocial distress that contributes to the total pain expression.
Testosterone and hydrocortisone-stimulated responses of reduced pyridine nucleotide fluorescence in prostates cultured from castrate rats

Abstract 1. Addition of testosterone to prostate organ cultures containing 0.1% glucose is followed after 40 to 60 min by a gradual increase in reduced pyridine nucleotide fluorescence. In several experiments oscillations were superimposed upon the increasing steady-state fluorescence level. The average increase in fluorescence was 8.5%. 2. When a similar experiment was done in medium containing 0.05% glucose only a 2% increase in fluorescence was seen. 3. A single addition of glucose to the testosterone-pretreated prostate resulted in an increase in reduced pyridine nucleotide fluorescence of 6%. Stepwise additions of both equal and larger amounts of glucose produced similar but smaller change in fluorescence. 4. Hydrocortisone addition to prostates produced a cycle of fluorescence which began within 2 min, attained a maximum within 5–12 min and was complete within 20–30 min. Addition of testosterone after the hydrocortisone response is complete stimulates an immediate increase in fluorescence to a level 10 to 15% higher than that seen before testosterone addition. 5. N 2 -air cycles before hydrocortisone and testosterone showed a change in fluorescence of 4%. After hydrocortisone and testosterone the change in fluorescence in response to N 2 was 9%. This indicated that a doubling of the amount of pyridine nucleotide linked to respiration occurred. However, the increase in the steady-state fluorescence was 15%, indicating that there was an equivalent increase in glycolytic pyridine nucleotide. 6. The addition of 17β-estradiol produced an immediate small increase in the fluorescence signal which can be explained by its intrinsic fluorescence.
Microscopic friction in ultrafast dynamical processes.

By linearizing the Langevin equation and the fluctuation-dissipation theorem using ensemble-averaged quantities, new approaches for calculating friction in nonlinear ultrafast dynamical processes are presented. Numerical testing of these methods confirms their accuracy. The harmonic approximation commonly used in barrier-crossing dynamics is also discussed.
Antecedents to internet‐based purchasing: a multinational study

Purpose – In the growing field of electronic commerce there are various influences that can lead to online purchase decisions. An understanding of these influences can lead to greater electronic marketing effectiveness. The purpose of this article is to analyze and compare the effect of internet experience, proclivity of use, and perception of risk on the likelihood of purchasing online in three different countries.Design/methodology/approach – The empirical study includes a survey‐based design in which responses to a questionnaire completed by 492 multinational consumers are analyzed in structural equations modeling using LISREL.Findings – Results suggest a positive relationship between consumer usage and experience of the internet and the likelihood of making online purchases. There is further indication that the perceived risk of buying online has a negative effect on consumers' purchase likelihood. Moreover, perceived risk tends to partially mediate the relationships between internet usage and purchas...
Surface immobilization of plasmid DNA with a cell-responsive tether for substrate-mediated gene delivery.

The advancement of nonviral gene therapy hinges on the ability to exert highly specific spatial and temporal control of gene delivery systems to enable localized release of DNA In this work, we have developed a system capable of promoting localized delivery of a plasmid by utilizing peptide nucleic acid (PNA) technology to bind DNA to a substrate via an enzymatically labile peptide sequence. The successful immobilization of the DNA to the model substrate as well as the specificity of the binding was confirmed with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and AFM-confocal overlay imaging. Fluorescence-based quantification revealed that surfaces treated with the conjugates had 49 ± 22 ng of DNA/cm 2 , while there were 4.2 ± 2.1 ng of DNA/cm 2 on surfaces treated with unfunctionalized DNA. When NIH/ 3T3 cells were grown on the modified substrates, a significantly higher percentage of cells were transfected when the peptide tether was protease-sensitive as compared with when it was not labile. These results indicated that the peptide must be cleaved to release the DNA. In addition to providing cell-triggered release, this system decouples the properties of the complexation agent and the substrate from the method of immobilization/release to provide a model system that can be tailored to specific applications.
Percutaneous Dilation of Tracheal Stenosis

A high-grade complex tracheal stenosis distal to a tracheostomy tube occurred in a patient with a chronic vegetative state. The stenosis was easily and rapidly dilated at bedside using commercially available percutaneous tracheostomy kit dilators. Following tracheal dilation, a larger tracheostomy tube was inserted, resulting in the splinting of the stenotic area. To my knowledge, this is the first report of such a bedside technique for the dilation of a tracheal stenosis through a tracheostomy. This technique may provide a temporary relief from tracheal obstruction as long as the stenosis is within the reach of the dilator.
Hemispheric interaction in the processing of concurrent tasks in commissurotomy subjects.

Abstract A range of tasks which are known to be lateralized in commissurotomy patients have been used in an experimental design in which each subject performed two tasks concurrently. Results indicate that the two disconnected hemispheres are capable of effective processing of entirely unrelated information concurrently, while the same double task processing within a hemisphere causes severe interference.
SIMILITUDE LAW FOR THE CREEP-ADHESION FUNCTION IN DRY CONTACT

An experimental study is described on the dry friction-creep phenomenon. The study was carried out on a test-rig. The simulated wheel has an elliptical area of contact similar to the actual locomotive wheel and is made of a 1070 plain carbon steel. The testing was conducted with variable contact stresses up to approximately 200,000 psi and equivalent speeds of approximately 5 miles per hour. The results of the test show that all the different creep-adhesion curves obtained by changing the normal loads can be reduced to one single dimesionless curve. This can be achieved if the actual nominal area of contact experimentally measured, is introduced in the corresponding expressions. A law of constancy of the product of the creep times the area of contact for dry, clean contact surfaces and a constant value of adhesion and normal load is presented.
Ovarian steroidogenic responsiveness to exogenous gonadotropin stimulation in young and middle-aged female rats.

Reproductive aging in the female rat is associated with gradual declines in LH secretion and ovarian progesterone (P) production. This study examined whether the influences of aging on P levels reflect decreased ovarian responsiveness to gonadotropin stimulation, as opposed to changes in gonadotropin release. Young and middle-aged regularly cyclic female rats received sodium pentobarbital to block endogenous proestrous luteinizing hormone (LH) surges, followed by administration of various doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Similar treatments were performed in middle-aged acyclic persistent-estrous (PE) females. Injection of hCG resulted in equivalent plasma hCG levels in each treatment group. At the lowest hCG dose tested, a significant rise in plasma P levels was observed in middle-aged cyclic rats, but not in young cyclic or middle-aged PE females. This unexpected finding may reflect accelerated follicular development in middle-aged cyclic females, as suggested by a previous study. At the inte...