cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship between creativity and right, left, and integrated thinking styles

ABSTRACT: The purpose of the present study was to explore whether the so‐called “right thinking style” is related to creativity as measured by two types of creativity tests. The How Do You Think (HDYT) inventory evaluates personality and biographical information related to creativity, and the Sounds and Images is a type of divergent thinking test that assesses the originality of images elicited by abstract sounds. As a second purpose, this study permitted an analysis of the relationship between these two types of creativity measures. The two creativity measures and the Your Style of Learning and Thinking (SOLAT) test were administered to 109 undergraduates. Results indicated that the HDYT scores were positively correlated with right thinking scores on the SOLAT (r = .48) and negatively correlated with left thinking scores (r = ‐.70). Results from Sounds and Images were not as clear. Similar relationships were found when overlapping items were removed from the various measures.
A Fragment-Based Similarity Measure for Concept Hierarchies and Ontologies

Despite the popularity of concept hierarchies and ontologies, such as Yahoo! Directory, a similarity measure that considers both hierarchy content and topology and is highly efficient has not yet been reached. A commonly used metric, Tree Edit Distance, exhibits extreme inefficiency when measuring similarities between unordered hierarchies. In this paper, we propose a novel and feasible solution, Fragment-based Similarity (FBS), to serve as an efficient and effective measurement for hierarchy similarity evaluation. Experimental results and a user study show that FBS not only well-approximates but also is more efficient than Tree Edit Distance
SU‐FF‐P‐01: Management Issues in Implementing IGRT

Purpose: To investigate and develop an appropriate framework for establishing and monitoring staff competency for IGRT procedures in the community setting. To evaluate existing resources to establish and monitor staff competency. Method and Materials: The full benefit of IGRT can only be realized through the proper deployment of appropriate technology coupled with staff expertise in technical and clinical aspects of IGRT. All of the three main technical processes comprising the treatment chain in IGRT: CT simulation, treatment planning and delivery are greatly increased in complexity compared to 3D CRT. This necessitates the acquisition and monitoring of additional competencies among staff in their technical and clinical skill sets. Management is faced with the challenges of 1. providing competency training for staff and monitoring performance, 2. developing and implementing appropriate policies, procedures and oversight, to ensure the accuracy of IGRTtreatments. Anecdotal evidence suggests an accelerating pace of IGRT technology diffusion among community radiation therapy centers. However, there seem to be inadequate formal resources for staff training and competency certification in IGRT procedures, which can hinder the optimal use of the technology in the community setting. In this work, existing frameworks for staff and quality management are examined along with a review of available resources. Experiences of a medium sized community hospital in implementing IGRT are discussed.
Reductive trapping of substrate to methylamine oxidase from Arthrobacter P1.

Abstract Methylamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6) from Arthrobacter P1 was inactivated by NaCNBH 3 in the presence of [ 14 C]benzylamine, leading to the incorporation of 1 mol of radiolabeled substrate/mol of enzyme subunit at complete inactivation. By contrast, no labeling of enzyme was observed using [ 3 H]NaCNBH 3 as reductant. These results are analogous to those previously reported for the eukaryotic enzyme, bovine serum plasma anaine oxidase [(1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 962-965]. The observed pattern of labeling is consistent with the presence of dicarbonyl cofactor at the active site of methylamine oxidase. Further, these studies suggest that our reductive trapping technique, in which the pattern of radiolabeling of an enzyme is compared using C-14 substrate vs tritiated reductant, may serve as a general assay for covalently bound dicarbonyl structures.
Prediction of Relative Luminous Efficiency From Fundamental Sensation Curves

Abstract In several recent articles ( Sperling and Hsia , 1957 ; Sperling , 1958 ; Sperling and Lewis , 1959 ; Sperling , 1959 ), I have reported data on the spectral sensitivity of the fovea obtained by different psychophysical methods, and stimulus sizes, and in various adaptive states. Those results, together with additional luminosity data obtained on dichromatic colorblind observers under some of the same conditions are summarized. The derivation of fundamental sensation curves from the color confusions of dichromatic observers ( Sperling , 1960 ) is presented and results of the attempted synthesis of the luminous efficiency functions from these theoretical functions are reported. These latter results are relevant to the source of the major humps and dips, the additivity law of luminances, and the general question of an additive trichromatic theory, of color reception.
Separation and spectrophotometric determination of rare earths

Abstract At the present time arsenazo appears to be widely used for the spectrophotometric determination of rare earths. Unfortunately, the method is not selective. The separation of rare earths and yttrium from interfering elements has been studied, and the following method is proposed. Rare earths are precipitated as fluorides using calcium fluoride as the carrier. Thorium and zirconium are removed by extraction with thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) in xylene at pH 1·3. Small amounts of residual aluminium, iron, etc., are removed by extraction with 8-quinolinol-chloroform at pH 4·5. Rare earths are separated from calcium by TTA extraction at the same pH, then they are back-extracted into 1M nitric acid. After evaporation of the solution, the rare earths are determined spectrophotometrically with arsenazo.
Future Sustainability of the Florida Health Information Exchange

Florida began the journey to health information connectivity in 2004 under Governor Jeb Bush. Initially these efforts were funded by grants, but due to the downturn in the economy, the state was unable to support growth in 2008. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provided funding to further expand health information exchange efforts across the country. As a result, Florida was now able to move forward and make progress in information sharing. Harris Corporation was contracted to provide some basic services to the health care industry in 2011. Since then, the Florida HIE has begun to take shape and information sharing is occurring. The ARRA funding will end in 2014 and the Florida HIE must have a plan to survive into the future. This plan must address challenges such as the recruitment of new users, integration of new services, and ultimately long term sustainability.
Observation of the 40 keV field‐aligned ion beams

Recent observations by CEPPAD/IPS from the new perspective of the POLAR orbit reveal a close association of field-aligned ionospheric beams with convecting plasmasheet “nose” ions. April 15, 1996 was marked by a large southward BZ accompanying a fast solar wind shock. This event triggered a strong cross-tail convection electric field that pushed plasmasheet ions deep into the magnetosphere. When the POLAR spacecraft passed through the inner magnetosphere, it observed both an unusually energetic plasmasheet nose ion injection at ∼90 keV, as well as a peculiar field-aligned beam at ∼40 keV. These beams appear to be enriched in oxygen ions (as inferred from other instruments), which would place their origin in the ionosphere. Both populations existed from L=7–3, for a duration of at least 2 hours. We speculate that the nose ions create a parallel electric field that is responsible for the extended ionospheric beam signature.
A S-band high power traveling wave tube for RADAR application

Summary form given only: There is an increasing need for high power microwave sources. Among this class of sources, Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTA) are attractive for high power applications such for radars and long range satellite communications systems. Several important factors influence the performance of TWTs. Among them are: a suitable Slow Wave Structure (SWS) within the tube, beam focusing, attenuation, electron beam to wave interaction, collector module, and cooling efficiency. At the meeting several factors will be considered in addressing the issues relating to reflection, interaction with electron beam, support layout etc. The typical challenges are: . Reflection of the backward wave is a major concern as it diminishes forward gain greatly. A good attenuator circuit is also necessary to absorb reflections due to impedance mismatches and space charge waves. . Interaction with the relativistic electron beam is crucial for high power TWTs. Specifically, high phase velocity in the RF wave worsens the coupling. As a result, a longer tube is needed for stronger interaction, implying difficulty with its miniaturization. . A good support of the slow wave structure is also needed inside the TWT. Traditionally, dielectric materials were used to slow down waves and provide non-conducting contact between the SWS and waveguide wall. But dielectrics also scale down the electron beam velocity, implying smaller saturated powers. Thus, a suitable support layout is needed to also maintain high power characteristics. In this work, we will present a practical design of an S-band high power Traveling Wave Tube for radar applications. This is done by using a Slow Wave Structure (SWS) inside the TWT that has a `Curved Ring-Bar' to achieve efficient interaction with the electron beam. The designed SWS is capable of coupling with the electron beam even when its velocity is as large as 0.82c. Importantly, the interaction impedance of the structure is nearly flat across the entire S-band with minimum value of 48Ω. However, the structure possesses features which may generate large space charge forces between the electron beam and the metal strips of the SWS. To overcome this issue, a modified design is presented and simulations will be presented using a PIC code to demonstrate the coupling of the electron beam with the generated RF wave. Issues relating to the intense spacecharge waves, power suppression and beam focusing will be addressed as well.
Spin-isospin excitations and nuclear models

Abstract Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions are discussed in the context of the nuclear shell model. It is pointed out that the GT strength function contains information both about the character of the nuclear constituents and about the effective residual nucleon-nucleon force. A major part of the strength function is inaccessible to beta decay, but the (p,n) reaction can be used to probe GT transitions without the energetic limitations of beta decay. The experimental techniques are reviewed. The (p,n) data are surveyed. Only about 55% of the sum rule strength is seen. The possibility that the missing strength signifies the presence of delta or quark degrees of freedom in the constituent particles of the nuclear model is discussed.
Two-dimensional Placement Using Tabu Search

Search based placement of modules is an important problem in VLSI design. It is always desired that the search should converge quickly to a high quality solution. This paper presents a tabu search based optimization technique to place modules on a regular two-dimensional array. The goal of the technique is to speed up the placement process. The technique is based on a two-step placement strategy. The first step is targeted toward improving circuit routability and the second step addresses circuit performance. The technique is demonstrated through placement of several benchmark circuits on academic as well as commercial FPGAs. Results are compared to placements generated by commercial CAE tools and published simulated annealing based techniques. The tabu search technique compares favorably to published simulated annealing based techniques, and it demonstrates an average execution time speedup of 20 with no impact on quality of results when compared to commercial tools.
Design and analysis of numerical experiments

Methods for the design and analysis of numerical experiments that are especially useful and efficient in multidimensional parameter spaces are presented. The analysis method, which is similar to kriging in the spatial analysis literature, fits a statistical model to the output of the numerical model. The method is applied to a fully nonlinear, global, equivalent-barotropic dynamical model. The statistical model also provides estimates for the uncertainty of predicted numerical model output, which can provide guidance on where in the parameter space to conduct further experiments, if necessary. The method can provide significant improvements in the efficiency with which numerical sensitivity experiments are conducted.
A passive neutron spectrometer using a nuclear track detector

Abstract A detector has been developed for the spectral measurement of neutrons over a fluence range of approximately 1.5 × 10 8 to 5 × 10 11 neutrons/cm 2 and in the energy range between 3 and 20 MeV. The detector consists of a radiator whose nuclei are elastically scattered by neutrons, a degrader which reduces the energies of recoil nuclei transmitted through it, and a recorder capable of registering the tracks of energetic recoil nuclei. The detector offers the advantages of compactness, stable sensitivity, permanence of recorded data, and insensitivity to background radiations. There are no flux effects present or limitations due to reaction half-lives. Computer programs have been developed for calculating response from detector parameters (FLUENZ), for determining the angular response of the detector (SLANT), and for the unfolding of neutron spectra (HENDU).
AN INITIALIZATION METHOD FOR FEEDFORWARD ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS USING POLYNOMIAL BASES

We propose an initialization method for feedforward artificial neural networks (FFANNs) trained to model physical systems. A polynomial solution of the physical system is obtained using a mathematical model and then mapped into the neural network to initialize its weights. The network can next be trained with a dataset to refine its accuracy. We focus attention on an elliptical partial differential equation modeled using a feedforward backpropagation network. We present a numerical example and compare our method with other initialization methods. Our method converges nearly 90% faster compared to random weights, with higher probability of convergence to an acceptable local minimum.
Mechanics of semifluidization of single size particles in solid-liquid systems

Mechanical and dynamical characteristics of semifluidized beds of single-size particles in solid-liquid system were investigated. A semifluidized bed is a type of fluidized bed in which the bed expansion is partially restricted. The emphasis was placed on the study of packed bed formation and pressure drop increase when the semifluidized beds were formed by the compression of fluidized beds. The data showed good agreement with the theoretical and semiempirical equations based on a simple model of fluidized beds. The results of this investigation would also contribute to the understanding of fluidized beds.
Numerical Modeling of Specific Energy Consumption in Machining Process

Prediction and estimation of energy consumption of machining process are important for the optimization of the machining process and the environmental impact of manufacturing. Two energy consumption models are proposed in this paper. A novel numerical model is presented to roughly estimate the specific energy consumption (SEC) of a machining process based on the nameplate spindle power of the machine and the material removal rate (MRR). This model is validated and analyzed by experimental data from a variety of sources. The application range of the proposed model has been investigated. Another accurate SEC model, which is based on a specific machine and machine tool, is established for accurate energy consumption prediction. The accurate model is tested to have a confidence range of 97%.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Effects of control and of attentional instructions on arousal and fear during exposure to phobia-cue stimuli

Abstract Heart rates and skin-conductance levels were recorded among 16 snakefearful subjects who were exposed in yoked pairs to an approaching snake during eight 2-min trials. Retrospective ratings of fear were acquired from the 16 subjects after each of the eight exposure trials. Control over the distance between the subjects and the approaching snake alternated between paired subjects on successive trials. On different trials both subjects were instructed either to attend closely to features of the snake or to attend closely to their bodily fear reactions. The variable of self-versus partner control over presentation of the snake had no influence on the various measures of arousal/fear. Instructions to attend closely to the characteristics of the snake produced marginally higher skin conductance during exposure and higher retrospective reports of fear after exposure in contrast to instructions to attend to one's bodily reactions. Earlier findings of relatively high fear/arousal associated with self-control in this experimental preparation were not replicated; those findings might have been produced by an attention-activity confound. Earlier findings of relatively high fear/arousal following instructions to attend closely to feared stimuli were replicated for the third time, albeit not impressively.
Lucas Cranach's Christ Blessing the Children: A Problem of Lutheran Iconography

The story of Christ Blessing the Children, in which divine tenderness answers human love in the sublime saying, “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of heaven,” is related by three of the Evangelists, Matthew (19:13–15), Luke (18:15–17) and Mark (10: 13–16). It is noteworthy that, although this story is contained in three Gospels, it occurred so rarely in art before Lucas Cranach. In the Painters' Book of Mount Athos there is a simple description of this theme, but Didron, translator and commentator of the book, in a footnote states bluntly that this item is “modern.”1
MobiCom poster: public-key-based secure Internet access

After the vulnerabilities found in the WEP protocol, providing secure wireless network access has been shown to be a complicated task. This paper describes the specification of a two-protocol architecture that provides secure, flexible, and convenient Internet access. Mutual authentication between mobile clients and access points is performed using public keys tied to domain names while confidentiality, sender authentication and replay detection are provided on a per-frame basis, using per-client dynamic session keys. Designed for the mobile environment, the architecture also provides users with mobility between networks with different address prefixes.
Text summarization as a decision support aid

PubMed data potentially can provide decision support information, but PubMed was not exclusively designed to be a point-of-care tool. Natural language processing applications that summarize PubMed citations hold promise for extracting decision support information. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a text summarization application called Semantic MEDLINE, enhanced with a novel dynamic summarization method, in identifying decision support data. We downloaded PubMed citations addressing the prevention and drug treatment of four disease topics. We then processed the citations with Semantic MEDLINE, enhanced with the dynamic summarization method. We also processed the citations with a conventional summarization method, as well as with a baseline procedure. We evaluated the results using clinician-vetted reference standards built from recommendations in a commercial decision support product, DynaMed. For the drug treatment data, Semantic MEDLINE enhanced with dynamic summarization achieved average recall and precision scores of 0.848 and 0.377, while conventional summarization produced 0.583 average recall and 0.712 average precision, and the baseline method yielded average recall and precision values of 0.252 and 0.277. For the prevention data, Semantic MEDLINE enhanced with dynamic summarization achieved average recall and precision scores of 0.655 and 0.329. The baseline technique resulted in recall and precision scores of 0.269 and 0.247. No conventional Semantic MEDLINE method accommodating summarization for prevention exists. Semantic MEDLINE with dynamic summarization outperformed conventional summarization in terms of recall, and outperformed the baseline method in both recall and precision. This new approach to text summarization demonstrates potential in identifying decision support data for multiple needs.
Liver transplantation for non–hepatocellular carcinoma malignancy: Indications, limitations, and analysis of the current literature

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is currently incorporated into the treatment regimens for specific nonhepatocellular malignancies. For patients suffering from early-stage, unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), OLT preceded by neoadjuvant radiotherapy has the potential to readily achieve a tumor-free margin, accomplish a radical resection, and treat underlying primary sclerosing cholangitis when present. In highly selected stage I and II patients with CCA, the 5-year survival rate is 80%. As additional data are accrued, OLT with neoadjuvant chemoradiation may become a viable alternative to resection for patients with localized, node-negative hilar CCA. Hepatic involvement from neuroendocrine tumors can be treated with OLT when metastases are unresectable or for palliation of medically uncontrollable symptoms. Five-year survival rates as high as 90% have been reported, and the Ki67 labeling index can be used to predict outcomes after OLT. Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare tumor of vascular origin. The data from single-institution series are limited, but compiled reviews have reported 1- and 10-year survival rates of 96% and 72%, respectively. Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary hepatic malignancy in children. There exist subtle differences in the timing of chemotherapy between US and European centers; however, the long-term survival rate after transplantation ranges from 66% to 77%. Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is a distinct liver malignancy best treated by surgical resection. However, there is an increasing amount of data supporting OLT when resection is contraindicated. In the treatment of either primary or metastatic hepatic sarcomas, unacceptable survival and recurrence rates currently prohibit the use of OLT.
Neodymium: YAG laser vitreolysis for treatment and prophylaxis of cystoid macular oedema

Eighteen eyes with vitreous strands adherent to the corneoscleral wound of previous cataract surgery were treated with neodymium: YAG laser to achieve vitreolysis. Twelve eyes were treated for management of cystoid macular oedema (CMO group) and six eyes were treated for prophylaxis of possible CMO (prophylactic group). In the CMO group, visual acuity improved two or more Snellen lines in 10 eyes (83.3%) and seven eyes had a post-laser visual acuity of 20/40 or better (one eye had a pre-treatment visual acuity of 20/40 or better). In the prophylactic group, visual acuity was either maintained at the pre-treatment level or improved in five eyes (83.3%) eighteen months after laser treatment. This procedure was complicated by retinal detachment in one case and elevation of intraocular pressure over 10 mmHg in another case.
Characterization and Prediction of Texture in Laser Annealed NiTi Shape Memory Thin Films

Thin film shape memory alloys are a promising material for use in micro-scale devices for actuation and sensing due to their strong actuating force, substantial displacements, and large surface to volume ratios. NiTi, in particular, has been of great interest due to its biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. Effort has been directed toward adjusting the microstructure of as-deposited films in order to modify their shape memory properties for specific applications. The anisotropy of the shape memory and superelastic effects suggests that inducing preferred orientations could allow for optimization of shape memory properties. Limited work, however, has been performed on adjusting the crystallographic texture of these films. In this study, thin film NiTi samples are processed using excimer laser crystallization and the effect on the overall preferred orientation is analyzed through the use of electron backscatter diffraction and x-ray diffraction. A 3dimensional Monte Carlo grain growth model is developed to characterize textures formed through surface energy induced abnormal grain growth during solidification. Furthermore, a scaling factor between Monte Carlo steps and real time is determined to aid in the prediction of texture changes during laser crystallization in the partial melting regime.
Differences between WISC-III and WISC-R IQs: A Preliminary Investigation

Differences between WISC-III and WISC-R IQs of 257 children (1 18 with Specific Learning Disability, 79 with Mental Retardation, and 60 who were not classified as disabled) were examined. As anticipated, the WISC-III and WISC-R IQs were highly correlated, ranging from .84 for the Full Scale IQs to .80 for the Performance IQs. The WISC-III Full Scale, Verbal, and Performance IQs were 7.2, 5.8, and 7.5 points lower than corresponding WISC-R values. The size of the difference between WISC-III and WISC-R IQs was correlated significantly with WISC-R (r = .34) and WISC-III (r = -.23) IQs. Differences in the size of the IQ drop were in part a function of disability group membership: Students with learning disabilities differed in the likelihood of increases and decreases in IQs in comparison to students with mental retardation. Sex was unrelated to the size of the IQ drop. Amount and direction of change were predicted by subtest scores. Importantly, high Object Assembly and Coding scores were primary factors in ...
A theory of serial entrepreneurship

The contribution of serial entrepreneurs to entrepreneurial activity is significant: in Europe, 18–30% of entrepreneurs are serial; in the US, their contribution is about one-eighth. Yet, theories of entrepreneurship and industry dynamics presume that all firms are launched by novice entrepreneurs and firm failure is synonymous with exit from entrepreneurship. We propose a theory of serial entrepreneurship in which an entrepreneur has three occupational choices: maintain his business in operation, shut it down to enter the labor market to earn an exogenous wage, or shut it down to launch a new venture while incurring a serial startup cost. In equilibrium, a high-skill entrepreneur shuts down a business of low quality to become a serial entrepreneur, launching and subsequently closing firms until a high quality business is found; a low-skill entrepreneur shuts down a business of low quality to enter the labor market, never to become a serial entrepreneur. A decrease in the wage or serial startup cost, or an increase in the startup capital, enhances the contribution of serial entrepreneurs to entrepreneurial activity and promotes new firm formation (by increasing entrepreneurship and the number of new firms that survive), but its effect on the exit rate of new firms is ambiguous. We show the model is consistent with evidence relating to the impact of an entrepreneur’s characteristics and prior experience in entrepreneurship on the survival of his firm and his entry into and survival in entrepreneurship.
Photoproduction of Negative and Positive Pions from Deuterium for Photon Energies 500 to 1000 Mev

The ratio of the yields of negative and positive pions photoproduced in deuterium has been measured at six photon energies between 500 and 1000 Mev and at seven angles between 20° and 160° in the center-of-momentum system of the photon and target nucleon. Pions were selected with a magnetic spectrometer and identified using momentum and specific ionization in a scintillation counter telescope. The spectator model of the deuteron was used to identify the photon energy. Statistical errors assigned to the π- / π+ ratio range between five and fifteen percent. The results of the present experiment join smoothly with the low-energy π- / π+ ratios obtained by Sands et al. At high energies the π- / π+ ratio varies from 0.5 at forward angles and energies near 900 Mev to 2.5 at 160° c.m. and energies 600 to 800 Mev. The cross sections for π- photo-production from neutrons have been derived from the π- / π+ ratio and the CalTech π+ photoproduction data. The angular distributions for π- production are considerably different from those for π+; there is, for example, a systematic increase at the most backward angles. The energy dependence of the total cross section for π- is similar to that for π+, although the second resonance peak occurs at a slightly lower energy, and at 900 and 1000 Mev the π- cross section is smaller by a factor 1.6. A comparison is made of the cross sections for π+ photoproduction from hydrogen and deuterium, although the accuracy of this comparison is not high.
Reflections on sustainability population growth and the environment.

The related terms, “sustainable” and “sustainability,” have become popular and are used to describe a wide variety of activities which are generally ecologically laudable. At the same time, the term “compromise” is heard more frequently because the needs of the environment often are in conflict with the needs of humans. A brief examination of the question of compromise shows that a series of ten compromises, each of which saves 70% of the remaining environment, results in the saving of only 3% of the environment. Judging from the ways in which the terms “sustainable” and “sustainability” are used, their definitions are not very precise, especially when compromises are involved. An attempt is made here to give firm definition to these terms and to translate the definition into a series of laws and hypotheses which, it is hoped, will clarify the implications of their use. These are followed by a series of observations and predictions that relate to “sustainability.”
Effect of Fe–Al substrate mechanical properties on alumina scale morphology

Abstract The alumina scale formed on undoped iron aluminides (Fe–40Al and Fe–28Al–2Cr) was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). For cast alloys, a convoluted scale was observed after exposures at 950° and 1000 °C. However, oxide dispersed Fe–28Al–2Cr formed a flat oxide after similar exposures. To clarify the role of the substrate, the high temperature mechanical properties of these materials were studied in tension and/or compression. The largest scale convolutions were observed on the material with the lowest 1000 °C yield stress, wrought Fe–28Al–2Cr, suggesting that substrate mechanical properties can explain the observed differences in scale morphology.
Kaposi's sarcoma.

A review of Kaposi's sarcoma and 2 case abstracts are presented. There are many conflicting theories about the pathogenesis of this multiple hemorrhagic sarcomatosis of the skin and internal organs. Clinically, in the adult, it may run a relatively benign course, though subject to recurrences. The differential diagnosis is important, as several other diseases resemble it. In cases in which bleeding of an internal organ is the only presenting symptom, a history of a forgotten healed skin lesion may be an important clue. X-ray therapy is the most effective treatment.
Resistivity and superconductivity from anharmonic phonons.

The electrical resistivity is calculated for electron scattering from anharmonic phonons. We consider phonon potential energies of the form [similar to][ital Q][sup [ital n]], as well as double-well potentials [similar to][ital Q][sup 4][minus][alpha][ital Q][sup 2]. For phonon potential energies with a power law [similar to][ital Q][sup [ital n]], the resistivity at high temperature is proportional to [ital T][sup 2/[ital n]]. At low temperature, the resistivity rises rapidly and then flattens, thereby forming a knee shape. This behavior explains the resistivity of cuprate superconductors in the normal state. We also correlate resistivity with the superconducting transition temperature [ital T][sub [ital c]], to see whether anharmonic phonons cause the pair binding in the superconductor. Our results show that a reasonable set of parameters to explain the resistivity is unable to explain the [ital T][sub [ital c]] of these materials.
Efficacy of quality criteria to identify potentially harmful information: a cross-sectional survey of complementary and alternative medicine web sites.

BACKGROUND: Many users search the Internet for answers to health questions. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a particularly common search topic. Because many CAM therapies do not require a clinician's prescription, false or misleading CAM information may be more dangerous than information about traditional therapies. Many quality criteria have been suggested to filter out potentially harmful online health information. However, assessing the accuracy of CAM information is uniquely challenging since CAM is generally not supported by conventional literature. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine whether domain-independent technical quality criteria can identify potentially harmful online CAM content. METHODS: We analyzed 150 Web sites retrieved from a search for the three most popular herbs: ginseng, ginkgo and St. John's wort and their purported uses on the ten most commonly used search engines. The presence of technical quality criteria as well as potentially harmful statements (commissions) and vital information that should have been mentioned (omissions) was recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-eight sites (25%) contained statements that could lead to direct physical harm if acted upon. One hundred forty five sites (97%) had omitted information. We found no relationship between technical quality criteria and potentially harmful information. CONCLUSIONS: Current technical quality criteria do not identify potentially harmful CAM information online. Consumers should be warned to use other means of validation or to trust only known sites. Quality criteria that consider the uniqueness of CAM must be developed and validated. [J Med Internet Res 2004;6(2):e21]
Terrestrial and lunar flux of large meteorites in the last two billion years

Abstract The Canadian shield can be divided into three main provinces with exposure ages ranging from 8 × 10 9 to 2 × 10 9 years. Craters of diameter greater than 10 km should be observable there even after such long periods. Counts of probable meteorite craters give determinations of the cratering rate in each province. The three independent determinations lie well within the range 1 × 10 −4 to 15 × 10 −4 craters larger than 1 km per km 2 per 10 9 years, and the true rate is expected to lie within these limits. These figures are within the uncertainty of other published determinations for more recent periods of time. A 1-km crater diameter corresponds to an impacting mass of about 6 × 10 10 gm on the Earth and about 1.6 × 10 11 gm on the Moon. The cratering rate can thus be transformed into a mass flux. After a survey of other published determinations it is estimated that the terrestrial cratering rate over the last 2 × 10 9 years has averaged about 12 × 10 −4 craters larger than 1 km/km 2 /10 9 years and in the same units the lunar rate has averaged 5 × 10 −4 since the formation of the lunar maria.
A metal-on-silicon differential capacitive shear stress sensor

The paper presents a direct, capacitive shear stress sensor with performance sufficient for time-resolved turbulence measurements. The device employs a bulk-micromachined, metal-plated, differential capacitive floating-element design. A simple, two-mask fabrication process is used with DRIE on an SOI wafer to form a tethered floating element structure with comb fingers for transduction. Experimental results indicate a linear sensitivity of 7.66 mV/Pa up to the testing limit of 1.9 Pa at a bias voltage of 10V , and a bandwidth of 6.2 kHz . The sensor possesses a dynamic range ≫ 102 dB and a noise floor of 14.9 μPa/Hz at 1 kHz , outperforming previously reported sensors by nearly two orders of magnitude in MDS.
Image-based mass-spring model of mitral valve closure for surgical planning

Surgical repair of the mitral valve is preferred in most cases over valve replacement, but replacement is often performed instead due to the technical difficulty of repair. A surgical planning system based on patient-specific medical images that allows surgeons to simulate and compare potential repair strategies could greatly improve surgical outcomes. In such a surgical simulator, the mathematical model of mechanics used to close the valve must be able to compute the closed state quickly and to handle the complex boundary conditions imposed by the chords that tether the valve leaflets. We have developed a system for generating a triangulated mesh of the valve surface from volumetric image data of the opened valve. We then compute the closed position of the mesh using a mass-spring model of dynamics. The triangulated mesh is produced by fitting an isosurface to the volumetric image data, and boundary conditions, including the valve annulus and chord endpoints, are identified in the image data using a graphical user interface. In the mass-spring model, triangle sides are treated as linear springs, and sides shared by two triangles are treated as bending springs. Chords are treated as nonlinear springs, and self-collisions are detected and resolved. Equations of motion are solved using implicit numerical integration. Accuracy was assessed by comparison of model results with an image of the same valve taken in the closed state. The model exhibited rapid valve closure and was able to reproduce important features of the closed valve.
Topical application of entry inhibitors as "virustats" to prevent sexual transmission of HIV infection.

With the continuing march of the AIDS epidemic and little hope for an effective vaccine in the near future, work to develop a topical strategy to prevent HIV infection is increasingly important. This stated, the track record of large scale "microbicide" trials has been disappointing with nonspecific inhibitors either failing to protect women from infection or even increasing HIV acquisition. Newer strategies that target directly the elements needed for viral entry into cells have shown promise in non-human primate models of HIV transmission and as these agents have not yet been broadly introduced in regions of highest HIV prevalence, they are particularly attractive for prophylaxis. We review here the agents that can block HIV cellular entry and that show promise as topical strategies or "virustats" to prevent mucosal transmission of HIV infection
Defective Viral Genomes Arising In Vivo Provide Critical Danger Signals for the Triggering of Lung Antiviral Immunity

The innate immune response to viruses is initiated when specialized cellular sensors recognize viral danger signals. Here we show that truncated forms of viral genomes that accumulate in infected cells potently trigger the sustained activation of the transcription factors IRF3 and NF-κB and the production type I IFNs through a mechanism independent of IFN signaling. We demonstrate that these defective viral genomes (DVGs) are generated naturally during respiratory infections in vivo even in mice lacking the type I IFN receptor, and their appearance coincides with the production of cytokines during infections with Sendai virus (SeV) or influenza virus. Remarkably, the hallmark antiviral cytokine IFNβ is only expressed in lung epithelial cells containing DVGs, while cells within the lung that contain standard viral genomes alone do not express this cytokine. Together, our data indicate that DVGs generated during viral replication are a primary source of danger signals for the initiation of the host immune response to infection.
Retrenchment, Expansion and the Transformation of Mexican Social Protection Policies

Social protection policies in Mexico have been transformed since 1988 through partial retrenchment of social insurance and significant expansion of targeted or means-tested social assistance. These changes reflect a substantial re-definition of social protection through incremental changes in policy. The changes reflect the abandonment of the goal of developing an employment-based, universal welfare regime, which had been pursued by Mexican governments as late as the 1970s. Instead, recent administrations have moved toward the redefinition of Mexico's welfare regime into a residual, mean-tested model with significant private provision of benefits and services. This shift in social protection is consistent with the change in Mexico’s overall economic development strategy and increasing political competition in the process of democratization.
Lyapunov characterization of forced oscillations

This paper develops a Lyapunov approach to the analysis of input-output characteristics for systems under the excitation of a class of oscillatory inputs. Apart from sinusoidal signals, the class of oscillatory inputs include multi-tone signals and periodic signals which can be described as the output of an autonomous system. The Lyapunov approach is developed for linear systems, homogeneous systems (differential inclusions) and nonlinear systems (differential inclusions), respectively. In particular, it is established that the steady-state gain can be arbitrarily closely characterized with Lyapunov functions if the output response converges exponentially to the steady-state. Other output measures that will be characterized include the peak of the transient response and the convergence rate. Tools based on linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) are developed for the numerical analysis of linear differential inclusions (LDIs). This paper's results can be readily applied to the evaluation of frequency responses of general nonlinear and uncertain systems by restricting the inputs to sinusoidal signals. Guided by the numerical result for a second order LDI, an interesting phenomenon is observed that the peak of the frequency response can be strictly larger than the L"2 gain.
Estimating and Enhancing Real-Time Data Service Delays: Control-Theoretic Approaches

It is essential to process real-time data service requests such as stock quotes and trade transactions in a timely manner using fresh data, which represent the current real-world phenomena such as the stock market status. Users may simply leave when the database service delay is excessive. Also, temporally inconsistent data may give an outdated view of the real-world status. However, supporting the desired timeliness and freshness is challenging due to dynamic workloads. To address the problem, we present new approaches for 1) database backlog estimation, 2) fine-grained closed-loop admission control based on the backlog model, and 3) incoming load smoothing. Our backlog estimation and control-theoretic approaches aim to support the desired service delay bound without degrading the data freshness, critical for real-time data services. Specifically, we design, implement, and evaluate two feedback controllers based on linear control theory and fuzzy logic control theory, to meet the desired service delay. Workload smoothing, under overload, helps the database admit and process more transactions in a timely fashion by probabilistically reducing the burstiness of incoming data service requests. In terms of the data service delay and throughput, our closed-loop admission control and probabilistic load smoothing schemes considerably outperform several baselines in the experiments undertaken in a stock trading database testbed.
Measurement of turbulent fluctuations in high-speed flows using hot wires and hot films.

A hot wire has a limited life in high‐speed wind‐tunnel flows because it is typically subjected to large dynamic loads. As a consequence hot films and modified hot wires are frequently used for turbulence measurements in such flows. However, the fluctuation sensitivities of such probes are reduced because of various factors, leading to erroneous results. This paper described the results of tests on some sensors in both subsonic and supersonic boundary‐layer flows. A simple technique to determine dynamic calibration correction factors for the sensitivities is also presented.
THE INFLUENCE OF EFFERENT CEREBRAL PATHWAYS UPON THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Using the galvanic skin response as a measure of sweat-gland activity, the controlling influences from the cortex, brain-stem and spinal cord were investigated. Definite galvanic skin responses were obtained from faradic stimulation of two areas adjacent to the motor cortex, from the floor of the third ventricle, from the cortico-spinal and rubro-spinal tracts, from the vestibular nuclei, from the posterior column nuclei and from the posterior columns of the cervical cord. It is concluded that the same cerebro-efferent pathways which influence somatic motor cells also control preganglionic sympathetic cells; this cerebral control is predominantly an inhibitory one. Any cerebral centres influencing lower centres seem to exert final control through well-known cerebro-efferent pathways.
A functional expansion approach to the solution of nonlinear feedback problems

This paper presents two results: (i) a new structure for the solution of nonlinear analytic systems, and (ii) an application of Bellman's Fundamental Technique to obtain the sub-optimal-feedback control of a class of quasilinear systems with non-quadratic performance indices. The application of the Fundamental Technique with a non-linear auxiliary equation is shown to result in higher order approximating equations which are linear. Using the method by separation of variables, two examples are solved.
Etiology, Epidemiology, and Natural History

Historically, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been a major focus of urologic practice and surgery. But a simplistic causal relationship among prostatic enlargement, progressive obstruction, lower urinary tract symptoms, retention, and complications of retention has been challenged by recognition of the incomplete overlap of prostatic enlargement with symptoms and obstruction. The result has been a greater focus on symptoms than prostatic enlargement and a shift from surgery to medical treatment. Therefore, the question can be asked whether BPH per se, the glandular enlargement as it contributes to bladder dysfunction, or hyperplastic enlargement as a biomarker for generalized lower urinary tract dysfunction are concerns. This article addresses these issues.
Maternal Time Allocation in Relation to Kind and Domain of Primary Health Care

In this article I review research questions and findings in the area of maternal time allocation and child health and nutrition as an introduction to more general issues related to time allocation and primary health care. I present an organizing framework for thinking about primary health care activities which focuses on the kind of care required (prevention, management) and the domain in which it takes place (home, clinic, community). I hypothesize that the determinants of people's participation in different health activities vary according to kind and domain of care. This proposition is examined in relation to maternal time constraints by presenting four examples of time-related studies in Haiti and Rwanda. The examples identify two key factors, child's age and availability of competent caretakers, which influence health behavior across different kinds and domains of care. I conclude by considering the implications of these ideas for new research, study design, and health policy.