cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low colorectal anastomosis after radical pelvic surgery: A risk factor analysis

Abstract Objective: This study was conducted to analyze our experience with low (8-12 cm above the anal verge) and very low ( Study Design: A retrospective review of 77 patients undergoing supralevator pelvic exenteration with low colorectal resection and primary anastomosis in our gynecologic oncology service was carried out. Data were obtained from patient medical records and from the tumor registry. Univariate statistical analysis of the data was used. Results: The distribution of primary malignancies in this cohort was as follows: 33 (43%) recurrent or primary cervical carcinomas, 27 (35%) primary or recurrent ovarian carcinomas, 7 (9%) recurrent vaginal carcinomas, 4 (5%) endometrial carcinomas, 3 (4%) colon carcinomas, and 3 (4%) cases of stage IV endometriosis. Forty patients underwent total pelvic exenteration, and 37 patients underwent posterior exenteration. Thirty-six patients in the total pelvic exenteration group had a history of pelvic irradiation. Twelve (30%) of these patients had development of breakdown or fistulas of the anastomosis. Six of the 12 patients (50%) had undergone protective colostomy. Thirty-seven patients underwent posterior exenteration with primary anastomosis for ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, or endometriosis, and only 1 of these had received pelvic irradiation. This patient did not have a protective colostomy, and a rectovaginal fistula developed. In addition, there were 3 other breakdowns in the posterior exenteration group. Finally, the presence of preoperative ascites did not appear to alter the breakdown rate of the anastomosis among the patients with ovarian cancer who underwent cytoreductive surgery. Conclusion: Radical resection of pelvic tissue remains a crucial part of the armamentarium of the gynecologic oncologist. Previous pelvic irradiation appears to be a major risk factor (35% vs 7.5%) for anastomotic breakdown and fistulas, independent of the presence of a protective colostomy. The overall results appear to be better for patients undergoing this procedure as part of a posterior exenteration. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:1375-80.)
chasing the blood tie: surrogate mothers, adoptive mothers and fathers

This article examines the ways in which surrogates, fathers, and adoptive mothers negotiate the novel terrain that came into existence with the advent of surrogate motherhood. It is suggested that women who choose to become surrogate mothers do so as a means of transcending the limitations of their roles as wives, mothers, and homemakers while concomitantly attesting to the importance of those roles and to the sense of satisfaction they derive from them. Like surrogates, commissioning couples who enter into a surrogate arrangement focus less on the aspects of surrogacy that depart from tradition than they do on those that are consistent with American kinship ideology, most notably in their emphasis on the importance of family and nurturance. [reproduction, parenthood, family, kinship, nurturance]
Separation of irreversibly sickled cells (ISC) from blood of sickle cell anemia patients

The irreversibly sickled cell (ISC) fraction in sickle cell anemia (homozygous hemoglobin S) was separated from the bulk of erythrocytes by performing a neutral density separation in bovine serum albumin (BSA), ϱ = 1.1 g cm−3, pH = 6.8. The ISC and non-ISC fractions were identified by both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Electronic cell volume analysis confirmed the separation of these cell fractions and provided evidence for the origin of the polydispersity of cell volumes in unfractionated sickle cell blood. Normal ISC proportions range from 0 to 35% in sickle cell anemia patients.
Factors that influence the expansion of the microenterprise sector: results from three national surveys in Zimbabwe

Using panel data from three nationwide surveys in Zimbabwe, an error components model is estimated to explore the factors that drive the small-enterprise sector. Among labour-intensive industries in urban areas, entry of new enterprises appears to be driven by surplus labour. This is supported by low barriers to entry and the negative relationship between economic growth and entry rates. In contrast, entry in capital-intensive industries is unrelated to economic growth and it is characterized by significant barriers to entry, including capital, working capital, and proprietor experience. With the exception of labour-intensive industries in rural areas, entry in all other small-enterprise industries is positively correlated with agricultural income. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo test system for tumor production by cell lines derived from lower vertebrates

The immune suppressed lizard, Anolis carolinensis, can be used to test for in vivo tumor production by cell lines derived from a variety of ectothermic vertebrates. Cell lines tested for tumor production were also assessed for loss of attachment-dependent proliferation and contact inhibition of cell overlap. The results demonstrate that the criteria standardly used to assess transformation and neoplastic change in cultured mammalian cells apply equally well to cultured cells from ectotherms.
Stabilization of the offset frequency of an all polarization-maintaining fiber erbium frequency comb

We demonstrate a completely polarization-maintaining fiber frequency comb operating at a 200 MHz repetition rate and show initial phase-locking of the carrier-envelope offset frequency. This design is compatible with a robust, fieldable frequency comb. Work of the U.S. government, not subject to copyright.
White matter hyperintensities and medication adherence

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are high-intensity periventricular, or deep, patchy areas in the white matter of the brain viewed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and are associated with neuronal loss, ischemic demyelination, and gliosis (Pantoni, 2002). Several factors are associated with the development of WMH including age (Basile et al., 2006), hypertension (Dufouil et al., 2001; van Swieten et al., 1991) and other diseases that affect the vascular system including diabetes (Murray et al., 2005). The associated factors may cause changes in brain morphology individually or may interact and thereby exacerbate the effects of each other. For example, it has been suggested that hypertension exacerbates the brain morphological changes that accompany aging (Strassburger et al., 1997). WMH are associated with cognitive decline (Breteler et al., 1994; De Groot et al., 2002; Deary, Leaper, Murray, Staff, & Whalley, 2003; Leaper et al., 2001). For example, individuals with WMH, particularly those with confluent lesions, demonstrate lower immediate and delayed recall and slower performance on Trail Making B and the Stroop interference tests (van Swieten et al., 1991). Perseveration on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test is also linked to WMH in the frontal region (Gunning-Dixon & Raz, 2003; Raz, Rodrigue, & Acker, 2003). Cognitive function, particularly assessments of prefrontal function, has been shown to predict medication adherence among older adults (Insel, Morrow, Brewer, & Figueredo, 2006). If it is also shown that the presence of WMH predicts medication non-adherence, then further insights into the pathophysiology and morphology of WMH may provide crucial information for addressing medication adherence neurologically. Therefore, this investigation examined the associations among WMH, blood pressure, age, cognitive function, and medication adherence in middle-aged and older adults self-managing at least one prescribed daily antihypertensive agent. We hypothesized that the presence of WMH among older hypertensive adults would be associated with medication adherence.
The generalized Marcinkiewicz-Zygmund inequality for trigonometric polynomials

Abstract The well-known Marcinkiewicz-Zygmund inequality ∫ 0 2x |T(x)| p dx 1 p ⩽A p 1 n ∑ k=0 2n T 2kπ 2n+1 p 1 p , 1 , where T is a trigonometric polynomial of degree n and Ap depends on p only, will be generalized to have the right hand side containing the derivative values as well. The results will then be applied to prove the mean convergence of the Hermite interpolation by trigonometric polynomials on equidistant nodes.
C.R.A.C.K.: Unethical? What about misogynist, racist, and classist?

Children Requiring a Caring Kommunity (C.R.A.C.K.) aims to reduce the number of children born drug affected by offering money to substance using women to terminate reproductive rights. While the goal of improving the lives of children born to mothers who use substances may be noble, ensuring that they are not born is not. It could be suggested that this program is the product of simplistic assumptions by well-meaning individuals who have a misunderstanding of the issues, but a genuine concern for the children of substance users. This article argues that the program is much more insidious; that the very assumption on which it is based denigrates female substance users and harbors a base sentiment that is anti-poor, anti-woman, and anti-minority. If the outcome is the prevention of the birth of individuals who are deemed less valuable than others, then this program is simply a return to the policies of eugenics.
X Irradiation and Toxin Neutralization by Antitoxin

A small area of the skin of normal rabbits was exposed to 1000 r and, after a given interval, 15 units of horse serum diphtheria antitoxin were injected subcutaneously in that area and simultaneously a lethal (25 MLD) dose of homologous toxin in another area. As controls, non-irradiated rabbits of similar weight were injected with the same quantities of antitoxin and of toxin at the same time as the irradiated rabbits and under identical conditions. Five intervals following the irradiation were employed for the injection of the antitoxin and the toxin: 1 to 3 hours, 24 hours, 7 days, 14 days, and 90 days. It was found that, of the irradiated rabbits, 55% survived the toxin when the antitoxin was injected 1 to 3 hours after the exposure, 100% survived when the antitoxin was injected 24 hours after, 47% survived when the antitoxin was injected 7 days after, 27% survived when the antitoxin was injected 14 days after and none of the rabbits survived when the antitoxin was injected 90 days after. Of the non-irradiated controls, an average of 20% survived the toxin. The results indicated that a restricted amount of antitoxin injected subcutaneously in an irradiated area up tomore » 7 days after exposure to 1000 r was more effective in the neutralization of a lethal dose of toxin than the same amount injected into a corresponding area of non-irradiated rabbits and the most marked neutralization occurred 24 hours after the exposure. By 14 days after the exposure, the neutralization of the toxin reached the control level, but 90 days after, no neutralization of the toxin was observed. The basis for the non-neutralization of the toxin in any of the rabbits was apparently not an insufficiency of the subcutaneouslyinjected antitoxin, which consisted of 15 units, since 5 units injected intravenously were found to be ample for neutralization of the same dose of toxin. The non-protection was due most likely to the localization of the proteins of the antitoxin, consisting of 0.75 mg, in the area of injection, preventing thereby the antitoxic fraction from reaching the toxin in time for neutralization. When the 15 units of antitoxin were injected in the irradiated area 1 to 3 hours after exposure to 1000 r, 45% of the rabbits showed localization of the protein. None of the rabbits showed localization when injected 24 hours after, 53% showed localization when injected 7 days after, 73% showed localization when injected 14 days after and 100% showed localization of the 0.75 mg protein when injected 90 days after the exposure to 1000 r. With regard to the controls, an average of 80% of the non-irradiated rabbits localized this fraction of a milligram of protein in the subcutaneously injected area. Localization in these experiments was undoubtedly temporary in nature, preceding proteolysis. But the length of time of localization was apparently sufficient to so retain the antitoxic fraction in the injected area as to prevent it from reaching and neutralizing the toxin. (auth)« less
Intermediate-range forces?

It is shown that an intermediate-range variation in the gravitational “force” can be obtained through a generalized scalar-tensor theory of gravity.
Topological numbering of features on a mesh

Assume we are given ann ×n binary image containing horizontally convex features; i.e., for each feature, each of its row's pixels form an interval on that row. In this paper we consider the problem of assigning topological numbers to such features, i.e., assign a number to every featuref so that all features to the left off in the image have a smaller number assigned to them. This problem arises in solutions to the stereo matching problem. We present a parallel algorithm to solve the topological numbering problem inO(n) time on ann ×n mesh of processors. The key idea of our solution is to create a tree from which the topological numbers can be obtained even though the tree does not uniquely represent the "to the left of" relationship of the features.
The inviscid stagnation-flow solidification problem

The stagnation-flow Stefan solidification problem is defined and investigated. By applying the method of instantaneous similarity, the temperature field, the solid-liquid interface location and its growth rate, valid for the initial stages of solidification, are obtained. Furthermore, with the use of the quasi-steady approximation, a solution of the problem valid for the final stages of solidification is obtained. The analysis reveals a fundamental difference between the stagnation-flow solidification behavior and that in the classical Stefan solidification problem. Both methods of solution are used to show that the solidification front grows asymptotically to a finite maximum value as time goes to infinity. For large values of time, both methods yield the same temperature distribution and the same value of the solid phase thickness, which are independent of the Stefan number.
Cigarettes, culture, and Korean American emerging adults: an exploratory qualitative study.

Korean American emerging adults (KAEA) constitute an understudied, at-risk group for smoking and related health consequences. The cultural meanings of smoking and cessation among KAEA were explored. Sixty-seven KAEA participated in 10 focus groups. Themes from the sessions were identified and domain analysis was conducted. Regarding reasons for smoking, we identified (a) association between the culture of origin and gender identification, (b) access/availability of cigarettes in homes/community, and (c) competing social environments where KAEA adjust their health behaviors. Regarding contexts for cessation, we identified (a) a sense of invincibility/denial, (b) lack of role models or pressure to quit, and (c) lack of significant life events. Using cessation aids represented lacking personal discipline/willpower. The results show that smoking among KAEA is highly contextualized in the culture of origin, despite U.S. tobacco control policies. Implications for culturally sensitive prevention/cessation progra...
A differential dynamic programming algorithm for differential games

We develop and prove the convergence of a first-order differential dynamic programming algorithm for the solution of a zero-sum two-person differential game with perfect information. The algorithm extends a first-order strong variation algorithm for optimal control given by Mayne and Polak. Assuming separability of the Hamiltonian, we decompose the differential game problem into two control subproblems, C1 and C2. The objective is to determine a point (u*, v*) in U×V, where U and V are the control spaces for C1 and C2, respectively, that satisfies an integral form of Pontryagin's maximum principle for differential games. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Telephone Intervention With Family Caregivers of Stroke Survivors After Rehabilitation

Background and Purpose— Social problem-solving therapy shows promise as an intervention to improve the well-being of family caregivers. There is some evidence that training in problem solving may be effectively delivered by telephone. The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of social problem-solving telephone partnerships on primary family caregiver outcomes after stroke survivors are discharged home from a rehabilitation facility. Methods— Using a randomized 3-group repeated-measures experimental design, 74 stroke survivors with an admitting diagnosis of ischemic stroke and their primary family caregivers were entered into the study. The intervention consisted of an initial 3-hour home visit between a trained nurse and the family caregiver within 1 week after discharge to begin problem-solving skill training. This initial session was followed by weekly (the first month) and biweekly (the second and third month) telephone contacts. Results— Compared with the sham intervention and control grou...
An autosomal dwarfism in the domestic fowl.

Abstract A mutation in the Cornell K-strain of White Leghorns, first recognized when two adult males in a pedigreed family were definitely smaller than their two other brothers, proved to be an autosomal recessive mutation and gave rise to the autosomal dwarf stock. The effect of this gene (adw) can be recognized during embryonic development and leads to a normal adult, except for a 30% reduction in body weight. Selection for small size, egg production, and egg weight over a period of 15 yr yielded an efficient layer. Production for 11 mo from first egg was at a rate of 70%, with egg weight at 56 g and body weight at 1,160 g at 10 to 11 mo of age, based on data for the last four generations. Viability of the caged hens averaged over 95% for the 13 generations involved. Sexual maturity was delayed by about 2 wk, and good incubation (85+%) required 18+/- more hours than normal. When an autosomal dwarf male is used as a sire and mated to sex-linked dwarf (dw) females, all progeny are of normal size. Compared with problems of mating normal size males with dwarf females, the use of the two types of dwarfism can yield good fertility.
A laboratory system for examining the influence of light on diel activity of stream macro-invertebrates

I describe a laboratory system for investigating the role of light as a proximate cue for diel changes in locomotor activity and vertical location on the substrate of stream macro-invertebrates. The system consisted of computercontrolled halogen lamps positioned over a laboratory stream in which video-recordings were made of Stenonema modestum mayfly nymphs located on the undersides of unglazed tile substrates. Locomotor activity of study organisms in response to light changes were quantified during computer-programmed and reproducible light/dark (LD) cycles. The system provided the flexibility to simulate a variety of light environments so that the separate influences of light intensity and light change on diel activities of individuals and populations could be examined, which is difficult under natural light conditions. As a group, nymphs responded similarly to simulated twilight (light decrease from 7.9 × 10 2 to 6.9 × 10 −2 µ Wc m −2 at a constant –1.9 × 10 −3 s −1 rate of relative light change) and to natural twilight, suggesting that proposed mechanisms of light control of diel activities in nature can be adequately tested in the simulated environment. However, locomotor activity and vertical movements among individual mayflies were highly variable under controlled conditions, suggesting that physiological differences influence their responses to environmental conditions.
Embedded Tutorial ET4: Advanced Techniques for Programming Networked Embedded Systems

Summary form only given. This tutorial will present advanced, state-of-the-art techniques to program networked embedded systems such as wireless sensor networks. We will start with a quick introduction to distributed wireless sensor nets and the salient characteristics of today?s sensor node hardware platforms. This will lead us to the key challenges involved in writing software for these systems and why they are so difficult to program correctly. We will then present various programming techniques that have been proposed to address these challenges. These techniques utilize new and novel programming abstractions, languages, and frameworks that address the unique requirements and characteristics of networked embedded systems. In particular, we will discuss an approach called macroprogramming, in which entire groups of embedded sensor nodes can be programmed as a collective, as opposed to programming individual nodes. The techniques that will be presented have all been validated using real sensor network deployments and example programs from these deployments will also be discussed. Finally, we will also highlight recent industrial activity in this area, such as the IBM Mote Runner programming framework and run-time environment for wireless sensor networks. This embedded tutorial is targeted at students, researchers, and software engineers working in the area of embedded systems, who want to learn about the key issues and challenges involved in programming networked embedded systems and state-of-the-art solutions to these challenges.
Fungemia observations of peripheral tissue clearance in humans.

Patients with fungemia, mainly due to Candida albicans, had cultures repeated from arterial and venous sites to determine yeast cell clearance during fungemia. Of the 48 patients, 37 had repeat positive cultures (36 arterial and venous samples; one venous culture). Additionally, 24 patients had arterial and venous samples cultured quantitatively. An average of 9.1 colony forming units (CFU) ml-1 was isolated from arterial samples and 5.5 CFU ml-1 from venous samples (60% of arterial, P < 0·01). This suggests that arterial fungal densities exceed venous densities and that peripheral tissues clear 40% of yeasts.
The Infant With Primary Hyperoxaluria and Oxalosis: From Diagnosis to Multiorgan Transplantation

The care of an infant with primary hyperoxaluria and oxalosis is discussed. After an unheralded presentation, followed by 9 months of intensive treatment that included combined hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, the infant successfully underwent combined liver and kidney transplantation to definitively address both kidney failure and the underlying metabolic defect. Discussion of this approach, including ongoing input from the parents, addresses both the implications of undertaking the "best therapy" for this disease as well as the ethical dilemma posed by the decision whether to proceed or not to proceed with therapy.
Unicity distance of linear and non-linear pseudonoise sequence generators for direct-sequence spread spectrum systems

The unicity distance is a quantity which measures the minimum theoretical amount of ciphertext required by an eavesdropper to break a cryptographic code. This quantity depends on the number of possible keys for a given cryptosystem. Three different types of PN sequences are considered; linear maximal-length, Gold codes, and non-linear maximal length sequences. The unicity distances of systems employing each of these sequences as a function of complexity are compared. It is shown that linear maximal-length PN sequences are susceptible to known-plaintext attacks, and thus provide little security. Furthermore, the paper demonstrates that non-linear maximal length sequences have many more possible keys than Gold codes or linear m-sequences for a given register order and are less susceptible to known-plaintext attacks, thus providing a higher level of security compared to the other types of PN sequences considered. >
“If We Didn't Use Humor, We'd Cry”: Humorous Coping Communication in Health Care Settings

Folkman and Lazarus's transactional theory of emotion and coping was used to explain how humor influences job satisfaction among health care providers. One hundred forty-two nurses completed measures of humor orientation (HO), coping efficacy, job satisfaction, and open-ended questions about their use of humor to relieve job tensions. This produced 9 categories of producing humor and 8 types of work situations identified in which humor was used to cope. Nurses (21.4%) reported using humor the most often during "patient care" situations (e.g., providing medicines, moving patients, physical therapy, and so on). More than one third (38.66%) of the nurses reported using "word-play/language" as a humorous coping strategy. Higher HO was associated with higher ratings of humor effectiveness, greater self-perceived coping efficacy, and higher emotional expressivity. Path analysis demonstrated that, as the transactional theory would predict, trait HO influences job satisfaction through its effect on heightened coping efficacy. Study limitations include the use of self-report methods and the limited number of responses to the open-ended items. Subsequent research in this area should attempt to validate the categories identified in this study and determine the most effective means of coping. Researchers also should explore differences in health care providers' coping communication based on gender, years of experience, and profession.
Lola regulates Drosophila olfactory projection neuron identity and targeting specificity

Background Precise connections of neural circuits can be specified by genetic programming. In the Drosophila olfactory system, projection neurons (PNs) send dendrites to single glomeruli in the antenna lobe (AL) based upon lineage and birth order and send axons with stereotyped terminations to higher olfactory centers. These decisions are likely specified by a PN-intrinsic transcriptional code that regulates the expression of cell-surface molecules to instruct wiring specificity.
Worm Phenotype Ontology: Integrating phenotype data within and beyond the C. elegans community

Caenorhabditis elegans gene-based phenotype information dates back to the 1970's, beginning with Sydney Brenner and the characterization of behavioral and morphological mutant alleles via classical genetics in order to understand nervous system function. Since then C. elegans has become an important genetic model system for the study of basic biological and biomedical principles, largely through the use of phenotype analysis. Because of the growth of C. elegans as a genetically tractable model organism and the development of large-scale analyses, there has been a significant increase of phenotype data that needs to be managed and made accessible to the research community. To do so, a standardized vocabulary is necessary to integrate phenotype data from diverse sources, permit integration with other data types and render the data in a computable form. We describe a hierarchically structured, controlled vocabulary of terms that can be used to standardize phenotype descriptions in C. elegans, namely the Worm Phenotype Ontology (WPO). The WPO is currently comprised of 1,880 phenotype terms, 74% of which have been used in the annotation of phenotypes associated with greater than 18,000 C. elegans genes. The scope of the WPO is not exclusively limited to C. elegans biology, rather it is devised to also incorporate phenotypes observed in related nematode species. We have enriched the value of the WPO by integrating it with other ontologies, thereby increasing the accessibility of worm phenotypes to non-nematode biologists. We are actively developing the WPO to continue to fulfill the evolving needs of the scientific community and hope to engage researchers in this crucial endeavor. We provide a phenotype ontology (WPO) that will help to facilitate data retrieval, and cross-species comparisons within the nematode community. In the larger scientific community, the WPO will permit data integration, and interoperability across the different Model Organism Databases (MODs) and other biological databases. This standardized phenotype ontology will therefore allow for more complex data queries and enhance bioinformatic analyses.
Cognitive Tuning and Differentiation of Arguments in Communication

In an experiment examining the effects of cognitive tuning and attitudinal position upon individuals’ cognitive differentiation in generating arguments supporting and opposing an attitude issue, 162 undergraduate students were “tuned” either as potential sources (transmission tuning) or potential receivers (reception tuning) of a persuasive communication on one of two issues. They then prepared two lists of arguments, one positive and one negative for one of the attitude issues, after which they completed an attitude measure in both issues. As predicted, the subjects made salient and reported significantly more arguments consistent with than inconsistent with their attitudes toward the issues. More importantly, those persons prepared to function as communication sources generated significantly more arguments consistent with and fewer arguments inconsistent with their attitudes than did subjects expecting to receive persuasive communications on the issues.
Concept of maximum tolerated systemic exposure and its application to phase I-II studies of anticancer drugs.

The traditional approach to conducting Phase I studies of anticancer drugs is to select a starting dosage for humans based on preclinical data (e.g., mg equivalent of 1/10 LD10 in mice), then empirically escalate dosages in cohorts of patients until the maximum tolerated dosage (MTD) is established. More recently, NCl and EORTC investigators have advocated the use of pharmacokinetic data from preclinical studies to facilitate more rapid dose escalation (e.g., double the dose until the area under the concentration-time curve [AUC] in humans equals the AUC in mice at the LD10). The present paper describes a strategy which builds on the above approach, by extending the application of pharmacokinetic principles to systematically escalate systemic exposure (AUC) instead of dosage in Phase I trials. Human trials are initiated at whatever patient-specific dosage is required to achieve an AUC equal to 1/10 the AUC in mice at the LD10, such that three patients at the first treatment level might receive three different dosages. If no dose-limiting toxicity is observed, the next cohort of patients receives whatever dosage is required to achieve 2 x AUC of the first dosage level, with AUC escalation continuing until the maximum tolerate systemic exposure (MTSE) is reached. By escalating systemic exposure instead of dosage, one adjusts for interpatient pharmacokinetic variability. This strategy will permit more rapid and precise dosage escalations and, more importantly, it should more precisely establish the maximum level of treatment intensity for future Phase II trials.
Classification and approach to bronchiolar diseases.

Purpose of reviewBronchiolar abnormalities are relatively common and occur in a variety of clinical contexts. There have been an increasing number of terms, some of which are redundant, used in referring to various forms of bronchiolar disorders. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated c
Enhanced photon harvesting in a-Si:H solar cells with photonic crystals

We utilize photonic crystals to simulate enhanced photon harvesting in a-Si:H thin film solar cells. A one dimensional photonic crystal (distributed bragg reflector) with alternating dielectric layers acts as low loss back reflector. A two dimensional photonic crystal can diffract light at oblique angles within the absorber layer. We survey both the front and back grating with different choices of the distributed bragg reflectors. Simulations show significantly photon harvesting enhancement between the wavelength of 600 – 775 nm, below the band edge of a a-Si:H absorber layer. The short circuit current is increased by upto 30% and path length increased by several hundred times. The optical modeling is performed with a rigorous scattering matrix approach where Maxwell's equations are solved in Fourier space.
Deciphering Primary and Popular Literature: An Interactive Approach for Promoting Students' Development of Scientific, Digital, and Information Literacy in Post-Secondary Contexts.

In an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement, it is imperative that individuals possess the ability to interpret and make meaning of current scientific phenomena, including those of both national and global importance. Despite this necessity, research suggests that less than 30% of Americans are able to understand the science section of the New York Times or other popular media resources. In this paper, we present an interactive approach utilizing primary and popular literature that is designed to: a) enhance students’ understanding of science content; b) promote students’ ability to make use of evidence to support or reject claims regarding controversial science topics; and c) improve students’ oral and written communication skills. Applications for use in post-secondary classrooms are discussed.
A Public Choice Interpretation of Central City Schools and Student Performance Measures

Local public schools must satisfy the electorate to pass tax levies and re-elect school board members. Central cityschools seem to pursue these goals differently than suburban or non-metropolitan schools. While central city schools are associated with low standardized test scores, they also are associated with high graduation rates, all else constant. It therefore seems that central city school districts perform poorly independent of school and neighborhood factors, yet they consciously choose to pass students through the system. Consequently, researchers who use graduation rates or highest grade completed should account for the type of school system.
China’s Market Economy Status Under WTO Antidumping Law after 2016

Paragraph 15(d) of China’s Accession Protocol provides that the provisions of subparagraph 15(a)(ii) shall expire in 2016. Subparagraph 15(a)(ii) permits the importing Member to derogate from a strict comparison with Chinese prices or costs when determining the normal value of the products if the producers under investigation cannot clearly show that Market Economy conditions prevail in the industry in question. While a respected commentator argues that, despite the stipulated expiration, the importing Member can still treat China as a Non-Market Economy and use alternative methodologies based on the remaining provisions in the chapeau, this paper takes a different view by analyzing the role and textual structure of paragraph 15(a) in light of the negotiation documents and relevant rulings of the Appellate Body in EC-Fasteners. It demonstrates that the expiry of subparagraph 15(a)(ii) in 2016 will have the same effect as the expiry of paragraph 15(a) as a whole. Thus, there will no longer be any legal basis in China’s Accession Protocol for the importing Member to derogate from a strict comparison with Chinese prices or costs after 2016. In this sense, the expiration of subparagraph 15(a)(ii) in effect bestows Market Economy Status on China.
The Unresolved Interpretive Ambiguity of Patent Claims: A Response to Solum and Chiang

For well over a hundred years patent claims have been at the center of every patent related issue. Yet, what exactly does a patent claim claim? Exactly what type of thing is claim language intended to communicate? Despite their importance, patent law is confused about this central question. Some think of claims in the sense of “I claim to have invented the following things” while others think of them in the sense of “I claim exclusionary dominion over the following things.” These two views communicate quite different information and it impacts both substantive and procedural patent law. Generally, there is agreement about the legal effect of patent claims. With either view, patent claims determine a patent’s exclusion. But, how and why we move from claim text to exclusion differs considerably. Patent scholars, the Federal Circuit, and increasingly the Supreme Court are aiming to improve claim clarity yet all those efforts may prove fruitless unless this underlying ambiguity is first acknowledged and resolved. For example in Nautilus and Teva the Supreme Court recently announced new rules for claim indefiniteness and claim construction deference respectively but implementing those rules will differ significantly depending on which view of claims is ultimately adopted. There cannot be clear and consistent patent discourse until the fundamental nature of patent claims is resolved. For example, In The Interpretation-Construction Distinction in Patent Law, Lawrence Solum and Tun-Jen Chiang take on the issue of claim clarity. Though I think the linguistic tools they develop are useful contributions, they failed to carefully deploy them in patent law. Most importantly, they missed this unresolved, ongoing ambiguity surrounding the linguistic meaning of claims. They simply presumed that the only way to understand claims is as direct delineations of patent exclusion. As a result their ultimate conclusions are premature if not mistaken. This response aims to first highlight this ambiguity and then it aims to resolve it. Once the confusion is understood, then it is clear that, though the legal effect of claims is to delineate exclusion, the only reasonable understanding of the linguistic meaning of claims is as “I claim to have invented the following things.”
Community Control in a World of Regional Delivery Systems

The pell-mell restructuring of health care into massive regional delivery systems has disrupted long-standing relationships between local leaders and residents and their community health care systems. This diminished role of communities in our new world of health care is ironic. As control within large regions in this country becomes concentrated within the operation of three or four health plans, we become increasingly dependent upon oligopolies for our market solutions. As economic arrangements, all that oligopolies can offer are indeterminate outcomes. Some may be good for consumers, others disastrous. Without the countervailing influence of nonmarket community interests, individuals may find their satisfaction with the health care system greatly diminished.
Synthetic emotion

New research in affective computing-computing that relates to, arises from, or deliberately influences emotion-aims to give computers skills of emotional intelligence. These skills are crucial for learning and for savvy social interaction. For example, recognizing someone's emotional response is key to sensing if what you have just done or said met with approval or disapproval, interest or boredom, confusion or understanding. Computers are increasingly verbal and have formidable computational abilities, but still they cannot see if the graphics they are displaying delight or bore the viewer. The author considers how computers might get better at recognizing emotion.
Characterization and benefits of selenium uptake by an Astragalus hyperaccumulator and a non-accumulator

We characterized the relationship between soil and leaf concentrations of selenium in a hyperaccumulator and a non-accumulator to test the hypothesis that hyperaccumulators take up selenium while non-accumulators exclude it. We examined plant performance metrics and the ability of selenium to protect against herbivory by spider mites. Known hyperaccumulator and non-accumulator species within the genus Astragalus were grown under a range of selenium concentrations and measured for tissue selenium, extent of herbivory, and vigor. Both hyperaccumulators and non-accumulators either failed to meet even the lenient threshold or exceeded even the strict threshold for hyperaccumulation depending on soil concentration. Both had decreased herbivory with increasing leaf selenium, and both grew larger at higher levels of selenium regardless of herbivory, despite a negative impact of higher relative uptake. The relationships between selenium dosage and tissue concentrations matched only some model predictions. Under these conditions, the bioconcentration factor was a better delimiter between species than the absolute tissue concentration. We provide evidence that despite the apparent cost of uptake, selenium can enhance the growth of hyperaccumulators even when herbivory is not a significant factor. We propose the term “elemental stimulation” for this phenomenon.
Adoption Preparation: Differences Between Adoptive Families of Children With and Without Special Needs

A sizable proportion of special needs adoptions result in a disruption/dissolution or a displacement. Researchers emphasize the importance of comprehensive preparation to support adoption adjustmen...
Grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) Foraging on Grasshopper Feces: Observational and Rubidium-Labeling Studies

Many grasshoppers are omnivores that feed on a variety of plants as well as on animal tissue and animal excrement. We conducted behavioral observations and rubidium chloride (RbCl) labeling studies to assess whether grasshoppers also feed on grasshopper feces, thus providing the potential for horizontal disease transmission. We observed 10 species of Acrididae feeding on grasshopper fecal pellets in 3 southwestern Montana rangeland communities during the summers of 1992 and 1994. Adults of both sexes and nymphs as young as 1st instars fed on the grasshopper feces soon after we placed the feces on the soil surface. The feeders included several species that are common pests: Aulocara elliotti Thomas, Ageneotettix deorum (Scudder), and Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.). Although activity tended to decline over the 2-h sampling period, grasshoppers continued to feed on feces even when high soil surface temperatures required them to undertake behaviors that alleviate thermal stress. There was also circumstantial evidence that grasshoppers completely consumed some of the 0.1-g samples within 24 h. We observed elevated levels of rubidium in the tissues of A. elliotti and M. sanguinipes after we gave them access to feces labeled with Rb in field cages. We discuss the implications of these findings for grasshopper biological control and diet studies.
Special features of electric regulating system updating for No.3 100 MW turbine power generators of Mudanjiang No.2 Power Plant

The special features of electric regulating system updating for No.3 power generators of Mudanjiang No.2 Power Plant, the problems identified and appropriate actions taken during the updating are discussed, and this updating resulted in obvious improvement in control accuracy and peak adjusting capability of the power generators' regulating system.
Purification Methods of Peanut Allergens:A Review

Currently,11 proteins,including Ara h 1,Ara h 2,Ara h 3,Ara h 4,Ara h 5,Ara h 6,Ara h 7,Ara h 8,Ara h 9,Ara h 10 and Ara h 11,have been identified to be peanut allergens.Recent advances in the research on separation and purification methods for major(Ara h 1,Ara h 2,Ara h 3/4 and Ara h 6) and non-major(Ara h 7-11) peanut allergens,such as ammonium sulfate precipitation,column chromatography and electrophoresis,are introduced in detail in this article.Ammonium sulfate precipitation has been generally used in the rough purification step and column chromatographic methods in the refinement step including ion exchange chromatography,gel filtration chromatography,affinity chromatography,hydrophobic interaction chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography.At present,the most extensively used method for separating and purifying peanut allergens are ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography.However,electrophoresis is only used to purify Ara h 7 and peanut oleosins(Ara h 10 and Ara h 11).
A Study of the Role of Taiwan Ideological Reservoir in Cross-Strait Relations

Taiwan ideological reservoir is an integral part of the decision of the Taiwan authorities.It exerts influence on the Mainland with the help of European and American ideological reservoir.In order to consolidate the achievements made in the peaceful development of the cross-strait relations,it is necessary for us to analyze the multilateral interaction among the Taiwan,European and American ideological reservoirs so as to fully understand the whole picture of Taiwan ideological reservoir and to provide policy advice for the peaceful and development of cross-strait relations.
Glycosyltransferase genes for synthesis of Lewis antigens

Biosynthetic pathways of Lewis antigens with type 1 and type 2 chains were described on the molecular genetic basis of glycosyltransferases involved in synthesis of the antigens. The analysis of Lewis-gene (Le gene) genotyping revealed that the Le gene is responsible not only for synthesis of Lewis antigens on erythrocytes (Le(a) and Leb antigens) but also for synthesis of the Lewis antigens with type 1 chain, Le(a), Leb and sLea antigens, in digestive organs. Among an a1,3 fucosyltransferase family, FucT VI is a candidate more responsible for synthesis of sLex antigen in intestinal cancer cells than the other a1,3 fucosyltransferases. Molecular genetic analysis on Se gene is now under progress to distinguish the genotypes of Le (a+ b-) individuals from Le(a- b+) individuals in the Japanese population. Individual polymorphism of Lewis antigens is determined by point mutations of glycosyltransferase genes, as proved in ABO, Le, Se, H and FucT VI genes, involved in biosynthetic pathways of the antigens.
Scaffolding online peer collaboration to enhance ill-structured problem solving with computer-based cognitive support

The present study investigated the effects of question prompts and online peer collaborations on solving ill-structured problems. Sixty undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups: collaboration with question prompts, individual with question prompts, collaboration without question prompts, and individual without question prompts. Question prompts were designed to both facilitate problem solving procedure and promote students' metacognition. Students worked either individually or collaboratively with partners via MSN Messenger during the problem solving processes. The results reveal significant effects of procedure and metacognitive question prompts in ill-structured problem solving at both overall and univariate levels. However, there was no significant effect of online peer collaboration and no significant interaction. This study supported some previous research on using question prompts as a scaffolding strategy to support problem solving. Further, these findings support a redefined IDEAL problem solving model for solving ill-structured problems. The findings suggest many implications for instructional designers, educators in web-based learning environments, and educational researchers. These implications and the limitations of this study are discussed.
Social Security: Visions and Revisions: A Twentieth Century Fund Study

Franklin Roosevelt envisioned social security to be the cornerstone 'for the kind of protection America wants' from the financial troubles people faced due to old age and family tragedies. By fulfilling its initial promise, social security has evolved into the nation's largest, costliest, and most successful domestic institution. But the optimistic assumptions that inspired its incremental expansion have dissipated in the face of demographic, political, economic, and cultural shifts in American society. Social Security: Visions and Revisions encourages lawmakers, academic experts, and general readers alike to think more broadly and boldly about social security and its relation to public assistance and other income-maintenance and health-care programs. Pulling together information and insights previously scattered and fragmentary, this 1986 book draws lessons from the past that free us of outdated assumptions and unexamined shibboleths. The re-vision of social security that Achenbaum advocates should become the basis of all discussions of government's responsibility to promote 'the general welfare' in our ageing society.