cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ABSCESS: applied bedside sonography for convenient evaluation of superficial soft tissue infections

Objectives Soft tissue infections are a common presenting complaint in the emergency department (ED). The authors sought to determine the utility of ED bedside ultrasonography (US) in detecting subcutaneous abscesses. Methods Between August 2003 and November 2004, a prospective, convenience sample of adult patients with a chief complaint suggestive of cellulitis and/or abscess was enrolled. US was performed by attending physicians or residents who had attended a 30-minute training session in soft tissue US. The treating physician recorded a yes/no assessment of whether he or she believed an abscess was present before and after the US examination. Incision and drainage (I + D) was the criterion standard when performed, while resolution on seven-day follow-up was the criterion standard when I + D was not performed. Results Sixty-four of 107 patients had I + D-proven abscess, 17 of 107 had negative I + D, and 26 of 107 improved with antibiotic therapy alone. The sensitivity of clinical examination for abscesses was 86% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 76% to 93%), and the specificity was 70% (95% CI = 55% to 82%). The positive predictive value was 81% (95% CI = 70% to 90%), and the negative predictive value was 77% (95% CI = 62% to 88%). The sensitivity of US for abscess was 98% (95% CI = 93% to 100%), and the specificity was 88% (95% CI = 76% to 96%). The positive predictive value was 93% (95% CI = 84% to 97%), and the negative predictive value was 97% (95% CI = 88% to 100%). Of 18 cases in which US disagreed with the clinical examination, US was correct in 17 (94% of cases with disagreement, chi(2) = 14.2, p = 0.0002). Conclusions ED bedside US improves accuracy in detection of superficial abscesses.
Risk factors for mortality in spinal cord injury

It is well known that survival rates in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) are significantly lower than in the able-bodied population.1 Several studies have been performed to identify risk fact...
Designing, planning, and managing resilient cities: A conceptual framework

To what must cities be resilient? How can cities, as complex systems, be resilient? Building a capacity for resilience might be a daunting task when one considers the multitude of components, processes, and interactions that take place within and beyond a city’s physical, logical (i.e. legal), and virtual (cyberspace) boundaries. Planning for resilience to the impacts of stressors within cities requires an evaluation of the vulnerable components of cities, an understanding of the key processes, procedures, and interactions that organize these components and develop the capacity to address various structuring of components and their interactions with the ultimate goal of achieving resilience. This paper provides a deeper look at resilience in cities, proposes a conceptual resilience framework, and includes a discussion and analysis of the framework. The proposed framework is meant to serve as a more holistic approach to designing, planning, and managing for resilience by including an evaluation of cultural and process dynamics within cities as well as their physical elements.
Detection of hyperdiploid malignant cells in body cavity effusions by fluorescence in Situ hybridization on thinPrep slides

BACKGROUND Benign body cavity effusions sometimes cannot be distinguished from malignant ones by conventional cytology. The authors performed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on ThinPrep slides using chromosome specific probes to see if hyperdiploid malignant cells could be detected in 20 body cavity effusions. The results were then compared with those of conventional cytology. METHODS A total of 20 body cavity effusions from 19 patients were studied using conventional cytology and FISH. Probes specific for chromosomes 3, 8, 10, and 12 were used to detect hyperdiploidy on ThinPrep slides (Cytyc Corporation, Boxborough, MA). RESULTS A total of 13 patients had malignant conditions (either prior history of malignancy or the presence of malignancy anywhere in the body). Conventional cytology and FISH were both positive in 5 of these patients (6 samples) and negative in 2 patients. The results for one sample were inconclusive by both methods. There were 5 discrepant cytology-FISH results in patients with malignant conditions. One sample was positive by FISH and negative by cytology, one was positive by FISH and “atypical” by cytology, and three were inconclusive by FISH and negative by cytology. FISH results were either negative (in 4 samples) or inconclusive (in 2 samples) in the 6 patients with benign conditions. CONCLUSIONS FISH can detect hyperdiploid malignant cells in body cavity effusions and is especially useful when the major cell population consists of malignant cells that cannot be differentiated from mesothelial or “atypical” cells. It is less useful in detecting a small population of malignant cells hidden in an inflammatory or reactive cell background. More studies are needed to establish diagnostic criteria further and to assess the clinical usefulness of this procedure. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 1997; 81:299-308. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Precision measurement beyond the shot-noise limit

An improvement in precision beyond the limit set by the vacuum-state or zero-point fluctuations of the electromagnetic field is reported for the measurement of phase modulation in an optical interferometer. The experiment makes use of squeezed light to reduce the level of fluctuations below the shot-noise limit. An increase in the signal-to-noise ratio of 3.0 dB relative to the shot-noise limit is demonstrated, with the improvement currently limited by losses in propagation and detection and not by the degree of available squeezing.
The effect of resonance scattering and d-d correlations on the thermodynamic properties of superconducting alloys

Abstract The critical magnetic field and electronic specific heat are calculated for dilute superconducting alloys of simple metals with transition metal impurities. The impurities do not sustain a magnetic moment and therefore a model due to Anderson may be used. The results are applied to Al-iron group alloys.
Spatial patterns of plant isotope tracers in the Los Angeles urban region

Plant–environment interactions are difficult to study in urban areas, in part due to the confounding factors that affect physiology, including alterations to atmospheric composition and climate. We wished to determine whether the spatial distribution of urban plant isotope and chemical tracers could be used to distinguish among the many environmental factors that may influence plant physiological processes. We extensively sampled winter annual plants in the region in and surrounding Los Angeles, USA, and analyzed plant material for stable carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopes as well as carbon and nitrogen content; and radiocarbon composition. We then overlay maps of the spatial distribution of pollutant, climatic, geographic, and population variables to determine if there were significant relationships. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the radiocarbon content of winter annual plants was strongly related to ozone and carbon monoxide concentrations. Nitrogen isotopes and leaf nitrogen content were related to atmospheric NO2 and ozone concentrations. Oxygen isotope ratios were correlated with atmospheric vapor pressure deficit and ozone concentrations. These relationships suggest that plant processes are influenced by anthropogenic N uptake and ozone damage in this region. For stable carbon isotopes, spatial variability was correlated with temperature and the distribution of pollutants and point sources, but the functional relationships were less clear. While further studies are needed to confirm the mechanisms, these results highlight the potential for mapping of plant isotopes as a tool for studying complex plant–environment interactions in urban landscapes.
Inbreeding and the genetic variance in floral traits of Mimulus guttatus.

The additive genetic variance, VA, is frequently used as a measure of evolutionary potential in natural plant populations. Many plants inbreed to some extent; a notable observation given that random mating is essential to the model that predicts evolutionary change from VA. With inbreeding, VA is not the only relevant component of genetic variation. Several nonadditive components emerge from the combined effects of inbreeding and genetic dominance. An important empirical question is whether these components are quantitatively significant. We use maximum likelihood estimation to extract estimates for VA and the nonadditive ‘inbreeding components’ from an experimental study of the wildflower Mimulus guttatus. The inbreeding components contribute significantly to four of five floral traits, including several measures of flower size and stigma–anther separation. These results indicate that inbreeding will substantially alter the evolutionary response to natural selection on floral characters.
Changes in reindeer body part representation at Grotte XVI, Dordogne, France

Foraging theory models are used to examine changes in reindeer body part representation in the Middle and Upper Paleolithic ungulate assemblages at Grotte XVI (Dordogne, France). Previous research suggests that climate change resulted in progressive increases in reindeer abundances throughout the region. If increased forager encounter rates with reindeer resulted in decreased transport distances and search times, central-place forager models predict that field processing at the kill site will decline and reindeer body part transport will become less selective. This prediction is supported, and reindeer skeletal element abundances are shown to become increasingly even and incorporate higher frequencies of low utility elements through time. The progressive shift in reindeer transport strategies operates across technological and hominin species boundaries including the Middle-to-Upper Paleolithic transition.
An investigation of the effects of polymer binder compositional variables on the corrosion control of aluminum alloys using magnesium-rich primers

It has recently been shown that magnesium (Mg) particles possessing a thin oxide surface layer can be used to produce primers that provide corrosion protection to aluminum (Al) alloys through a galvanic coupling mechanism. In addition to the Mg particles, polymer binder properties also affect corrosion protection. As a result, the effects of compositional variables associated with a two-component epoxy binder system on the ability of Mg-rich primers to protect an aerospace Al alloy were determined. The variables investigated were epoxy resin molecular mass, curing agent functionality, epoxy/NH ratio, and Mg content. All of the variables investigated had a significant effect on coating system performance and an optimized coating composition was identified that showed very good corrosion protection for at least 3,000 h of ASTM B117 salt spray exposure.
A comparison of the cytogenetic alterations and global DNA hypomethylation induced by the benzene metabolite, hydroquinone, with those induced by melphalan and etoposide.

A comparison of the cytogenetic alterations and global DNA hypomethylation induced by the benzene metabolite, hydroquinone, with those induced by melphalan and etoposide
Study of pupil filters for depth of focus enhancement in printing contact holes

In this paper, we investigate depth of focus (DOF) improvement using radially symmetric pure phase pupil filters. Optimization of such filters starts by requiring their corresponding point spread function be flat in the axial direction. it is found that DOF for 0.18micrometers contact holes using an optimized filter is about 1micrometers , while printing them without filters is hardly feasible, using a binary mask. however, this filter introduces 2/3 intensity loss and therefore affects the processing throughput. We also apply the optimized filter to the imaging of 0.15micrometers contact holes and 0.18micrometers lines and spaces. For 0.15micrometers contact holes, it still performs better than other case, but normalized image log-slopes are low for all cases. From the simulation data of 0.18micrometers lines and spaces, pure phase filters may not be good candidates for improving their DOF. Other DOF enhancing techniques such as quadrupole illumination may be required.
Nonparametric estimation of the dependence function for a multivariate extreme value distribution

Understanding and modeling dependence structures for multivariate extreme values are of interest in a number of application areas. One of the well-known approaches is to investigate the Pickands dependence function. In the bivariate setting, there exist several estimators for estimating the Pickands dependence function which assume known marginal distributions [J. Pickands, Multivariate extreme value distributions, Bull. Internat. Statist. Inst., 49 (1981) 859-878; P. Deheuvels, On the limiting behavior of the Pickands estimator for bivariate extreme-value distributions, Statist. Probab. Lett. 12 (1991) 429-439; P. Hall, N. Tajvidi, Distribution and dependence-function estimation for bivariate extreme-value distributions, Bernoulli 6 (2000) 835-844; P. Caperaa, A.-L. Fougeres, C. Genest, A nonparametric estimation procedure for bivariate extreme value copulas, Biometrika 84 (1997) 567-577]. In this paper, we generalize the bivariate results to p-variate multivariate extreme value distributions with p>=2. We demonstrate that the proposed estimators are consistent and asymptotically normal as well as have excellent small sample behavior.
Experimental study on the contact patch pressure and sinkage of a lightweight vehicle on sand

Abstract This study focuses on improving the understanding of the mobility of lightweight wheeled vehicles on sand by testing the significance of payload, ground speed, sand gradation/grain size, and sand moisture content on contact patch pressure and tire sinkage. Extensive testing of a lightweight wheeled all-terrain vehicle (ATV) was structured in two experiments. Tire sinkage was measured at the width-wise center of the imprint of both the tread and the carcass. Pressure distribution in the contact patch was recorded using an embedded pressure pad, from which the average and peak (and difference) pressures were found. In the first experiment, measurements were taken each time the ATV was driven over combinations of four plots of groomed sand, two moisture contents, three payloads, and three speeds. Average pressure was highly affected (95+% confidence) by sand grade, vehicle speed, and payload and the interactions of sand grade–speed, and sand grade–moisture content–vehicle speed, and borderline affected (90–94.9% confidence) by the moisture content–speed interaction. In the second experiment, the ATV was driven over each plot of dry sand one hundred consecutive times at one speed–payload combination without grooming between runs, showing the cumulative effect of multiple passes over each sand pit on each measure of mobility.
Bradyarrhythmia as a presenting feature of subclinical hyperthyroidism

In subclinical hyperthyroidism, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are suppressed below normal range but serum-free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine levels are within normal range. The clinical manifestations can be highly variable and patients mostly remain undiagnosed. Sinus tachycardia, atrial premature beats and atrial fibrillation are the reported tachyarrhythmias in such patients. Bradyarrhythmias are typically not reported in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism . We present here a case of subclinical hyperthyroidism where symptomatic second degree atrio-ventricular block (Wenckebach) was the sole presenting feature. Our patient was a 71-year-old African-American female, with past medical history of hypertension who was admitted with an episode of syncope. The patient's home medication included simvastatin, lisinopril and aspirin. On examination, her pulse was irregular at a rate of …
Debriefing Simulations: Comparison of Debriefing with Video and Debriefing Alone

Abstract Background Debriefing as part of the simulation experience is regarded as essential for learning. Evidence concerning best debriefing practices from the standpoint of a student nurse participant is minimal, particularly when comparing debriefing types. This study evaluated the differences in the student experience between two debriefing types: debriefing with video and debriefing without video (debriefing alone). Method Nursing students participating in an intensive care simulation were randomized into one of the two debriefing types: debriefing with video (n = 32) and debriefing alone (n = 32) following simulation completion. After debriefing was completed, students were asked to complete a debriefing experience scale, designed to evaluate the nursing student experience during debriefing. Results Statistically significant differences were found in only 3 of 20 items on the Debriefing Experience Scale. Debriefing with video had higher means with two items, "Debriefing helped me to make connections between theory and real-life situations" (p = .007) and "I had enough time to debrief thoroughly" (p = .039). Debriefing alone had a higher mean on one item ‘‘The debriefing session facilitator was an expert in the content area'' (p = .006). Conclusion Students identified learning as part of their experience with both debriefing types. Although a few differences exist, nursing students reported overall that their experiences were minimally different between debriefing with video and debriefing alone.
Radial Drift Chambers Fop CDF Forward Tracking

Radial wire drift chambers are built for the Collider Detector of Fermilab to cover forward and backward regions between 2° and 10° cones which will provide good azimuthal position information of tracks, good multi-track, and high rate capability. Results obtained from a prototype chamber show ? resolution of ?rms ? 130 ?m and a charge division accuracy of 0.7 percent along the wire (?,r) running in the saturated avalanche mode.
Bottom‐up control of water hyacinth weevil populations: do the plants regulate the insects?

Summary 1. Nutrient availability varies widely in aquatic systems and is likely to profoundly affect the outcomes of plant–herbivore interactions in aquatic environments. This has implications in programmes aimed at the biological control of water weeds. We hypothesized that nutrient flux seasonally affects ovarian development of two specialist weevil species, Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi, thereby influencing population growth on the floating plant Eichhornia crassipes. 2. We also hypothesized that the weevils differed in their sensitivities to nutritional quality and interacted differently depending on host quality. 3. To test these hypotheses, we cultured E. crassipes plants under 20 fertilizer regimens then introduced reproductively dormant, over-wintering female weevils as single or mixed species populations. They were later retrieved and dissected to ascertain ovarian status. F1 progeny was extracted biweekly to compare fecundity with population growth. 4. Ovaries regained functionality and the reproductive proportion of the population increased with fertilizer rate as did the fecundity of reproductive individuals. F1 progeny increased exponentially from 7 to over 300 weevils tank−1 in the highest fertilizer treatment. 5. Mixed species treatments produced more offspring under high fertilizer rates than single species treatments (236 ± 32 mixed vs. 155 ± 25 N. bruchi or 170 ± 33 N. eichhorniae pure). Neochetina eichhorniae was more productive throughout than N. bruchi, but N. bruchi performed nearly as well in high fertilizer treatments. 6. Ratios of the two species remained consistent whether in single or mixed species populations suggesting a lack of interspecific interference. However, N. eichhorniae seemed more adaptable to a wider range of plant quality and more tolerant of lower nutritional circumstances. 7. Synthesis and applications. The coupling of reproductive status of the parental generation with the population response of the F1 generation indicates that plant quality drives population growth of both weevil species, demonstrating bottom-up regulation. This largely explains the variable performance of these weevils as biological control agents. These results emphasize the importance of considering bottom-up regulation in evaluating host range trials, predicting efficacy and in post-release evaluations. In addition, they suggest that partial herbicide treatments to accomplish phased removal of infestations could enhance the quality of the remaining plants, thereby better integrating biological control into current E. crassipes management systems.
Adaptable-geometry, low-mass hodoscopes using cathode read-out proportional chambers

Abstract The use of cathode read-out proportional chambers as large-area, low-mass hodoscopes has been investigated. Measurements of time resolution, space resolution, cathode multiplicity, and chamber-capacitance effects are presented here. Comments about future application are included.
The fractal structure of equine articular cartilage.

Summary The naturally occurring structure of articular cartilage has proven to be an effective means for the facilitation of motion and load support in equine and other animal joints. Cartilage has been found to be a complex and dynamic medium, which has led to an incomplete understanding of the nature and operating mechanisms acting within a joint. Although cartilage has biphasic and triphasic properties, it is believed that the performance of equine articular joints is influenced by the surface roughness of the joint cartilage (Ateshian et al., '98; Chan et al., 2011; Yao and Unsworth, '93). Various joint types with different motions and regimes of lubrication have altered demands on the articular surface that may affect cartilage surface properties. In research performed on freshly harvested samples, equine articular cartilage has been shown to possess a multiscale structure and a fractal dimension. It is thought that by determining the fractal dimension (D) of articular cartilage, a better understanding of the friction, wear, and lubrication mechanisms for biomechanic surfaces can eventually be reached. This study looks at the fractal dimensions of three different articular cartilage surfaces in the equine carpus: the radiocarpal, midcarpal, and carpometacarpal surfaces. The three surfaces provide an ideal comparison of fractal dimensions for a different range of motion, geometry, and loading. In each sample, identical treatment was performed during measurement by a stylus profilometer. SCANNING 34: 418–426, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adsorption and cracking of n-alkanes over ZSM-5: Negative activation energy of reaction

Abstract The heat of adsorption of normal-paraffins on ZSM-5 is a linear function of the number of carbon atoms on the paraffin n, and is approximately half of the latent heat of consation. The rate of cracking of n-paraffins over ZSM-5 increases exponentially with n, which is consistent with a linear dependence of Δ G° with n. As temperature is increased, the cracking rate increases when n is less than 16, but decreases when n is greater than 16. This phenomenon is contrary to normal expectations, and is a consequence of the competition between two effects: the increase of intrinsic kinetics with temperature, and the decrease of adsorption strength and the concentration of active intermediates with temperature. The heat of adsorption becomes larger than the activation energy of the intrinsic kinetics when n=16.
Growth of Novel Epistatic Interactions by Gene Duplication

Epistasis has long been recognized as fundamentally important in understanding the structure, function, and evolutionary dynamics of biological systems. Gene duplication is a major mechanism of evolution for genetic novelties. Here, we demonstrate that genes evolved significantly more epistatic interactions after duplication. The connectivity of duplicate gene pairs in epistatic networks is positively correlated with the extent of their sequence divergence. Furthermore, duplicate gene pairs tend to epistatically interact with genes that occupy more functional spaces than do single-copy genes. These results show that gene duplication plays an important role in the evolution of epistasis.
Central and peripheral myelin in the rat cochlear and vestibular nerves

Abstract In the bipolar neurons of vertebrate cochlear and vestibular nerves, the myelin envelops without interruption the axon, the perikaryon and the dendrite. The perikaryal myelin is thin and partially loose, whereas axon and dendrite are enveloped by compacted myelin. The expression of protein 0 and myelin basic protein, constituents of peripheral and central myelin respectively, has been investigated in the rat by an immunohistochemical study at the light microscopic level. Our data indicate that both in the cochlear and vestibular nerves the myelin of the perikaryon and dendrite is composed by specific peripheral myelin proteins. The axon segment between the perikaryon and the transitional zone expresses peripheral myelin proteins in the cochlear nerve, while both types of myelin proteins are present in the vestibular nerve. Between the transitional zone and the brainstem the myelin of the axon is exclusively of the central type. The peripheral-central myelin transitional zone is in close proximity to the axonal pole in the vestibular ganglion cells, while in the cochlear nerve it is near the spiral foramina, at variable distance from the axonal pole of ganglion cells.
Effect of running versus cycle training on cycle ergometer, treadmill, and running performance

The purpose of this study was to determine the physical and physiologic changes induced by 9 weeks of equivalent amounts of high‐intensity running (n = 8) and cycle ergometer training (n = 8) on treadmill maximal oxygen uptake (YO2max), cycle ergometer peak VO2, a 1609 m (1.0 mile) running time, and a submaximal treadmill running VO2, heart rate, and accumulated lactate concentration in normal young men ages 25.1 ± 1.2 years (mean ± SE). Subjects began by training 4 days per week at 75 to 80% maximum heart rate (MHR) and during weeks 3 to 9 they exercised at 80 to 85% MHR. Interval training at 90 to 95% MHR was also added 2 days per week (total of 40 to 45 minutes). Both groups significantly (p ≤ s 0.01) improved treadmill VO2rnax and cycle ergometer peak VO2. There was no difference in the amount of improvement between the groups on each test. For the cycle‐trained group, mean percent increases in peak VO2max improvement on the treadmill and cycle ergometer were similar, whereas the running group mean pe...
Factors Affecting the Acceptability of Low-Nitrite Smoked, Cured Ham

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the consumer acceptance of samples of cooked, smoked ham which varied in sodium nitrite concentration and to evaluate the importance of two factors hypothesized to affect their acceptability. The first experiment assessed the importance of color to the overall acceptability of smoked ham. Results indicated that satisfactory color in this product can significantly increase its acceptability, even when other attributes (e.g. flavor) of the product are inferior. The second experiment assessed the effect of a warning of the possible dangers of sodium nitrite on the acceptability of the products. Results showed that the warning had no effect on the consumers' acceptance of the product.
EFFECTS OF FERTILIZATION ON EPICUTICULAR WAX MORPHOLOGY OF NEEDLE LEAVES OF DOUGLAS FIR, PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII (PINACEAE)

Fertilized stands of Pseudotsuga menziesii were found to have glaucous needles. We investigated the morphological and quantitative characteristics of the epicuticular waxes of needles of fertilized and control trees. Glaucousness was caused by ornate tubular epicuticular wax. Dipping needles in chloroform, which dissolves waxes, eliminated the glaucous appearance. Based on cryostage scanning electron microscopic observations, the epicuticular waxes in the nonstomatal region were much more ornate on the needles of the fertilized trees (experimental needles) than in unfertilized trees (control needles). The stomatal region in both experimental and control needles showed similarly ornate waxes. Quantities of waxes were similar in experimental and control needles. The glaucousness was not the result of greater quantities of wax; rather, fertilization altered wax morphology in the nonstomatal regions. The correlation of leaf glaucousness with the morphology of epicuticular wax has been documented in many
Differential Use of Functional Domains by Coiled-coil Coactivator in Its Synergistic Coactivator Function with β-Catenin or GRIP1

β-Catenin, a pivotal component of the Wnt-signaling pathway, binds to and serves as a transcriptional coactivator for the T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family of transcriptional activator proteins and for the androgen receptor (AR), a nuclear receptor. Three components of the p160 nuclear receptor coactivator complex, including CARM1, p300/CBP, and GRIP1 (one of the p160 coactivators), bind to and cooperate with β-catenin to enhance transcriptional activation by TCF/LEF and AR. Here we report that another component of the p160 nuclear receptor coactivator complex, the coiled-coil coactivator (CoCoA), directly binds to and cooperates synergistically with β-catenin as a coactivator for AR and TCF/LEF. CoCoA uses different domains to bind GRIP1 and β-catenin, and it uses different domains to transmit the activating signal to the transcription machinery, depending on whether it is bound to GRIP1 or β-catenin. CoCoA associated specifically with the promoters of transiently transfected and endogenous target genes of TCF/LEF, and reduction of the endogenous CoCoA level decreased the ability of TCF/LEF and β-catenin to activate transcription of transient and endogenous target genes. Thus, CoCoA uses different combinations of functional domains to serve as a physiologically relevant component of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the androgen signaling pathway.
Radio's influence in the Alaska Bush: Cultural transmission or diffusion?

Isolated radio stations serve predominately Native American populations in the Alaska Bush. This study sought to ascertain radio's influence on local cultures and its ability to serve local needs. Issues relating to control and staffing of stations were also examined. Clearly there is a growing push for Bush radio to help preserve Alaska's native cultures and languages. Stations differed in their approaches to some common problems, but all appeared to be moving in the direction of increasing native involvement in station operations.
Effect of age on acute pain perception of a standardized stimulus in the emergency department.

Abstract Study Objective: The study was undertaken to determine whether pain perception is different in elderly patients than in younger patients. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at 2 urban academic emergency departments. Adult patients (≥18 years of age) who required an 18-gauge intravenous catheter as part of their ED care were eligible. Patients were excluded for the following conditions: more than one attempt at intravenous catheter placement, altered mental status, visual impairment, intoxication, distracting pain, or abnormal upper extremities. Patients were asked to indicate on a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) the amount of pain they had at baseline immediately before intravenous catheter placement. They were then asked to indicate on a separate VAS the amount of pain caused by intravenous catheter placement. Patients aged 65 years and older were defined a priori as elderly. Results: Of 100 patients enrolled in the study, 32 (32%) were elderly. Elderly patients reported significantly less pain than nonelderly patients (Δ=–15 mm, 95% confidence interval –26 to –4 mm). Pain of intravenous catheter placement was not associated with sex, baseline pain, site of intravenous catheter insertion, or level of training of the individual placing the intravenous catheter. Conclusion: Elderly patients experienced less acute pain than their younger counterparts in response to a standardized stimulus in a clinical setting. This difference is both statistically and clinically significant. This may have clinical implications for the assessment and treatment of acute pain in the elderly. [Li SF, Greenwald PW, Gennis P, Bijur PE, Gallagher EJ. Effect of age on acute pain perception of a standardized stimulus in the emergency department. Ann Emerg Med. December 2001;38:644-647.]
Thermodynamic properties and rheology of sterically stabilized colloidal dispersions

A procedure for predicting thermodynamic, dynamic, and rheological properties of polymerically stabilized colloidal dispersions in good solvents by mapping onto an effective hard sphere dispersion is investigated and evaluated for its range of applicability. Configurational pressures and energies, calculted by Monte Carlo simulations, are used to assess the model's accuracy for predicting thermodynamic data. Similarly, long-time self-diffusivities, calculated by equilibrium Brownian Dynamic simulations, are used to assess the model's feasibility for predicting dynamic properties. Finally, zero shear viscosities are calculated by the method of hydrodynamic preaveraging and compared to rheological measurements. The various testing methods demonstrate the effectiveness of the procedure and suggest the model's range of applicability.
Exploring Burnout in Batterer Intervention Programs

This study used the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to explore burnout in a sample of 115 batterer intervention program (BIP) workers (56% female, 44% male) from four midwestern states. The purpose of this study was to explore the role that demographic variables, job-setting variables, supervisor support, and personality characteristics played in predicting burnout for BIP workers. Significant associations emerged for all aspects of burnout. Job-setting variables and personality characteristics were predictive of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, whereas job-setting variables were predictive of personal accomplishment. The findings suggest that job and person variables are important factors to consider for burnout prevention and coping strategies for BIP workers. In addition, the results show that compared to MBI subscale norms for mental health workers, BIP workers fell in the moderate range for emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, but in the high range for personal accomplishment.
Naive control of the double integrator

We deal with a form of controller evaluation that may be called naive control. In naive control, a control algorithm derived under nominal (or ideal) conditions is evaluated by analytical or numerical means under off-nominal (or nonideal) conditions that were not assumed in the formal synthesis procedure. Under such nonideal conditions, the controller may or may not perform well. This approach is distinct from robust control, which seeks to accommodate off-nominal perturbations in the synthesis procedure. We consider the double integrator plant, which is one of the most fundamental systems in control applications, representing single degree-of-freedom translational and rotational motion. Applications of the double integrator include low-friction, free rigid-body motion, such as single-axis spacecraft rotation and rotary crane motion. The double integrator plant considered includes a saturation nonlinearity on the control input.
Phase II trial of lenalidomide in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Lenalidomide (CC-5013) is a structural derivative of thalidomide, with antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory effects. Fourteen patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were enrolled on a phase 2 trial of lenalidomide administered orally at 25 mg daily for 21 days followed by a rest period of 7 days. The best response was stable disease in eight patients (57%) of the 14 evaluable patients. Toxicities included fatigue, hyperglycemia, dyspnea, and myelosuppression with decreased hemoglobin, lymphopenia, and neutropenia. Lenalidomide is tolerable, but no objective responses were observed in this clinical trial.
Cell type specific and glucose responsive expression of interleukin-4 by using insulin promoter and water soluble lipopolymer

For gene therapy, tissue targeting of gene delivery systems is required for the maximum efficiency. In this study, we constructed pRIP-IL4 in which the expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) was driven by the rat insulin promoter. WSLP-pRIP-IL4 complex was characterized by pancreas beta-cell specific and glucose responsive expression of IL-4. pRIP-IL4 was completely retarded at a 6:1 or higher N/P (nitrogen atom of WSLP/phosphate of plasmid) ratio in 1% agarose gel. In addition, WSLP protected plasmid DNA from DNase I for more than 1 h. In cytotoxicity assay, WSLP showed less cytotoxicity than PEI (25000 Da) to mouse insulinoma (MIN6) cells. ELISA showed that pRIP-IL4 expressed much higher levels of IL-4 in MIN6 cells than in NIH3T3 cells. The expression level of IL-4 by pRIP-IL4 increased with increasing concentration of glucose. Also, IL-4 was expressed in a dose-dependent manner. This WSLP-pRIP-IL4 system will be useful in the development of a pancreas specific expression system for the prevention of diabetes without systemic side effects.
A type-based escape analysis for functional languages

An important issue faced by implementors of higher-order functional programming languages is the allocation and deallocation of storage for variables. The possibility of variables escaping their scope during runtime makes traditional stack allocation inadequate. We consider the problem of detecting when variables in such languages do not escape their scope, and thus can have their bindings allocated in an efficient manner. We use an annotated type system to infer information about the use of variables in a higher-order, strict functional language and combine this system with a translation to an annotated language which explicitly indicates which variables do not escape. The type system uses a notion of annotated types which extends the traditional simple type system with information about the extent of variables. To illustrate the use of this information we define an operational semantics for the annotated language which supports both stack and environment allocation of variable bindings. Only the stack allocated bindings need follow the protocol for stacks: their extent may not exceed their scope. Environment allocated bindings can have any extent, and their allocation has no impact on the stack allocated ones. We prove the analysis and translation correct with respect to this operational semantics by adapting a traditional type consistency proof to our setting. We have encoded the proof into the Elf programming language and typechecked it, providing a partially machine-checked proof.
TH-E-218-10: Feasibility Demonstration and Initial Construction of an Integrated Carbon Nanotube Micro-CT System for Compact Microbeam Radiation Therapy Image Guidance

Purpose: Synchrotron generated Microbeam Radiation Therapy(MRT) has been shown to cause significant damage to radioresistant braintumors while sparing surrounding normal tissues in rats. The potential translation of this experimental type of therapy to clinical use is hindered by the fact that the mechanism behind MRT is still not fully understood and by the lack of widely available MRT devices. We have developed a prototype compact MRT system based on carbon nanotube(CNT) field emission x‐ray technology in the hopes of enabling more cancer biologists to explore the radiobiology behind MRT. Our purpose in this study is to begin the integration of a micro‐CT scanner with the MRT system for image guided MRT delivery. Methods: We tested the feasibility of using the micro‐CT scanner in conjunction with the MRT system by designing a specialized phantom to be scanned, targeted, and irradiated by two pre‐existing independent systems. After scanning, the phantom was visualized by our treatment planning software ‘Micro‐PLUNC’, where the desired beam pattern was inserted into the reconstructed images of the phantom. Afterwards, positioning parameters were calculated to allow for the beams to be delivered at the planned locations within the phantom. Finally, the phantom was irradiated with internal Gafchromic films to verify the delivered dose pattern. Results: A pre‐determined microbeam pattern was successfully delivered to within +/− 150 um accuracy. Films placed on the phantom holder and within the phantom itself confirmed the desired dose pattern. Based on this study, construction of the Micro‐CT guided MRT dual system was begun. Conclusions: The feasibility of using our existing Micro‐CT technology as image guidance for MRT was displayed. When integration is fully completed, the new system will allow for precise dose delivery in small animals and will prevent wasting dose in areas outside the treatment volume. Funding sources include: NCI C‐CCNE, NCI GO grant
Thermal conductance of alumina-nickel interfaces at elevated temperatures☆

Abstract The thermal conductance in vacua between an alumina surface at 1100C and a nickel surface at 55–90°C was determined experimentally over a range of contact pressures. The added resistance due to a mono-layer of zirconia microspheres between these surfaces was also measured. The results show the predicted dependency of conductance upon contact pressure, but the absolute magnitudes were from 1 2 to 1 7 of the theoretical magnitudes.
An appraisal of China's progress toward the Millennium Development Goals as they relate to children.

Since their inception in 2000, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have improved understanding of the global development process. Although the goals will not be significantly achieved on a global scale, each country has had accomplishments deserving of attention and analysis. With regard to the MDGs as they relate to children, China has made significant achievements, the deeper understanding of which might help in the process of refreshing the MDGs beyond 2015. China’s accomplishments in economic development and human welfare, and the benefits this has brought to its children potentially teach lessons that can be modelled by other countries moving from low- to middle-income status.
Role of Cocrystal and Solution Chemistry on the Formation and Stability of Cocrystals with Different Stoichiometry

The objective of this study is to identify factors and conditions governing the formation and stability of cocrystals with different stoichiometry. Carbamazepine−4-aminobenzoic acid (CBZ−4ABA) cocrystals were chosen as the model system. A 1:1 CBZ−4ABA cocrystal was discovered by the reaction crystallization method. This cocrystal is characterized by carboxylic acid···acid and amide···amide homosynthons. The stability of 2:1 and 1:1 cocrystals is shown to be dependent on ligand solution concentration. The cocrystal richer in ligand component is more stable at higher ligand solution concentrations. Solubility of cocrystals and crystalline drug is explained by 1:1 solution complexation, and both cocrystals follow solubility product behavior. Mathematical models based on cocrystal and solution chemistry were fit to experimental data to generate phase solubility and triangular phase diagrams.
Precision lifetime measurements of a single trapped ion with ultrafast laser pulses

We report precision measurements of the excited state lifetime of the $5p$ $^{2}P_{1∕2}$ and $5p$ $^{2}P_{3∕2}$ levels of a single trapped ${\mathrm{Cd}}^{+}$ ion. Combining ion trap and ultrafast laser technologies, the ion is excited with picosecond laser pulses from a mode-locked laser and the distribution of arrival times of spontaneously emitted photons is recorded. The resulting lifetimes are $3.148\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.011\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ and $2.647\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ for $^{2}P_{1∕2}$ and $^{2}P_{3∕2}$ respectively. With a total uncertainty of under 0.4%, these are among the most precise measurements of any atomic state lifetimes to date.
Framing robot arms control

The development of autonomous, robotic weaponry is progressing rapidly. Many observers agree that banning the initiation of lethal activity by autonomous weapons is a worthy goal. Some disagree with this goal, on the grounds that robots may equal and exceed the ethical conduct of human soldiers on the battlefield. Those who seek arms-control agreements limiting the use of military robots face practical difficulties. One such difficulty concerns defining the notion of an autonomous action by a robot. Another challenge concerns how to verify and monitor the capabilities of rapidly changing technologies. In this article we describe concepts from our previous work about autonomy and ethics for robots and apply them to military robots and robot arms control. We conclude with a proposal for a first step toward limiting the deployment of autonomous weapons capable of initiating lethal force.
Multipayload interferometric wave vector determination of auroral hiss

[1] We extend traditional, single payload, interferometric techniques to a multiple payload sounding rocket mission, and apply these techniques to measure the parallel and perpendicular wavelength of auroral VLF hiss from 8 kHz–20 kHz. We model the wavelength distribution of auroral hiss as a cone at a fixed angle with respect to the magnetic field that is isotropically distributed in the perpendicular plane. We apply this model to calculate the interferometric observables, coherency and phase, for a sounding rocket mission whose wave electric field receivers are on payloads that are separated 2–3 km along the magnetic field and 55–200 m across the magnetic field. Using an interferometer formed by comparing the collinear sphere-to-skin electric field antennas on a single payload, we estimate a lower limit on the perpendicular wavelength of VLF hiss of ∼60 m. Analysis of coherency and phase due to this conical wave vector distribution for a multipayload interferometer reveals the existence of a spin dependent coherency pattern. From this coherency pattern we generate an upper limit perpendicular wavelength estimate for VLF hiss of ∼350 m. The inter-payload phase gives an accurate estimate of the parallel wavelength of ∼6000–8000 m. This parallel wavelength is combined with the lower (upper) limit perpendicular wavelength estimates to generate upper (lower) limits on wave-normal angle. These limits are each within one degree of the predicted electrostatic whistler wave resonance cone angle verifying that VLF hiss propagates on this resonance cone.
Who Multi-Tasks and Why? Multi-Tasking Ability, Perceived Multi-Tasking Ability, Impulsivity, and Sensation Seeking

The present study examined the relationship between personality and individual differences in multi-tasking ability. Participants enrolled at the University of Utah completed measures of multi-tasking activity, perceived multi-tasking ability, impulsivity, and sensation seeking. In addition, they performed the Operation Span in order to assess their executive control and actual multi-tasking ability. The findings indicate that the persons who are most capable of multi-tasking effectively are not the persons who are most likely to engage in multiple tasks simultaneously. To the contrary, multi-tasking activity as measured by the Media Multitasking Inventory and self-reported cell phone usage while driving were negatively correlated with actual multi-tasking ability. Multi-tasking was positively correlated with participants’ perceived ability to multi-task ability which was found to be significantly inflated. Participants with a strong approach orientation and a weak avoidance orientation – high levels of impulsivity and sensation seeking – reported greater multi-tasking behavior. Finally, the findings suggest that people often engage in multi-tasking because they are less able to block out distractions and focus on a singular task. Participants with less executive control - low scorers on the Operation Span task and persons high in impulsivity - tended to report higher levels of multi-tasking activity.