cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term follow-up of patients with incidentally discovered pancreatic cystic neoplasms evaluated by endoscopic ultrasound

Background The management of incidental pancreatic cysts is not well established because of lack of information on their natural history. International Consensus Guidelines advocate observation of asymptomatic patients with small lesions, despite limited data to support this approach. Methods To characterize clinical outcomes in a cohort of asymptomatic patients with incidental pancreatic cysts who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) evaluation ± fine needle aspiration (FNA). Results Overall, 317 patients underwent EUS for evaluation of pancreatic cysts from 1995 to 2005. A total of 97/317 (31%) had asymptomatic, incidentally discovered pancreatic cysts; of 97 asymptomatic patients, 93 were contacted. Of these patients, 71/93 (76%) had lesions 3 cm and/or concerning EUS features underwent resection. Pathologic analysis revealed that 2/22 patients had adenocarcinoma and that 60% had premalignant lesions. Conclusion Endoscopic ultrasound is helpful in evaluation of patients with small incidental pancreatic cystic lesions. Asymptomatic cysts with benign radiographic and/or endosonographic features may safely be followed clinically and with serial imaging.
Spatial determinants of the distribution of attention

A simple reaction time technique was used to investigate the distribution of attention at different eccentricities. Subjects were asked to shift their attention to a cued spatial location and respond to a subsequently presented target light. Although the target was often flashed at the cued location, targets were sometimes presented at other eccentricities. By examining the reaction time to the target as a function of the distance of the target from the cue and the eccentricity of the cue, the distribution of attention at different eccentricities could be determined. Reaction time generally increased with distance, and a smaller effect of the attention manipulation was found with peripheral cues.
IT Auditing: Using Controls to Protect Information Assets (1st ed.), by Chris Davis, Mike Schiller, and Kevin Wheeler

© Adolfo S. CoronadoIT Auditing: Using Controls to Protect Information Assets is aimed to be a primer for individuals who are looking to dive into the area of information technology (IT) auditing. ...
Parametric study analyzing the impact of space-based sensors on Navy theater ballistic missile defense performance for theaterwide systems

This paper presents the results of a study designed to determine robustness of the performance improvements attributable to the use of space-based sensors for cueing a Navy Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (TBMD) Systems. The key system parameters of interest in the study are (1) the time delay, defined as the time interval between the threat missile burnout and the time at which the cue (threat missile state vector at burnout and covariance matrix) arrives at the TBMD shooter, and (2) the accuracy of the state vector. Performance characteristics of the space-based sensors and TBMD shooter subsystems were investigated parametrically. This study, with the exception of an excursion to consider targeting of the interceptor directly from the state vector and covariance matrix supplied by the space-based sensor, assumes that a cued weapon system will search for the threat missile, locate and track it, and provide the trajectory for the fire control solution. One of the metrics used to evaluate the effect of these critical parameters is the size of the defended area footprint. Conclusions drawn from this study support the proposition that the utilization of space-based sensors to cue a Navy Theater- Wide TBMD system can significantly increase the performance of the system.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Students' Communicative Attributes and Their Out-of-Class Communication With Instructors

This study explored the relationship between students' communicative attributes (i.e., argumentativeness, assertiveness, Machiavellianism, and verbal aggressiveness) and their out-of-class communication with instructors. Undergraduate students (N = 245) completed a series of self-report measures. The results of correlational analyses indicated that students' self-reported argumentativeness and assertiveness were associated positively with their tendencies to engage in out-of-class communication with their instructors whereas students' self-reported Machiavellianism and verbal aggressiveness were not associated significantly with their tendencies to engage in out-of-class communication with their instructors. Implications and limitations are considered.
Ethics, character, and authentic transformational leadership behavior

Abstract The morality of transformational leadership has been sharply questioned, particularly by libertarians, “grass roots” theorists, and organizational development consultants. This paper argues that to be truly transformational, leadership must be grounded in moral foundations. The four components of authentic transformational leadership (idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration) are contrasted with their counterfeits in dissembling pseudo -transformational leadership on the basis of (1) the moral character of the leaders and their concerns for self and others; (2) the ethical values embedded in the leaders' vision, articulation, and program, which followers can embrace or reject; and (3) the morality of the processes of social ethical choices and action in which the leaders and followers engage and collectively pursue. The literature on transformational leadership is linked to the long-standing literature on virtue and moral character, as exemplified by Socratic and Confucian typologies. It is related as well to the major themes of the modern Western ethical agenda: liberty, utility, and distributive justice Deception, sophistry, and pretense are examined alongside issues of transcendence, agency, trust, striving for congruence in values, cooperative action, power, persuasion, and corporate governance to establish the strategic and moral foundations of authentic transformational leadership.
Composition of gum turpentines of pines. XXII. A report on Pinus rudis and P. hartwegii from Mexico and P. insularis from Philippines.

P. rudis grows over a large territory in Mexico. On the basis of the composition of its turpentine which differs from that of P. montezumae, Pinus rudis should be considered a separate species. Pinus hartwegik another Mexican pine, grows at elevations ranging from 8,400 to 11,500 feet. Its chemical composition differs so from that of P. montezumae that these investigators are inclined to consider it also as an independent species. Oleoresin of Pinus insularis was used experimentally to determine the turpentine content which was found to be higher than previously reported from the Philippines and Burma where Pinus insularis has long been exploited for turpentine and resin. The discovery of l-β-phellandrene was unexpected as it has never been reported in Asiatic pines.
Action, mindreading and embodied social cognition

One of the central insights of the embodied cognition (EC) movement is that cognition is closely tied to action. In this paper, I formulate an EC-inspired hypothesis concerning social cognition. In this domain, most think that our capacity to understand and interact with one another is best explained by appeal to some form of mindreading. I argue that prominent accounts of mindreading likely contain a significant lacuna. Evidence indicates that what I call an agent’s actional processes and states—her goals, needs, intentions, desires, and so on—likely play important roles in and for mindreading processes. If so, a full understanding of mindreading processes and their role in cognition more broadly will require an understanding of how actional mental processes interact with, influence, or take part in mindreading processes.
Global-market building as state building: China's entry into the WTO and market reforms of China's tobacco industry

This article analyzes how China’s increasing engagement in the global market induced significant institution-building in China’s tobacco industry and enabled a power shift from the local authorities to the central authority in controlling this market. During this process of “getting onto the international track,” the central government reorganized the industrial tobacco system and broke up the “monopolies” set up by local governments in order to enhance the competitive capacities of China’s tobacco industry in the global market. Given such a concrete institutional change in China’s tobacco industry, I propose the theory of “global-market building as state building” to explain the interactions among the global market, the nation-states, and the domestic market-building projects. I suggest that nation-states strategically seek to engage themselves in the global market and that, under certain circumstances by taking advantage of their global market engagement, the nation-states can enhance their abilities to govern the domestic market.
Endogenous type C virus from a cat cell clone with properties distinct from previously described feline type C virus.

Abstract A type C virus has been isolated from a continuous line of feline kidney fibroblasts (CCC). The virus particle contains a reverse transcriptase and group-specific protein which cross react immunologically with the analogous proteins of RD-114 but not with the previously described feline leukemia-sarcoma viruses. A cloned line of non-virus-producing CCC cells isolated prior to the “spontaneous” activation of the CCC virus contains a type C virus which is produced after iododeoxy-uridine treatment. The reverse transcriptase and gs protein of the induced virus also share antigenic properties with the same proteins of RD-114 but not the feline leukemia-sarcoma viruses. Induction from a virus-free, single cell clone establishes that CCC virus is an endogenous feline type C virus. Virus-negative CCC cells and feline embryo cells are resistant to exogenous infection by either the induced or the spontaneously appearing CCC virus; however, human and other primate cells readily support their replication. Thus, certain primate, but not feline cells, appear to be permissive hosts for growth of an endogenous type C virus of the cat.
Auroral zone electron flux and its relation to broadbeam radiowave absorption

Abstract The Injun III passes over the auroral zone stations of College (L=5.5) and Fort Yukon (L=6.3), Alaska, during January 1963–October 1963, are utilized for a comparison of fluxes of precipitating and ‘trapped’ electrons with the instantaneous values of broad beam radio absorption at 27.6 Mc/s. The flux of precipitating electrons of energy E>40 keV revealed clear control on the absorption magnitude. For a given precipitating flux of electrons of energy E>40 keV, with pitch angles 0–43° over the zone, the magnitude of absorption increased with the increasing availability of the flux with pitch angles >43°. The trapped flux over the zone was, typically, ten to a hundred fold stronger than the precipitating flux, with only the instances of severe precipitation tending to be isotropic. The ‘trapped’ flux as such (E>40 keV) was poorly related to the magnitude of absorption; while the trapped flux, E>250 keV, E>1.5 MeV were found unrelated to the magnitude of absorption. The empirical relationship between the precipitating flux (cm−2sec−1ster−1) of E>40 keV and the magnitude of broadbeam absorption at 30 Mc/s could be expressed as A( db )=3.3×10 −3 N>40 keV during the instances when the precipitation was more or less isotropic from the upper hemisphere. The empirical dependence of absorption is found to be approximately consistent with the calculated dependence of absorption, by estimating the electron density profile due to a primary electron spectrum of the form N(E)=KE−4.5(cm−2sec−1ster−1keV−1).
TESTS AND ANALYSIS OF THE LOCALIZED RESPONSE OF SLURRY INFILTRATED FIBER CONCRETE (SIFCON) AND CONVENTIONAL REINFORCED CONCRETE (CRC) SUBJECTED TO BLAST AND FRAGMENT LOADING

Analysis and tests of locally and dynamically loaded CRC and SIFCON structuram panels were tested under simultaneous blast and fragment loading environments. The response of the panels indicate the inherent difference in shock resistance of the construction materials. The absence of ductility in the SIFCON response raises questions as to its applicability in severe loading environments.
Ubiquitous audio: capturing spontaneous collaboration

Although talkhtg is an integral part of collaborative activity, there has been little computer support for acquiring and accessing the contents of conversations. Our approach has focused on ubiquitous audio, or the unobtrusive capture of voice interactions in everyday work environments. Because the words themselves are not available for organizing the captured interactions, structure is derived from acoustical information inherent in the stored voice and augmented by user interaction during or after capture. This paper describes applications for capturing and structuring audio from office discussions and telephone calls, and mechanisms for later retrieval of these stored interactions.
Communication between B-Cells and Microbiota for the Maintenance of Intestinal Homeostasis

The human intestine is populated with an extremely dense and diverse bacterial community. Commensal bacteria act as an important antigenic stimulus producing the maturation of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). The production of immunoglobulin (Ig) A by B-cells in the GALT is one of the immune responses following intestinal colonization of bacteria. The switch of B-cells from IgM to IgA-producing cells in the Peyer’s patches and neighboring lamina propria proceeds by T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent mechanisms. Several grams of secretory IgA (SIgA) are released into the intestine each day. SIgA serves as a first-line of defense in protecting the intestinal epithelium from enteric toxins and pathogenic microorganisms. SIgA has a capacity to directly quench bacterial virulence factors, influence the composition of the intestinal microbiota, and promote the transportation of antigens across the intestinal epithelium to GALT and down-regulate proinflammatory responses associated with the uptake of highly pathogenic bacteria and potentially allergenic antigens. This review summarizes the reciprocal interactions between intestinal B cells and bacteria, specifically, the formation of IgA in the gut, the role of intestinal IgA in the regulation of bacterial communities and the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis, and the effects of probiotics on IgA levels in the gastrointestinal tract.
Decreased immunogenicity of human fetal pancreas allografts following hyperbaric oxygen culture.

Human fetal pancreas (HFP) is a potential source of transplantable islets for the treatment of type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Pretransplant culture techniques such as long-term culture, high-oxygen culture, UVB irradiation, and low-temperature culture have previously been used to reduce the immunogenicity of tissue for transplantation. In this study, we use hyperbaric oxygen culture (HOC) to modify MHC Class I expression on HFP and to reduce the immunological response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to HFP using a sponge matrix allograft model. To study the interaction of naive PBMC with HOC-treated or untreated HFP allografts, sponges embedded with HFP tissue were implanted into the peritoneal cavity of NOD-SCID mice and injected with 1 x 10(7) freshly isolated human PBMC at the time of transplant. By day 14, human CD45 cells represented less than 2% of the cells recovered from the sponges implanted with HOC-treated HFP. In contrast, human CD45(+) cells represented nearly 15% (P =.0018) of the cells isolated from sponges implanted with conventionally cultured HFP grafts. Approximately 75% of the human CD45(+) cells from conventionally cultured HFP allografts were producing IFNgamma as determined by intracellular cytokine analysis. These data suggest that HOC treatment of HFP abrogates the activation and proliferation of PBMC. Pretransplant HOC treatment of islets is a simple technique that could be used to reduce immunogenicity and increase allograft survival while decreasing the requirement for immunosuppressive drugs.
The effect of output-input isolation on the scaling and energy consumption of all-spin logic devices

All-spin logic (ASL) is a novel approach for digital logic applications wherein spin is used as the state variable instead of charge. One of the challenges in realizing a practical ASL system is the need to ensure non-reciprocity, meaning the information flows from input to output, not vice versa. One approach described previously, is to introduce an asymmetric ground contact, and while this approach was shown to be effective, it remains unclear as to the optimal approach for achieving non-reciprocity in ASL. In this study, we quantitatively analyze techniques to achieve non-reciprocity in ASL devices, and we specifically compare the effect of using asymmetric ground position and dipole-coupled output/input isolation. For this analysis, we simulate the switching dynamics of multiple-stage logic devices with FePt and FePd perpendicular magnetic anisotropy materials using a combination of a matrix-based spin circuit model coupled to the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation. The dipole field is included in this model and can act as both a desirable means of coupling magnets and a source of noise. The dynamic energy consumption has been calculated for these schemes, as a function of input/output magnet separation, and the results show that using a scheme that electrically isolates logic stages produces superior non-reciprocity, thus allowing both improved scaling and reduced energy consumption.
The light environment and growth of C3 and C4 tree species in the understory of a Hawaiian forest.

The light environment in the understory of a Hawaiian forest containing a C4 tree species, Euphorbia forbesii, was characterized using photosynthetic photon flux density sensors connected to portable data acquisition systems and a strip chart recorder, and hemispherical “fisheye” photographs of the canopy. During July 1980, 86 μmol cm2 day1 was received in the understory of which approximately 40% was contributed by sunflecks. The understory received 2.4% of the light reaching the top of the canopy. Nearly all sunflecks had peak photon flux densities greater than 250 μmol m2 s1, but two-thirds were less than 0.5 min in length. The number of minutes of sunflecks received per day at any site was highly variable, depending on cloudiness and the overstory canopy structure. On a relatively clear day a 10-fold difference in the number of minutes of sunflecks was observed between sample sites. Estimates obtained from hemispherical photographs were used to calculate the annual mean potential number of minutes of sunflecks per day received by saplings of Euphorbia and a C3 tree species, Claoxylon sandwicense. The growth of saplings of both species was highly correlated with the estimates of the minutes of sunflecks and was similar for both species. Although C4 photosynthesis is usually found in plants native to high-light environments, it does not appear to confer any disadvantage in terms of growth to Euphorbia forbesii in the low-light conditions of the forest understory.
Decentralized failure diagnosis of stochastic discrete event systems

In decentralized diagnosis the system behavior is monitored at multiple local sites, each possessing its own sensors and making its own local diagnosis decision without communicating with other sites. In this paper we formalize the decentralized diagnosis for stochastic DESs by introducing S-Codiagnosability, supplementing the notion of SS-Codiagnosability first introduced by Liu, et al. We also give polynomial algorithms for checking (i) necessity and sufficiency of SS-Codiagnosability, (ii) sufficiency of S-Codiagnosability, and (iii) necessity as well as sufficiency of S-Codiagnosability, which requires an additional notion of equivalence of probabilistic automata.
An infeasibility pricing algorithm for the multicommodity minimum cost flow problem

Abstract In this study we develop a price-directive algorithm for solving the minimum cost multicommodity flow problem. The algorithm is a specialization of Balas' infeasibility pricing method. The subproblems are first solved and the infeasibility in the common resources is used to generate a new direction for the price vector. By making use of the network structure, the process of finding the new direction is simplified. The subproblems are solved only once and the procedure is illustrated by a numerical example.
Simultaneous dynamic thermogravimetry and mass spectrometry of the evaporation of alkali metal nitrates and nitrites

Six alkali metal nitrates and nitrites were evaporated in vacuum at a constant heating rate in a combined mass spectrometric and thermogravimetric apparatus. Time resolved profiles of decomposition gases and kinetics were obtained for LiNO3, NaNO3, KNO3, Na/KNO3, NaNO2 and KNO2. Activation energies for the evaporation of these salts were calculated and compared to previous results of isothermal experiments. In the temperature range 650–850 K, the decomposing nitrates released NO, N2 and O2 while the nitrites released only NO and N2.
Effect of external heat extraction on dendritic growth into undercooled melts

Solidification characteristics in most rapid solidification processes are controlled by heat extraction by the chill substrate and by melt undercooling, especially near the substrate. A dendrite growth model for this situation is derived in the present study. The model involves combined effects of the undercooled melt and the substrate as effective heat sinks. A dendrite is assumed to grow into an undercooled melt, with heat evolution at the dendrite tip occurring both into the undercooled melt and into the chill substrate through the growing solid. The significance of the proposed dendrite model and the stability of dendrite growth under the thermal conditions considered are discussed, using the Fe-Cr-Ni alloy system as an example.
Radiation-Induced Hydroxyl Addition to Purine Molecules: EPR and ENDOR Study of Hypoxanthine Hydrochloride Monohydrate Single Crystals

Abstract Tokdemir, S. and Nelson, W. H. Radiation-Induced Hydroxyl Addition to Purine Molecules: EPR and ENDOR Study of Hypoxanthine Hydrochloride Monohydrate Single Crystals. Radiat. Res. 163, 663–672 (2005). Three radical species were detected in an EPR/ENDOR study of X-irradiated hypoxanthine·HCl·H2O single crystals at room temperature: RI was identified as the product of net H addition to C8, RII was identified as the product of net H addition to C2, and RIII was identified as the product of OH addition to C8. The observed set of radicals was the same for room-temperature irradiation as for irradiation at 10 K followed by warming the crystals to room temperature; however, the C2 H-addition and C8 OH-addition radicals were not detectable after storage of the crystals for about 2 months at room temperature. Use of selectively deuterated crystals permitted unique assignment of the observed hyperfine couplings, and results of density functional theory calculations on each of the radical structures were co...
The system SrMnO3−x

Abstract The system SrMnO3−x (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.5) was investigated by gravimetric and quenching experiments. Four-layer, hexagonal SrMnO3 (a = 5.449 A, c = 9.078 A) is stable in air below 1035°C. Above 1035°C the basic structure becomes increasingly anion deficient, reaching the limiting composition SrMnO2.89 near 1400°C. Unit cell dimensions increase and distortion to orthorhombic symmetry occurs with decreasing oxygen content. Further reduction occurs from 1400°C to a melting point at 1740°C and a “perovskite” homogeneity range exists with limits SrMnO2.74 and SrMnO2.62. The anion-deficient perovskite phases can be rapidly reoxidized at low temperatures to yield a metastable cubic perovskite, SrMnO3 (a = 3.806 A). Stoichiometry and stability of phases are discussed from the standpoint of variation in the coordination of the manganese cation.
Cosmology and particle physics - a general review

The various stages in the evolution of the universe from approximately 0.0001 sec to approximately more than 100,000 years are discussed. The use of quantum gravity, the Kaluza (1921) and Klein (1926) theories, and supersymmetry to study the gravitational interactions during the Planck epoch is examined. Examples of the effect of exponential expansion due to a supercooled phase transition (inflation) are presented. The big bang baryosynthesis and nucleosynthesis hypotheses are reviewed. 86 references.
Reduced dopaminergic binding during aging in the rodent striatum

Summary [ 3 H]Spiroperidol and [ 3 H]ADTN (2-amino-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetra hydronaphthalene) binding were used to assay for dopamine receptors in aged C57BL/6J mouse striatal membranes. [ 3 H]Spiroperidol binding declined linearly with age starting at 3 months. By 28 months, spiroperidol binding was only about 50% of the 3 month value. Dissociation constants dissociation rates and binding inhibition by (+)-butaclamol (antagonist) and apomorphine (agonist) were similar, suggesting that the age-related loss of spiroperidol binding was due to a loss in receptor number and not an alteration in binding affinity. [ 3 H]ADTN binding also declined with age, but the losses tended to be about twice as large as those seen for spiroperidol. Consideration of possible mechanisms of receptor loss with age indicate that nigrostriatal denervation effects cannot explain all aging changes in striatal dopaminergic functions. The loss of receptors with age may derive from a loss of striatal neurones on which residue a population of dopaminergic binding sites.
Pricing and Hedging American Options: A Recursive Integration Method

In this paper, we present a new method for pricing and hedging American options along with an efficient implementation procedure. The proposed method is efficient and accurate in computing both option values and various option hedge parameters. We demonstrate the computation accuracy and efficiency of this numerical procedure in relation to other competing approaches. We also show how the method can be applied to the case of any American option for which a closed-form solution exists for the corresponding European option.
The History and Development of the Cursus Mixtus in Latin Literature

In 1984 and 1985 Ralph Hall and I presented statistical methodologies, based on inductive statistics and the comparative method, to determine the rhythmical qualities of Latin prose from the third to early sixth century A.D. We continued our work with the publication of articles on the final clausulae in the legal codes and Augustine's letters and on rhythms in internal positions, while I produced studies of the clausulae in the Pseudo-Sallustiana and Ammianus.
Role of Fluoroquinolones in the Primary Prophylaxis of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: Meta-Analysis

Background & Aims The use of antibiotics in the primary prophylaxis for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with cirrhosis is controversial. Our purpose was to determine the beneficial effect of fluoroquinolones as compared with placebo in primary prophylaxis of SBP in high-risk patients with cirrhosis by using meta-analysis. Methods Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched in all languages until August 2008 for randomized placebo-controlled studies evaluating the role of fluoroquinolones in primary prevention of SBP in patients with low protein ascites (total ascitic protein, Results Four randomized controlled studies met predefined criteria. The odds ratios for developing first episode of SBP, serious infections, and mortality with fluoroquinolone prophylaxis (n = 194) versus placebo (n = 190) were 0.18 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09–0.35), 0.18 (95% CI, 0.10–0.32), and 0.60 (95% CI, 0.37–0.97), respectively. All studies were unidirectional in showing the beneficial effect of fluoroquinolone prophylaxis. We were limited by finding few studies with relatively small sample sizes. Conclusions Daily oral fluoroquinolone prophylaxis reduces the risk of development of first episode of SBP and mortality in cirrhotic patients with low total protein in the ascitic fluid. Fluoroquinolones might be advisable for the primary prophylaxis of SBP in selected high-risk patients with cirrhosis.
The Roles of Intrinsic and Technical Noise in Pulsed Stimulated Brillouin Scattering in Optical Fiber

We present energy statistics of light generated by spontaneously initiated Stimulated Brillouin scattering driven by stable and fluctuating pump pulses. The distribution and amplitude of pump fluctuations are controlled to probe effects of technical noise.
Molecular engineering of liquid crystal polymers by living polymerization: 5. Synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of poly{2-[(4-cyano-4′-biphenyl)oxy]ethyl vinyl ether-co-8-[(4-cyano-4′-biphenyl)oxy]octyl vinyl ether}

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of poly{2-[(4-cyano-4′-biphenyl)oxy]ethyl vinyl ether} [poly(6-2)], poly{8-[(4-cyano-4′-biphenyl)oxy]octyl vinyl ether) [poly(6–8)] and of poly (6-2-co-6–8) X Y (where X Y is the molar ratio of the two monomeric structural units) with degrees of polymerization of about 10 and narrow molecular weight distribution are described. Both homopolymers and copolymers were prepared by the living cationic polymerization and copolymerization of 6-2 and 6–8. During the first heating scan poly(6-2) presents an inverse monotropic sc mesophase. During subsequent heating and cooling scans, this polymer is amorphous regardless of the thermal history of the sample. Poly(6–8) exhibits an enantiotropic sA mesophase. During both the first and subsequent heating and cooling scans, the phase diagram which plots the dependence of mesomorphic transition temperatures as a function of copolymer composition is continuous. In the case of poly (6-2-co-6–8) 3 7 , which exhibits a triple point in its phase behaviour, the highest temperature mesophase changes from nematic to sA. During the first heating scan, poly (6-2-co-6–8) X Y with X Y = 10 0 to 6 4 represents an inverse sC monotropic mesophase. Poly (6-2-co-6–8) X Y with X Y = 8 2 to 6 4 show in addition to the sC phase an enantiotropic nematic mesophase. Poly (6-2-co-6–8) 5 5 exhibits only an enantiotropic nematic mesophase, while poly (6-2-co-6–8) 4 6 displays both a nematic and a sA enantiotropic mesophase. Poly (6-2-co-6–8) X Y with X Y = 3 7 to 0 10 present an enantiotropic sA mesophase. The second and subsequent heating scans and first and subsequent cooling scans provide an identical phase behaviour with that obtained from the first heating scan, except that the sc mesophase is absent.
Multimarket Contact and Patent Litigation in the Global Smartphone Industry

Multimarket contact, which can both heighten interfirm competition and facilitate mutual forbearance, has been an important concept in the competitive dynamics literature. This paper disentangles t...
Ultrasonic viscoelasticity imaging of nonpalpable breast lesions

The prognosis of breast cancer patients improves with early and accurate diagnosis. A small clinical study was conducted with 21 women having a single nonpalpable breast lesion, each detected mammographically with later pathology confirmation. Elasticity images were acquired on each patient to test for the ability to differentiating malignant and benign lesions. The mechanical relaxation time T 1 images showed a tissue-specific T 1 contrast that is negative for all 11 malignant lesions and positive for all 10 benign lesions. Strain images were estimated using a regularized multi-scale optical flow (ROF) algorithm. Adjustments to the input parameters to the ROF and their subsequent effects on T 1 estimation and computation time are shown to have a strong effect of diagnostic performance.
Multipulse Mode of Heating Nanoparticles by Nanosecond, Picosecond and Femtosecond Pulses

Nanoparticles are being researched as a noninvasive method for selectively killing cancer cells. With particular antibody coatings on nanoparticles, they attach to the abnormal cells of interest (cancer or otherwise). Once attached, nanoparticles can be heated with UV/visible/IR or RF pulses, heating the surrounding area of the cell to the point of death. Researchers often use single-pulse or multipulse lasers when conducting nanoparticle ablation research. In the present paper, we are conducting an analysis to determine if the multipulse mode has any advantage in heating of spherical metal nanoparticles (such as accumulative heating effect). The laser heating of nanoparticles is very sensitive to the time structure of the incident pulsed laser radiation, the time interval between the pulses, and the number of pulses used in the experiments. We perform time-dependent simulations and detailed analyses of the different nonstationary pulsed laser-nanoparticle interaction modes, and show the advantages and disadvantages of multipulse (set of short pulses) and single-pulse laser heating of nanoparticles. A comparative analysis for both radiation modes (single-pulse and multipulse) are discussed for laser heating of metal nanotargets on nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond time scales to make recommendations for efficient laser heating of nanomaterials in the experiments.
Secretion of newly taken-up ascorbic acid by adrenomedullary chromaffin cells

Primary cultures of bovine adrenomedullary cells accumulate carbon-14-labeled ascorbic acid through a saturable and energy-dependent process. The newly taken-up ascorbate is released concomitantly with catecholamines upon stimulation of chromaffin cell secretion. The release of ascorbate is Ca2+-dependent and mediated through activation of nicotinic receptors. These results indicate that exogenous ascorbate taken up into chromaffin cells is incorporated in situ into a secretable compartment, probably the catecholamine-containing chromaffin vesicles.
Trapping metallic Rayleigh particles with radial polarization: reply to comment

This is a reply to the comment by Iglesias and Saenz directed to a previous paper "Trapping metallic Rayleigh particles with radial polarization," by Q. Zhan, Opt. Express 12, 3377 (2004).
Quench plateau, coil cure temperature, and copper-to-superconductor ratio in recent 1.8 m SSC model dipoles

The ratio of the conductor-limited quench currents to the short-sample prediction, I Q /I ss , is tabulated for a series of 1.8 m-long SSC model collider dipoles. Sixteen of these magnets have 40 mm aperture, four have 50 mm aperture. For these magnets, the coil cure temperature ranged from 135 C to 217 C and the ratio of copper-to-superconductor ranged from 1.27 to 1.54. At 4.35 K, the value of I Q /I ss was between 1.00 and 1.04 with no clear dependence on cure temperature or Cu:S.C. ratio.
Vacuolar neuritic dystrophy in aged mouse superior cervical sympathetic ganglia is strain-specific.

We have developed a model of autonomic nervous system aging using the mouse superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (SCG) which is characterized by the reproducible development of distinctive, markedly-enlarged neuritic swellings (vacuolar neuritic dystrophy, VND). These structures contained an admixture of lucent vacuoles and subcellular organelles, and involved both presynaptic and postsynaptic ganglionic elements. Quantitation of the frequency of VND was accomplished at the light microscopic level and validated by ultrastructural examination. VND lesions were 30-100-fold more frequent in the aged mouse paravertebral SCG than in the prevertebral celiac/superior mesenteric (C/SMG) sympathetic ganglia. Although VND was identified in all ages of mice examined, the number of lesions increased significantly with age. The frequency of VND was a function of the strain of mouse examined with a 40-fold difference in VND frequency between C57BL6 mice, the least involved strain, and the DBA/2J strain, which was most affected and began to develop significant numbers of lesions at an early age. As in our human studies of aging in the sympathetic nervous system, there was a prominent gender effect with males developing twofold greater numbers of VND lesions than females. Mice maintained on a significant calorie restricted diet for 30 months developed 70% fewer lesions than ad libitum-fed, age and sex matched controls. The aging mouse SCG, therefore, represents a robust animal model with reproducible, quantifiable and unambiguous neuropathology. Insights into pathogenetic mechanisms gained in the subsequent analysis of this relatively simple peripheral sympathetic nervous system model may contribute to the understanding of some of the most complex and significant problems involving higher brain function.
Integrating quantitative PCR and Bayesian statistics in quantifying human adenoviruses in small volumes of source water.

Abstract Rapid quantification of viral pathogens in drinking and recreational water can help reduce waterborne disease risks. For this purpose, samples in small volume ( e.g. 1 L) are favored because of the convenience of collection, transportation and processing. However, the results of viral analysis are often subject to uncertainty. To overcome this limitation, we propose an approach that integrates Bayesian statistics, efficient concentration methods, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) to quantify viral pathogens in water. Using this approach, we quantified human adenoviruses (HAdVs) in eighteen samples of source water collected from six drinking water treatment plants. HAdVs were found in seven samples. In the other eleven samples, HAdVs were not detected by qPCR, but might have existed based on Bayesian inference. Our integrated approach that quantifies uncertainty provides a better understanding than conventional assessments of potential risks to public health, particularly in cases when pathogens may present a threat but cannot be detected by traditional methods.
The pupillary control system: Its non-linear adaptive and stochastic engineering design characteristics

In the decade since the pupillary light reflex to light was first studied using a linear transfer function approach [18, 20], many developments in control theory and in research into biological control systems have occurred. Optimal control theory, Liapunov stability methods, Wiener-G functional analysis, general systems identification procedures and pattern recognition techniques for adaptive systems have influenced experimental approaches to a wide variety of neurological control systems. An intensive reinvestigation using classical electrophysiological techniques to define interesting design features of the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of these systems is now proceeding, and it appears that clinical applications are on the horizon. Three contemporary experimental approaches to the pupillary system will be described in detail and shown to result in complementary views. 1.(A) Wiener-G functional analysis using both random and time domain inputs [10]. 2.(B) Statistical communication analysis of pupil noise [12, 16], and 3.(C) Neurophysiological techniques embedded within a systems approach [19].
Realisation of an ac link unified power flow controller

Unified power flow controllers (UPFC) have been demonstrated to be a versatile approach for realising ac power flow control in transmission systems. Although the conventional approach for UPFC has been based on dc link converters, direct ac link power conversion at the power frequency is being introduced as an alternative means for unified power flow control. In this study, the realisation of an ac link UPFC based on vector switching converters is presented. The control function that can independently control real and reactive power throughput in a transmission line is accomplished by direct ac↔ac conversion without frequency change, adopting the strategy of pulse width modulation and operated in conjunction with an appropriate configuration of typical power transformers. Operating principles, equivalent circuits, computer simulation and experimental results are presented on the basis of a laboratory-scale prototype.
Wilhelm August Gottlieb Manniske, MD (1769-1835): Microscope Use During Removal of Buried Corneal Body in 1792

In 1792, a priest in Germany consulted a young doctor about a buried corneal foreign body hidden in a small, hard mass that partly covered the pupil. During removal of the foreign body, the doctor inspected the corneal incision with a microscope to confirm the suspected presence of the foreign body. This may be the first use of a microscope in eye surgery.
Spatial Forecast Verification: Baddeley’s Delta Metric Applied to the ICP Test Cases

AbstractA mathematical displacement metric, Baddeley’s Δ, is examined for verifying gridded forecasts against gridded observations using the Spatial Forecast Verification Methods Intercomparison Project test cases. Results are compared with several other new approaches. The metric performs similarly to other displacement methods, complementing neighborhood techniques.
Assessing a novel application of web-based technology to support implementation of school wellness policies and prevent obesity

Childhood obesity is one of the most pressing public health concerns in the United States. Because schools are a critical site to promote wellness and prevent obesity, extensive policy and legislative efforts have focused on school-based food services, nutrition education, physical education, and overall physical activity. Unfortunately, research indicates that most of these policies prove ineffective due to insufficient implementation. A small number of web-based programs have emerged that are designed to support the implementation of school wellness policies. The purpose of the current study is to present and interpret findings from an evaluation of the web-based portion of a program implemented throughout the state of Pennsylvania. In total, 192 registered users completed a survey designed to evaluate their utilization and perceptions of the web-based features of the Health eTools for Schools program. Participants represented the following stakeholder groups: school nurses, teachers, wellness coordinators, administrators, and food service directors. Findings indicate the web-based portion of the Health eTools for Schools program is comprehensive, well-designed, and has the potential to support implementation of school wellness policies geared toward obesity prevention. At present, the web-based features are most effective in providing school nurses with tools and resources to execute their roles related to obesity prevention. Applications supporting other groups such as teachers and food service directors require further development to be equally effective. The number of programs with this focus is likely to increase and further research is needed to address other aspects of these programs as well as their impact on student level outcomes such as eating habits, body mass index, physical activity levels, and physical fitness.
Daughter ion mass spectra of 11-pentafluorobenzyl ester derivatives of 11-dehydiothromboxane B2 and B3

Collisionally activated decomposition (CAD) mass spectra of the [M − C 6 F 5 CH 2 .] − ions of 1-methyl ester-11-pentafluorobenzyl ester-9,12,15-tris(trimethylsilyl) and 9,12,15-tris(ethyldimethylsilyl) ether derivatives of 11-dehydrothromboxane B 2 are presented and discussed. The spectra are interpreted with the aid of those of a corresponding 3,3,4,4-tetradeutero compound and of an analogous derivative of 11-dehydrothromboxane B 3 . Proposed fragmentation pathways are based on internal consistency of data from all four compounds
The role of standards in creating a health information infrastructure

In the belief that the existence of a variety of standards is an absolute necessity for health care professional workstations to work, this paper provides a detailed overview of the standards efforts of a number of groups. According to the International Standards Organization (ISO) Reference Model, workstations require a full level of standards from the physical level through and beyond the applications level. Rapidly changing technology challenges acceptance of standards at the lower levels. Current recommendations include fiberoptic media using certain protocols. Other standards in these lower levels also have support. At the applications level, data messaging standards are being developed by six groups. The consensus standards body for the United States is coordinating the efforts of these groups in order to produce a harmonized effort, and is coordinating the effort with Europe for an international effort. Work on the development of the full set of standards necessary for workstation implementations is lagging. Accelerating the process is mandatory if we are to achieve the necessary seamless interoperability required by workstations for ubiquitous intelligent communications between the workstations and the sources of data.
Anisotropy and critical current density of MgB/sub 2/ thin films grown in-situ by molecular beam epitaxy

We report transport properties of superconducting MgB/sub 2/ thin films in-situ grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The MgB/sub 2/ films show a superconducting transition at 34.5 K with /spl Delta/T/sub c/<1 K. We measure the in-plane electrical resistivity of the films in magnetic field to 8 T and estimate the upper critical field H/sub c2//sup /spl perp//(0)/spl sim/32 T for field oriented along the c-axis and H/sub c2//sup /spl par//(0)/spl sim/35 T in the plane of the film. We find the zero-temperature coherence lengths /spl xi//sub c/(0)/spl sim/31 /spl Aring/ and /spl xi//sub ab/(0)/spl sim/36 /spl Aring/, indicating the field anisotropy ratio is 1.2, comparable with reported in-situ epitaxial thin films, but less than single crystals. The calculated electronic mean free path l=25 /spl Aring/ is smaller than the coherence length, which places our films in the dirty limit. Estimates of the critical current density, J/sub c/, using magnetic field hysteresis loops and the Bean critical state model give nominal critical current densities on the order of 10/sup 6/ A/cm/sup 2/ at 15 K and self-field.
Brain organization mirrors caste differences, colony founding and nest architecture in paper wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

The cognitive challenges that social animals face depend on species differences in social organization and may affect mosaic brain evolution. We asked whether the relative size of functionally distinct brain regions corresponds to species differences in social behaviour among paper wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). We measured the volumes of targeted brain regions in eight species of paper wasps. We found species variation in functionally distinct brain regions, which was especially strong in queens. Queens from species with open-comb nests had larger central processing regions dedicated to vision (mushroom body (MB) calyx collars) than those with enclosed nests. Queens from advanced eusocial species (swarm founders), who rely on pheromones in several contexts, had larger antennal lobes than primitively eusocial independent founders. Queens from species with morphologically distinct castes had augmented central processing regions dedicated to antennal input (MB lips) relative to caste monomorphic species. Intraspecific caste differences also varied with mode of colony founding. Independent-founding queens had larger MB collars than their workers. Conversely, workers in swarm-founding species with decentralized colony regulation had larger MB calyx collars and optic lobes than their queens. Our results suggest that brain organization is affected by evolutionary transitions in social interactions and is related to the environmental stimuli group members face.