cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Path Planning of Data Mules in Sensor Networks

We study the problem of planning the motion of “data mules” for collecting the data from stationary sensor nodes in wireless sensor networks. Use of data mules significantly reduces energy consumption at sensor nodes compared to commonly used multihop forwarding approaches, but has a drawback in that it increases the latency of data delivery. Optimizing the motion of data mules, including path and speed, is critical for improving the data delivery latency and making the data mule approach more useful in practice. In this article, we focus on the path selection problem: finding the optimal path of data mules so that the data delivery latency can be minimized. We formulate the path selection problem as a graph problem that is capable of expressing the benefit from larger communication range. The problem is NP-hard and we present approximation algorithms for both single-data mule case and multiple-data mules case. We further consider the case in which we have only partial knowledge of communication range, where we design semionline algorithms that improve the offline plan using online knowledge at runtime. Simulation experiments on Matlab and ns2 demonstrate that our offline and semionline algorithms produce significantly shorter path lengths and data delivery latency compared to previously proposed methods, suggesting that controlled mobility can be exploited much more effectively.
Adding handheld game programming to a computer science curriculum

A new course in handheld game programming is described. The target platform is the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. We explain the capabilities of this platform and the tools and documentation used to teach the course. We provide a self evaluation from our experience teaching the course for the first time. Finally, the value of the course in exposing students to alternative programming environments is assessed.
On the definitions of some complexity classes of real numbers

Three formulations of computable real numbers based on the concepts of Cauchy sequences, Dedekind cuts, and the binary expansions have been carefully studied. We extend the definitions to recursively enumerable real numbers, and some complexity-bounded classes of real numbers. In particular, polynomial time and nondeterministic polynomial time computable real numbers are defined and compared. Although the three definitions are equivalent for the class of recursive real numbers, they are not equivalent for other classes of real numbers. It seems that the definition based on the concept of Cauchy sequences is the most general one.
Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy of Plasmons in Individual Silver Nanowires and Gold Nanorods

We resolve the modes from individual silver and gold nanostructures by means of electron energy loss spectroscopy. We compare experimental results to analytical descriptions of the loss probability for electrons incident on a prolate spheroid.
Volatile anesthetics disrupt frontal-posterior recurrent information transfer at gamma frequencies in rat

We seek to understand neural correlates of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness. We hypothesize that cortical integration of sensory information may underlie conscious perception and may be disrupted by anesthetics. A critical role in frontal-posterior interactions has been proposed, and gamma (20-60 Hz) oscillations have also been assigned an essential role in consciousness. Here we investigated whether general anesthetics may interfere with the exchange of information encoded in gamma oscillations between frontal and posterior cortices. Bipolar electrodes for recording of event-related potentials (ERP) were chronically implanted in the primary visual cortex, parietal association and frontal association cortices of six rats. Sixty light flashes were presented every 5s, and ERPs were recorded at increasing concentrations of halothane or isoflurane (0-2%). Information exchange was estimated by transfer entropy, a novel measure of directional information transfer. Transfer entropy was calculated from 1-s wavelet-transformed ERPs. We found that (1) feedforward transfer entropy (FF-TE) and feedback transfer entropy (FB-TE) were balanced in conscious-sedated state; (2) anesthetics at concentrations producing unconsciousness augmented both FF-TE and FB-TE at 30 Hz but reduced them at 50 Hz; (3) reduction at 50 Hz was more pronounced for FB-TE, especially between frontal and posterior regions; (4) at high concentrations, both FF-TE and FB-TE at all frequencies were at or below conscious-sedated baseline. Our findings suggest that inhalational anesthetics preferentially impair frontal-posterior FB information transfer at high gamma frequencies consistent with the postulated role of frontal-posterior interactions in consciousness.
Smad1 Interacts with Homeobox DNA-binding Proteins in Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) transduce their signals into the cell through a family of mediator proteins known as Smads. Upon phosphorylation by the BMP receptors, Smad1 interacts with Smad4 and translocates into the nucleus where the complex recruits DNA-binding protein(s) to activate specific gene transcription. However, the DNA-binding protein(s) involved in BMP signaling has not been identified. Using a yeast two-hybrid approach, we found that Smad1 interacts with Hoxc-8, a homeodomain transcription factor. The interaction between Smad1 and Hoxc-8 was confirmed by a "pull-down" assay and a co-immunoprecipitation experiment in COS-1 cells. Interestingly, purified Smad1 inhibited Hoxc-8 binding to the osteopontin Hoxc-8 site in a concentration-dependent manner. Transient transfection studies showed that native osteopontin promoter activity was elevated upon BMP stimulation. Consistent with the gel shift assay, overexpression of Hoxc-8 abolished the BMP stimulation. When a wild type or mutant Hoxc-8 binding element was linked to an SV40 promoter-driven reporter gene, the wild type but not the mutant Hoxc-8 binding site responded to BMP stimulation. Again, overexpression of Hoxc-8 suppressed the BMP-induced activity of the wild type reporter construct. Our findings suggest that Smad1 interaction with Hoxc-8 dislodges Hoxc-8 from its DNA binding element, resulting in the induction of gene expression.
Detection of inflammatory cytokines using a fiber optic microsphere immunoassay array

A multiplexed fiber optic microsphere-based immunoassay array capable of simultaneously measuring five inflammatory cytokines has been developed. Five groups of amine-functionalized 3.1 micron microspheres were internally encoded with five distinct concentrations of a europium dye and converted to cytokine probes by covalently coupling monoclonal capture antibodies specific for human VEGF, IFN-gamma, RANTES, IP-10, and Eotaxin-3 to the microspheres via glutaraldehyde chemistry. The microspheres were pooled and loaded into a 1 mm diameter fiber optic bundle containing ~50,000 individual etched microwells, producing the multiplexed cytokine immunoassay array. Multiple arrays can be created from a single microsphere pool for high throughput sample analysis. Sandwich fluoroimmunoassays were performed by incubating the probe array in a sample, followed by incubation in a mixture of biotin-labeled detection antibodies that are complementary to the five cytokines. Finally, universal detection of each protein was performed using a fluorescence imaging system after briefly immersing the array in a solution of fluorophore-labeled streptavidin. The multiplexed cytokine array has been shown to respond selectively to VEGF, IFNgamma, RANTES, IP-10, and Eotaxin-3, permitting multiplexed quantitative analysis. Ultimately, the multiplexed cytokine array will be utilized to evaluate the potential of using saliva as a noninvasive diagnostic fluid for pulmonary inflammatory diseases such as asthma.
ICCVAM Evaluation of the Murine Local Lymph Node Assay: I. The ICCVAM Review Process

New test methods are being developed to improve the prediction of human and environmental risks and to benefit animal welfare by reducing, refining, and replacing animal use. Regulatory adoption of new test methods is often a complex and protracted process, requiring test method validation, regulatory acceptance, and implementation. Assessments of new test methods have not always been uniform within or among regulatory agencies. Thus, there have been increased pressures for a harmonized approach to test method evaluation and acceptance. In 1997, in response to these pressures and to U.S. Public Law 103-43, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) established the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) to coordinate interagency consideration of new and revised test methods. This article describes the validation and acceptance criteria and process used for the first test method evaluated by ICCVAM, the murine local lymph node assay (LLNA). Based on ICCVAM's conclusions and recommendations, the LLNA has been accepted by U.S. regulatory agencies as a stand-alone assay for allergic contact dermatitis. Two related articles in this series of three present the results of the independent peer review evaluation of the LLNA and summarize the performance characteristics of the database substantiating the validity of the LLNA.
Case-based reasoning as a computer aid to diagnosis

A Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) system has been developed to predict the outcome of excisional biopsy from mammographic findings. CBR is implemented by comparing the current case to all previous cases and examining the outcomes for those previous cases that match the current case. Patients from breast screening who have suspicious findings on their diagnostic mammogram, are candidates for biopsy. The false positive rate for the decision to biopsy is currently between 66% and 90%. The CBR system is designed to support the decision to biopsy. The mammograms are read by clinicians using a standard reporting lexicon (BI- RADSTM). These findings are compared to a database of findings from cases with known outcomes (from biopsy). The fraction of similar cases that were malignant is returned. The clinician can then consider this result when making the decision regarding biopsy. The system was evaluated using round-robin sampling scheme and performed with a Receiver Operating Characteristic area of 0.77.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Nitric Oxide Rapid Thermal Nitridation of Thin Gate Oxides

Nitric oxide rapid thermal nitridation of thin gate oxides was investigated. Oxides from 25 to 55 A were grown in O2 and subsequently nitrided in a nitric oxide (NO) ambient using an Applied Materials RTP Centura chamber. Nitrogen incorporation and film thickness growth during NO nitridation were evaluated. Peak nitrogen incorporation was most strongly influenced by temperature and time, with moderate influence by initial oxide thickness, and no significant influence due to NO flow rate. Peak nitrogen concentrations ranged from 1 to 9 atomic percent as characterized by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) analysis. Oxide growth during nitridation ranged from 2 A to 11 A with no degradation in uniformity. These data were used in the design of two 40 A oxynitride processes incorporating 2 and 4 peak atomic percent nitrogen. High quality MOS capacitors were demonstrated with these dielectrics. Performance was compared against a baseline furnace process as well as non-nitrided RTO. Throughout this work, the chamber integrity was monitored using visual inspection, minority carrier lifetime (MCLT) and surface photovoltage (SPV). No contamination, corrosion or other degradation of the process chamber was observed in over 6 months’ operation with over 700 NO processes completed. The controllability, uniformity and high nitrogen incorporation of rapid thermal NO nitridation make it an attractive process for deep sub-micron gate insulators.
Stability of cognitive functioning early in the course of schizophrenia

This study evaluated the longitudinal course of neuropsychological deficits in a group of patients with new or recent onset schizophrenia. Thirty-five inpatients with DSM-III-R diagnoses of schizophrenia were administered a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests during their index hospitalization, and either 1 or 2 years after intake. Cognitive function remained stable in most domains, including motor speed, verbal and nonverbal memory, and verbal learning. Significant improvement in neuropsychological performance was observed on a task of complex attention (Trails B) and a set response shifting task (Stroop). These improvements were correlated with changes in clinical symptoms, but not with changes in medication dose. These findings suggest that most of the neuropsychological functioning in schizophrenia is stable over the first few years of the illness. Moreover, those neuropsychological deficits that remain unchanging appear to be independent of significant change in clinical symptoms, suggesting they may be a trait of the illness. However, a small subset of functions such as complex attention and response inhibition appear to fluctuate with time, and in particular, with clinical symptomatology, and may be considered 'state' dependent.
The Indian woman in the Bengali/Hindu Dollhouse: Satyajit Ray's Charulata (1964)

(1996). The Indian woman in the Bengali/Hindu Dollhouse: Satyajit Ray's Charulata (1964) Women's Studies: Vol. 25, Gender and Film, pp. 189-200.
Intranasal drug targeting of hypocretin-1 (orexin-A) to the central nervous system

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits the distribution of systemically administered therapeutics to the central nervous system (CNS). Intranasal delivery is a noninvasive method that targets drugs to the brain and spinal cord along olfactory and trigeminal neural pathways, bypassing the BBB and minimizing systemic exposure and side effects. To assess intranasal drug targeting of a neuropeptide (hypocretin-1, HC) to the CNS, pharmacokinetics in blood, CNS tissues, and peripheral tissues were compared after intranasal and intravenous infusion to anesthetized rats. Despite a 10-fold lower blood concentration of HC with intranasal administration, both routes resulted in similar brain concentrations. Tissue-to-blood concentration ratios after intranasal administration were significantly greater in all brain regions over 2 h compared to intravenous administration, with the highest ratios in the trigeminal nerve (14-fold) and olfactory bulbs (9-fold). Intranasal delivery increased drug targeting to the brain and spinal cord 5- to 8-fold. Approximately 80% of the area under the brain concentration-time curve following intranasal administration was due to direct transport from the nasal passages. Intranasal delivery rapidly targets HC to the CNS with minimal systemic exposure, most of which reaches the brain intact by mechanisms not involving distribution from the blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid.
On the mechanism of immobilized glucose oxidase deactivation by hydrogen peroxide.

The result of experiments in a fixed-bed reactor containing glucose oxidase immobilized on a nonporous support and conducted in the absence of diffusional limitations are reported. Kinetic parameters were established by separate batch experiments. The key observation was that, in every case, poisoning by product hydrogen peroxide resulted in a minimum in enzyme activity in the interior of the bed, well away from the ends. The deactivation data were interpreted by fitting the rate constant for poisoning, the only free parameter, to a previously reported theory. The theory postulates several deactivation mechanisms each of which leads to self-consistent kinetics, but the only mechanism which fitted the data assumes that peroxide attack the enzyme when it is the from complexed with glucose. Theory and experiment agreed to within the accuracy (± 2%) of the activity measurements.
Dynamic properties of vestibular reflexes in the decerebrate cat

Vestibulocollic (VCR) and vestibulo-ocular (VOR) reflexes were studied during angular rotation in the horizontal plane in precollicular decerebrate cats. Angular position was modulated by sinusoids or sums of sinusoids with frequencies ranging from 0.05 to 5 Hz.
Possible antihydrogen production using trapped plasmas

Since antiprotons have been captured in an ion trap, we consider the possibility of producing antihydrogen by merging cold trapped plasmas of antiprotons and positrons. The calculated, instantaneous rate for antihydrogen production by the 3-body recombination $$p^ - + e^ + + e^ + \to \bar H + e^ + $$ is much higher than for other proposed techniques, opening up intriguing experimental possibilities.
Computer based systems in boiling water reactors

This paper describes the application of computers to the General Electric Company's Boilling Water Reactor (BWR) type nuclear power plants. In the GE BWR plants, computers are used for Real Time Process Monitoring, Nuclear Steam Supply Systemn Performance and Core Limit Evaluation, Balance of Plant Performance Evaluation, Historical Recording, and Control Rod Pattern Enforcement. These functions are performed by different systems and subsystems each consisting of one or more computers. This paper discusses the following:Basic design objectives of each System Major Functions performed by each system simplified systems configurations system operation system evaluation and testsThis paper concludes with a brief discussion of computer control and comments on a few anticipated control applications. It suggests that the architecture of the display control system is adaptable to control applications.
The trisecant identity and operator theory

For the special case of a Riemann surface which arises as the double of a planar domainR, the trisecant identity has a natural interpretation as a relation among reproducing kernels for subspaces of the Hardy spaceH2(R). This relation and Riemann's theorem on the vanishing of the theta function is applied to Nevanlinna-Pick interpolation onR.
Cruelty, Culture, and Coping: Comment on the Westermeyer Paper

Refugee trauma, as described by Joseph Westermeyer, M.D., is compared and contrasted with traumatization and victimization. Exposure to cruelty complicates the recovery process. Clinicians who treat Vietnam veterans are good candidates for training programs in cross-cultural care of Asian refugees.
Gaseous absorption in a liquid

The absorption of gas into a liquid is modeled by a diffusion equation with a nonlinear boundary condition. The formulation is mathematically unusual. Even without any prescribed data, a unique solution exists. The exact solution is obtained in an infinite series of parabolic cylinder functions. The existence, uniqueness and convergence of the series solution are considered and proved. The exact solution for the case with an arbitrary initial condition is also found. These two solutions are mathematically unrelated in the sense that the former is not a limiting case of the latter. The paper concludes with a discussion on the analyticity of these two solutions.
Effects on splenic, hepatic, hematological, and growth parameters following high-dose poloxamer 407 administration to rats

The nonionic surfactant poloxamer 407, NF (PIuronic ® F-127, NF) has previously been shown to produce marked hyperlipidemia in rats at a dose of 1.5 g/kg for greater than 96 h following a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection (Wout et al. J. Parenter. Sci. Technol., 46 (1992) 192–200). In an effort to characterize any potential toxicity of the polymeric vehicle to various organ systems in the rat following multiple i.p. injections, a dose of 0.33 g/kg per day (10% w/w solution) or 1.0 g/kg per day (30% w/w solution) of poloxamer 407 was administered once daily for 4 consecutive days. When compared to control (non-injected) animals, rats injected with 0.33 g/kg per day of poloxamer 407 did not show a significant (p > 0.05) increase or decrease in spleen, liver, or total body weight. A complete blood count (CBC) with a white blood cell (WBC) differential was performed on blood samples collected on day five from rats injected with poloxamer 407 at both doses. The CBC with WBC differentia] was conducted to assess any changes in the WBC count, percent lymphocytes (LY), percent monocytes (MO), percent granulocytes (GR), red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (HGB), percent hematocrit (HCT), and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) following administration of poloxamer 407. Rats injected i.p. with a dose of 0.33 g/kgper day of poloxamer 407 for 4 days demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the number of MO when compared to controls. Administration of 1.0 g/kg per day of poloxamer 407 to rats for 4 days demonstrated distinct splenomegaly when compared to non-injected control animals. In addition, a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in body weight and significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the percent LY, RBCs, HGB, and percent HCT were noted. Lastly, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the number of WBCs and the percent MO was observed in this same group of rats. However, rats administered 1.0 g/kg per day of poloxamer 407 for 4 days were observed to have no detectable changes in the values of the MCV, the percent GR, or liver-to-body weight ratio when compared to control animals. Thus, repetitive i.p. injections of poloxamer 407 to rats at a dose of 1.0 g/kg per day for four days results in splenomegaly and a reduction in total body weight. Splenomegaly in rats administered poloxamer 407 at a dose of 1.0 g/kg per day resulted from red pulp expansion due to infiltration of macrophages which contained phagocytized lipids.
Therapeutic biology: Checkpoint pathway activation therapy, HIV Tat, and transkingdom RNA interference

Therapeutic biology is an exciting new frontier in the post-genomic era with the mission to better human health. The explosive increase in the understanding of molecular and regulatory biology has enabled the identification of a plethora of potential targets and pathways for the discovery of new medicines. Conversely, molecularly based therapeutic intervention of biological aberrations in human diseases offers a test of the depth of our understanding of biology. This article discusses three examples of therapeutic biology research. The first concerns the treatment of cancer by activating genome surveillance circuitry, namely checkpoint-pathway activation therapy. The second example is the identification of the HIV Tat protein as both a cause of immune cell activation and apoptosis, and as a vaccine candidate against HIV infection. The third example describes transkingdom RNA interference and its application in the investigational and therapeutic silencing of disease genes.
DURABLE‐GOODS MONOPOLY WITH MAINTENANCE

A two-period durable-goods monopoly product model with a competitive maintenance market is examined. Three types of monopoly solutions are calculated and contrasted to the social optimum: rentals, committed sales and uncommitted sales. Among other things, it is shown that contrary to the conventional wisdom a seller with committed power does not wish to commit ‘to act like a renter’ when maintenance is performed by buyers. This is due to the different objective functions of the buyer and seller. Furthermore, unlike earlier works, it is shown that the socially optimal amount of maintenance/repair does not occur in any sales case.
Effect of acupuncture on allergic rhinitis: clinical and laboratory evaluations.

Of 22 subjects with allertic rhinitis who received a series of 6 acupuncture treatments, 11 (50%) were virtually symptom-free by the end of the series, 8 (36%) experienced a moderate reduction in symptoms, and 3 (14%) recieved no significant relief. Clinical assessment of symptoms was made on a 6-point scale before the first treatment and before each subsequent session. Laboratory tests included absolute blood eosinophils, percentage of nasal eosinophils, and radioimmunoassy of serum IgE, performed before the first treatment, at the end of the series, and 2 months later. A siginificant decrease in subjective clinical rating symptoms correlated with a concurrent drop in absolute numbers of blood eosinophils and percentage of nasal eosinophils. IgE levels decreased in 64% of the subjects by completion of treatment and in 76% at 2-month follow-up.
Phosphorylation of β-Casein and α-Lactalbumin by Casein Kinase from Lactating Bovine Mammary Gland

Two milk proteins, beta-casein and alpha-lactalbumin, were compared as substrates for casein kinase from bovine mammary gland. beta-Casein could be rephosphorylated after removal of its phosphate groups, whereas alpha-lactalbumin was an effective substrate after the protein had been reduced and carboxymethylated. The native proteins could not be phosphorylated. Magnesium2+, Ca2+, and Mn2+ stimulated phosphorylation of the modified proteins. Calcium2+ was the most effective cation for alpha-lactalbumin and Mn2+ for beta-casein. Michaelis constants were 144 microM for alpha-lactalbumin in the presence of Ca2+ and 142 microM for beta-casein in the presence of Mn2+; however, the maximum velocity for alpha-lactalbumin was three times that of beta-casein. After phosphorylation with [gamma-32P] ATP, partial hydrolysis showed that only serine residues were phosphorylated in both proteins. Chymotryptic peptides of phosphorylated alpha-lactalbumin and tryptic peptides of phosphorylated beta-casein were examined by HPLC and selected peptides were analyzed for amino acid content. Comparison of the analyses with sequence data showed that serine at position 47 in alpha-lactalbumin is the major site of phosphate incorporation. Dephosphorylated beta-casein was only partially rephosphorylated. However, the sites identified correspond to the phosphorylated residues in native beta-casein, namely, serine at position 35 and the cluster of four serines between residues 15 and 20.
A Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity in rabbit neutrophil membranes

An ATPase activity specifically stimulated by micromolar Ca2+ concentrations has been identified in association with rabbit neurophil membranes. These studies provide the basis of further characterization of the Ca2+-ATPase activity with regard to neutrophil function.
Inactivation of the infragranular striate cortex broadens orientation tuning of supragranular visual neurons in the cat

Intracortical inhibition is believed to enhance the orientation tuning of striate cortical neurons, but the origin of this inhibition is unclear. To examine the possible influence of ascending inhibitory projections from the infragranular layers of striate cortex on the orientation selectivity of neurons in the supragranular layers, we measured the spatiotemporal response properties of 32 supragranular neurons in the cat before, during, and after neural activity in the infragranular layers beneath the recorded cells was inactivated by iontophoretic administration of GABA. During GABA iontophoresis, the orientation tuning bandwidth of 15 (46.9%) supragranular neurons broadened as a result of increases in response amplitude to stimuli oriented about ±20° away from the preferred stimulus angle. The mean (±SD) baseline orientation tuning bandwidth (half width at half height) of these neurons was 13.08±2.3°. Their mean tuning bandwidth during inactivation of the infragranular layers increased to 19.59±2.54°, an increase of 49.7%. The mean percentage increase in orientation tuning bandwidth of the individual neurons was 47.4%. Four neurons exhibited symmetrical changes in their orientation tuning functions, while 11 neurons displayed asymmetrical changes. The change in form of the orientation tuning functions appeared to depend on the relative vertical alignment of the recorded neuron and the infragranular region of inactivation. Neurons located in close vertical register with the inactivated infragranular tissue exhibited symmetric changes in their orientation tuning functions. The neurons exhibiting asymmetric changes in their orientation tuning functions were located just outside the vertical register. Eight of these 11 neurons also demonstrated a mean shift of 6.67±5.77° in their preferred stimulus orientation. The magnitude of change in the orientation tuning functions increased as the delivery of GABA was prolonged. Responses returned to normal approximately 30 min after the delivery of GABA was discontinued. We conclude that inhibitory projections from neurons within the infragranular layers of striate cortex in cats can enhance the orientation selectivity of supragranular striate cortical neurons.
Purulent Pericarditis Due to Neisseria mucosa

A 51-year-old man with chronic renal failure developed purulent pericarditis. Cultures of pericardial fluid and tissue grew Neisseria mucosa .
The Anomalous Foundations of Dream Telling: Objective Solipsism and the Problem of Meaning

Little sociological attention is directed to dreams and dreaming, and none at all is directed to how people tell one another about dreams. Ordinary settings in which dreams are told mimic the conditions of “breaching” experiments and should produce anomie, but dream telling proceeds without trouble. Foundational orientations of ordinary dream talk assimilate into professional dream studies, where dream narratives are “data” and the analysis of narratives is “dream analysis.” That such practices proceed without trouble poses some interesting problems for sociology in terms of how anyone experiences “constraint” in the telling and hearing of dreams.
Cancer and children: where are we coming from? Where are we going?

The past four decades have seen remarkable progress in the treatment of childhood cancer and changes in the social environment in which cancer in the family is experienced. Current research in pediatric psycho-oncology focuses on psychosocial consequences of the disease and on differentiating which factors predict problematic versus positive outcomes in adjustment of the child and the family. The papers in this Special Issue reflect much of the recent developments in childhood psycho-oncology as well as the challenges to come. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Media, Old Struggles: Pan Africanism, Anti-racism and Information Technology

Abstract This paper examines the counter-penetration of information technology by people of African descent in the struggle against human rights violations produced by slavery, colonialism, apartheid and globalisation. Historical anti-racist movements like abolitionism, Pan-Africanism and the anti-apartheid and civil rights movements all used communications technology to expose the extent and brutality of white supremacy and to create international networks of resistance movements. They sought to disseminate information about the extent of racist violence through an appropriation of information technologies that had erstwhile been used to oppress people of African descent. From the outset, the anti-racism movement's forte was building a counter-hegemonic discourse to challenge human rights violations created by white racism around the world. This paper argues that just as the anti-racists of the past used the pen, typewriter, printing press, microphone and camera against the whips, guns, bombs, and concen...
Interdecadal Variation of the Transition Zone Chlorophyll Front : A Physical-Biological Model Simulation between 1960 and 1990

The interdecadal climate variability affects marine ecosystems in both the subtropical and subarctic gyres, consequently the position of the Transition Zone Chlorophyll Front (TZCF). A three-dimensional physical-biological model has been used to study interdecadal variation of the TZCF using a retrospective analysis of a 30-year (1960–1990) model simulation. The physical-biological model is forced with the monthly mean heat flux and surface wind stress from the COADS. The modeled winter mixed layer depth (MLD) shows the largest increase between 30°N and 40°N in the central North Pacific, with a value of 40–60% higher during 1979–90 relative to 1964–75 values. The winter Ekman pumping velocity difference between 1979–90 and 1964–75 shows the largest increase located between 30°N and 45°N in the central and eastern North Pacific. The modeled winter surface nitrate difference between 1979–90 and 1964–75 shows increase in the latitudinal band between 30°N and 45°N from the west to the east (135°E–135°W), the modeled nitrate concentration is about 10 to 50% higher during the period of 1979–90 relative to 1964–75 values depending upon locations. The increase in the winter surface nitrate concentration during 1979-90 is caused by a combination of the winter MLD increase and the winter Ekman pumping enhancement. The modeled nitrate concentration increase after 1976–77 enhances primary productivity in the central North Pacific. Enhanced primary productivity after the 1976–77 climatic shift contributes higher phytoplankton biomass and therefore elevates chlorophyll level in the central North Pacific. Increase in the modeled chlorophyll expand the chlorophyll transitional zone and push the TZCF equatorward.
Health Policy and Diabetes Care: Is It Time to Put Politics Aside?

The burden of chronic diseases is enormous and growing, not only in the U.S. but also around the world. The control of chronic diseases requires effective approaches, including patient education, provider knowledge, and team care. Effective policies must also be enacted to address chronic diseases at a local, state, and federal level. This is especially true with regard to diabetes, which in the U.S. cost $245 billion in 2012 and consumed 1 in every 10 health care dollars (1). The current trajectory for economic costs for the U.S. is not sustainable … perhaps the time is right to reevaluate our health policies. Implementing policies to prevent or treat a disease is clearly not a trivial matter, and such efforts seem to be more effective when there are specific goals. Childhood immunizations provide a good example. In the 1990s, half of the children in this country were not appropriately immunized against communicable diseases (2). As was elegantly summarized (2), “It took strong evidence and a powerful political and organizational movement to get 90 percent of the children in this country immunized. That meant winning the support of the states, professional groups, pediatricians, and health maintenance organizations; obtaining funding from Congress so the shots could be provided in doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies at almost no charge; and developing an immunization tracking system.” What health policies might similarly alter the medical landscape for chronic diseases such as diabetes? In this regard, evaluating the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in general, and Medicaid expansion in particular, on diabetes identification and treatment would be of interest. In this issue of Diabetes Care , Kaufman et al. (3) provide one of the first reports on the effect of Medicaid expansion on diabetes diagnosis. The authors reported that in states that expanded Medicaid, …
A simple algorithm to assess patient suitability for Calypso-seed implantation for four-dimensional prostate localization

To retrospectively determine the proportion of prostate cancer patients who are appropriate candidates for prostate localization with Calypso (Calypso Medical, Seattle, WA); to assess the accuracy of surface anatomy in predicting prostate depth; and to describe a simple clinical algorithm predicting patient's appropriateness for Calypso localization. Medical records and archived CT scans of all patients treated for localized prostate cancer at our institution between 2006 and 2007 were reviewed. Association between the feasibility of Calypso use, the depth of the prostate from the anterior torso, and a variety of anatomic factors were assessed (ANOVA, linear regression, and ROC). Patients were appropriate for the Calypso system in 91% of cases (localize and track, 52%; localize only, 39%). Strong correlation between greater trochanter location and the posterior prostate was seen (r 2 = 0.91, mean difference 0.6 cm). The negative predictive value of the greater trochanter measurements was 31%. Thirty-one out of forty-five patients (69%) who were deemed inappropriate for Calypso based on greater trochanter to anterior torso measurements were eligible on the basis of CT-based measurements of prostate depth. Weight, BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference correlated with distance from the prostate to the anterior torso and were predictive of Calypso appropriateness. All patients with weight <or= 100 kg, BMI <or= 30, or waist/hip circumference <or= 100 cm, were eligible for Calypso. Most prostate cancer patients are candidates for Calypso localization +/- tracking. The greater trochanter to anterior torso distance underestimates the number of eligible patients. Weight, BMI and waist/hip circumference are good predictors for Calypso appropriateness.
A CMOS VLSI chess microprocessor

The Berkeley Chess Microprocessor (BCM) is a 200000 transistor, 1.2 micron CMOS (N-Well) die, 11 mm by 9 mm in area. It can generate three million legal moves/s. The BCM's novel architecture allows for evaluation of chess board positions several ply deep from the current board position. This chip has three evaluation innovations: (1) pins and X-ray attacks can be determined, (2) dynamic evaluation is possible, and (3) an ALU on each square can sum the values of attacking pieces. The evaluation innovations can be used to produce exponential search speedup for chess programs. This approach of mapping the problem's topology into silicon is general enough to be used to produce exponential speedups in tree searches where interactions are considered in parallel. >
Saliva Testing for Drugs of Abuse

Saliva testing for drugs of abuse can provide both qualitative and quantitative information on the drug status of an individual undergoing testing. Self-administration by the oral, intranasal, and smoking routes often produces "shallow depots" of drug that contaminate the oral cavity. This depot produces elevated drug concentrations that can be detected for several hours. Thereafter, saliva drug concentrations generally reflect the free fraction of drug in blood. Also, many drugs are weak bases and saliva concentrations may be highly dependent upon pH conditions. These factors lead to highly variable S/P ratios for many of the drugs of abuse. Table 3 provides a compilation of experimental and theoretical S/P (total) ratios determined for drugs of abuse. Estimations of the theoretical S/P (total) ratios for acidic and basic drugs were based on the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Saliva pH was assumed to be 6.8 unless reported otherwise by the investigators. Generally, there was a high correlation of saliva drug concentrations with plasma, especially when oral contamination was eliminated. Assay methodology varied considerably, indicating that saliva assays could be readily developed from existing methodology. There are many potential applications for saliva testing for drugs of abuse. Table 4 lists several general areas in which information from saliva testing would be useful. Clearly, saliva drug tests can reveal the presence of a pharmacologically active drug in an individual at the time of testing. Significant correlations have been found between saliva concentrations of drugs of abuse and behavioral and physiological effects. Results indicate that saliva testing can provide valuable information in diagnostics, treatment, and forensic investigations of individuals suspected of drug abuse. It is expected that saliva testing for drugs of abuse will develop over the next decade into a mature science with substantial new applications.
Late rectal sequelae following definitive radiation therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix: A dosimetric analysis☆

Purpose: This study attempted to correlate patient, treatment, and dosimetric factors with the risk of late rectal sequelae in patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) for cervical carcinoma. Methods and Materials: A total of 183 patients with cervical carcinoma (67 Stage I, 93 Stage II, and 23 Stage III) treated with definitive RT with a minimum of 2 years follow-up were evaluated. Treatment consisted of external beam pelvic RT (EBRT) followed by intracavitary RT (ICRT) consisting of one or two insertions. Complications were scored and analyzed as a function of 25 patient and treatment factors. Conventional total rectal doses were obtained by adding together the EBRT and ICRT rectal doses. To account for differences in dose rate between the ICRT and EBRT, and variations in EBRT fractionation schemes, biologically equivalent rectal doses (BED) were calculated using a linear quadratic model. In addition, the influence of the varying proportions of EBRT and ICRT rectal doses were evaluated. Results: Twenty-eight patients (15.3%) developed late rectal sequelae (13 Grade 1,3 Grade 2, and 12 Grade 3). Diabetes (p = 0.03), Point A dose (p = 0.04), and conventional EBRT dose (p = 0.03) were the most significant factors on multivariate analysis. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a low risk (~10%) of late rectal sequelae below conventional and biological rectal doses of 75 Gy and 135 BED, respectively. The percentage of rectal dose delivered by the EBRT significantly influenced the dose-response relationship. A defined threshold percentage above which rectal sequelae were more common was identified over the range of doses evaluated. This threshold was 87% at a total rectal dose of 60 Gy and decreased to 60% at 80 Gy. Conclusion: Diabetes, Point A, and EBRT doses are the most significant factors associated with the risk of late rectal sequelae in patients treated with RT for cervical carcinoma. The percentage of rectal dose delivered by the EBRT significantly affects the conventional and biological dose-response relationship. This suggests that the volume of rectum irradiated is an important and independent parameter in the development of late rectal sequelae. 0 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.
Observation of contrast agent response to chirp insonation with a simultaneous optical-acoustical system

Rayleigh-Plesset analysis, ultra-high speed photography, and single bubble acoustical recordings previously were applied independently to characterize the radial oscillation and resulting echoes from a microbubble in response to an ultrasonic pulse. In addition, high-speed photography has shown that microbubbles are destroyed over a single pulse or pulse train by diffusion and fragmentation. In order to develop a single model to characterize microbubble echoes based on oscillatory and destructive characteristics, an optical-acoustical system was developed to simultaneously record the optical image and backscattered echo from each microbubble. Combined observation provides the opportunity to compare predictions for oscillation and echoes with experimental results and identify discrepancies due to diffusion or fragmentation. Optimization of agents and insonating pulse parameters may be facilitated with this system. The mean correlation of the predicted and experimental radius-time curves and echoes exceeds 0.7 for the parameters studied here. An important application of this new system is to record and analyze microbubble response to a long pulse in which diffusion is shown to occur over the pulse duration. The microbubble response to an increasing or decreasing chirp is evaluated using this new tool. For chirp insonation beginning with the lower center frequency, low-frequency modulation of the oscillation envelope was obvious. However, low-frequency modulation was not observed in the radial oscillation produced by decreasing chirp insonation. Comparison of the echoes from similar sized microbubbles following increasing and decreasing chirp insonation demonstrated that the echoes were not time-reversed replicas. Using a transmission pressure of 620 kPa, the -6 dB echo length was 0.9 and 1.1 /spl mu/s for increasing and decreasing chirp insonation, respectively (P = 0.02). The mean power in the low-frequency portion of the echoes was 8 (mV)/sup 2/ and 13 (mV)/sup 2/ for increasing and decreasing chirp insonation, respectively (P = 0.01).
A novel subgridding technique for unconditionally stable time domain method

For inhomogeneous electromagnetic (EM) problems, subgridding techniques have been introduced [1, 2], in which coarse grid is used for homogeneous background, while fine grid is employed in the denser area. In the traditional approach, the interface between the two areas is considered as the boundary condition by each other. Recently, a new subgridding technique called HSG (Huygens sub-griding) method is proposed by Berenger [3], in which the physical connection between two areas is realized by means of Huygens surfaces. Instead of EM components, equivalent currents on the Huygens surface become the commuter between the coarse and fine grid regions. In a macroscopic view, EM fields are teleported from the coarse grid region (source domain) to the fine grid one (problem domain) via equivalent currents. The two major features HSG achieved are arbitrarily large spatial ratio and insignificant spurious reflection from the interface. However the drawback of the late time instability restricts its applicability. The oscillation period associated with this phenomenon depends on the spatial size of the source domain and the ratio between time step and the Courant limit.
Fighting Over a Red Herring: The Role of Economics in Recreational-Commercial Allocation Disputes

ABSTRACT This article turns a critical eye on the current role of economics in informing inter-sector allocation disputes. I argue that much of this analysis relies on a notion of efficiency that is flawed on both static and dynamic grounds and fails to address the inefficiencies of existing management institutions. I propose that real-location is rarely a first-order concern. Rather, it is a “red herring” that detracts from far more necessary fundamental reforms within the recreational sector. These reforms would significantly improve the accountability and efficiency of the sector and establish the necessary institutions to resolve allocation disputes in an adaptive, efficient manner through arms-length transactions. I propose a general framework for reform of mixed recreational-commercial fisheries and discuss realistic rights-based policies to better manage fishing mortality for private recreational anglers and facilitate transferability across sectors. I close with an appeal for more policy-relevant ...
Energy consumption in the production of high-brightness light-emitting diodes

High-brightness light-emitting diodes (LEDs) form the basis for solid-state lighting (SSL) systems. SSL systems have the potential to reduce electricity consumption of lighting systems as they are much more efficient than current lighting technologies. One concern is that the full life-cycle energy requirements of SSL systems, including the production of the materials and LED components, may negate any savings during the use phase. As a start to estimating the life-cycle energy requirements of SSL systems, we present an estimate for the manufacturing energy consumption of high-brightness light-emitting diodes. Results are based on full-scale, research-scale, and laboratory-scale equipment energy use data, and data from logic chip production processes. Energy consumption estimates for wafer production are 15 kWh to 60 kWh (approximately 1,000 LEDs).