cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiparameter acoustic imaging in the born approximation

Abstract : Computer-based acoustic imaging techniques have been studied intensively during the last decade. Typical techniques involve irradiating a sample with prescribed sound fields, measuring the resulting scattered fields and applying a computational algorithm to the scattering data to produce maps of such sample parameters as density, sound speeds and perhaps others. These techniques have important applications to medical ultrasonic imaging where the sample is a living organism, to non-destructive evaluation where the sample is a manufactured item such as a metal casting or ceramic object and to geophysical prospecting where the sample is a portion of the earth's crust. This paper treats a problem of medical ultrasonic imaging. The sample is modelled as an inhomogeneous fluid which is characterized by a variable density rho(x) and sound speed c(x). The use of a fluid model is motivated by the fact that in biological tissues, other than bone, acoustic shear waves are not observed. In acoustic imaging, the scale of the smallest structures that can be resolved is of the order of the smallest wavelength employed. A typical sound speed in biological tissue is c = 1500 m/sec.
Central administration of cholecystokinin potentiates evoked potential amplitude in the hippocampal dentate gyrus

Cholecystokinin and related ligands were injected into a lateral ventricle and recordings made of the field potential in the hippocampal dentate gyrus evoked by stimulation of the medial entorhinal cortex. With the exception of the unsulfated octapeptide, these compounds induced an increase in population action potential amplitude. The unsulfated octapeptide was found to inhibit the action of its sulfated congener, and alone induced a decrease in response amplitude. These results suggest a modulation of intracortical activation of the dentate gyrus by cholecystokinin, and that this action is probably mediated by a central-type receptor.
Magic, Monsters, and Movies: America's Midnight Ghost Shows

This essay examines midnight ghost shows (alternately known as “spook shows,” or “spookers”) and seeks to reinsert them into theatre history and to posit them as a cultural barometer of the time in which they were popular. Ghost shows were magic shows presented on the stages of America’s movie theatres throughout the first half of the twentieth century. A ghost show was usually part of a double-bill with a film, and each built to a special blackout sequence that would close the show. The earliest ghost shows used illusions borrowed from seances, such as table tipping and the production of apparitions, while later ones featured characters from popular horror films and bloody stage illusions such as decapitations and immolations. These productions represent how some enterprising magicians were able to create a trans-medial synergy between their staged magic shows and the emerging motion-picture industry, allowing them to not only survive, but to thrive in the changing entertainment milieu of early twentieth-century America. Ghost shows also stand as early examples of movie events that prefigured the phenomenon of midnight showings associated with cult films such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show .
Bursal Secretory Dendritic-Like Cell: A Microenvironment Issue

Abstract In 1978, Olah and Glick identified in the medulla of the bursa of Fabricius a dendritic cell, the bursal secretory dendritic-like cell (BSDC). The morphology of BSDC, the functional relationship of BSDC to bursal follicle development and the spleen, and the identification in the embryo of the BSDC precursor was reported. The precursor BSDC appeared in the bursa before B cells. A monoclonal antibody to vimentin, an intermediate filament, will identify BSDC and not B cells in posthatch chickens. The vimentin-positive cells, but not B cells, in hatched chicks express complete IgG chain. Taken together, the present data may contribute to the events occurring during the bursal-dependent stages of B cell development. Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement, within the bursa or at extra-bursal sites, and clonal expansion at extra-bursal sites are antigen-independent and dependent, respectively. The bursal-dependent stage includes the expansion of the Ig rearranged cells and gene conversion, which contributes to antibody diversity. The IgG and granular products produced by BSDC may act as ligand and signals for B cell expansion and gene conversion.
Research note: Polling the public on prostitution

Telephone interviews with 413 Toledo (Ohio) area adults disclosed little support for decriminalization of prostitution, but revealed divisions among substantial minorities who favored strategies of suppression, toleration, or legalization. Age and education were the only demographic variables that significantly affected opinions toward the strategies. Attitude toward government interference in matters of sexual privacy had the greatest impact on opinions toward all strategies, but it accounted for little variation. Attributions of prostitutes' motivations likewise explained little variation in approval of strategies. Overall, the research showed that respondents are indifferent to prostitution and are uninformed about alternative official responses to it.
Energetic, Low‐Melting Salts of Simple Heterocycles

The synthesis of three new families of heterocyclic-based salts was undertaken and accomplished. Three triazole systems, 1H-1,2,4-triazole, 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole, and 1H-1,2,3-triazole, were used as proton bases with nitric (HNO3), perchloric (HClO4), and dinitramidic (HN(NO2)2) acid systems. In all cases, stable salts were recovered and fully characterized by vibrational spectra (IR, Raman), multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, material balance, density measurements, and elemental analyses, as well as DSC, TGA and initial safety testing (impact). Many of these salts have melting points well below 100 °C, yet high decomposition onsets, defining them as new, highly energetic members of the well known class of materials identified as ionic liquids. Additionally, the single crystal X-ray diffraction study of 1,2,4-triazolium perchlorate was investigated, revealing the expected structure.
Intense up-conversion luminescence resulting from the two-photon absorption of Er3+ ions in crystals of CsMgCl3

Abstract Crystals of CsMgCl3 doped with Er3+ exhibit up-conversion luminescence when pumped (pulsed excitation) at wavelengths corresponding to near UV absorptions of the Er3+ ion (380 and 360 nm). The effect which appears to result from two-photon absorption at a single Er3+ ion is particularly strong at 380 nm. The up-conversion luminescence arises from the 2I 13 2 (V) and 4G 7 2 (T) excited states which occur at 40800 and 36200 cm−1, respectively.
Effects of acute and chronic injections of carbachol in the rat caudate nucleus.

Abstract Carbachol was injected unilaterally into the caudate nucleus of rats once a week for 3 weeks. Contralateral forelimb tremors were monitored and tremor frequency was found to be 27.9 ± 2.2 (S.E.) Hz. Most animals had a decrease in tremor amplitude and duration by the third week but the sample means were not significantly lower than those in the first week. The tremor onset latency and the frequency of occurrence of other behavioral effects of carbachol did not change. With continued weekly injections in a selected group of animals, tolerance developed with respect to tremor amplitude and duration. A 4.5 week rest period was required for complete return of tremors. The tremor onset latency did not change.
Correlation of MRI sequences to assess progressive glioblastoma multiforme treated with bevacizumab

In the context of bevacizumab therapy for the treatment of progressive malignant gliomas, it is currently unclear how different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences correlate with each other over time. The objective of this study was to determine if a reliable and predictable relationship over time exists between post-gadolinium based contrast agent T1-weighted (T1 + GBCA), T2-weighted, and FLAIR MRI in patients with progressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) receiving bevacizumab and chemotherapy. The MRI lesion volumes of 10 patients with progressive GBM that received bevacizumab plus chemotherapy were manually calculated by two independent reviewers. T2 and FLAIR volumes were analyzed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) as a function of T1 + GBCA lesion enhancement volume, reviewer, and time interval between MRI acquisitions. Pearson product moment correlation (r) was used to compare pre and post treatment volumes for the group of 10 patients and for each individual patient over their treatment course. ANCOVA demonstrated a significant association between T1 + GBCA and T2-weighted volumes (P = 0.0006) and between T1 + GBCA and FLAIR volumes (P < 0.0001). These associations remained constant over time. The correlation between T1 + GBCA and both T2-weighted and FLAIR volumes improved after bevacizumab treatment. Individual correlations between T1 + GBCA and FLAIR were strong (r ≥ 0.63) with one exception, while correlations between T1 + GBCA and T2 were more variable (r = 0.18–0.99). These findings suggest that FLAIR MRI should be evaluated in addition to T1 + GBCA MRI when evaluating GBM responses.
Body mass characteristics of hip osteoarthritis patients experiencing aseptic loosening, periprosthetic fractures, dislocation, and infections after total hip replacement

This work assessed the body mass characteristics of a cohort of community dwelling adults requiring surgery for complications related to primary hip arthroplasty, among other factors. The specific aim was to identify the extent to which high body mass prevailed in the cohort as a whole, to identify a role for subnormal body mass in the pathogenesis of post-operative complications following hip joint arthroplasty, and to identify whether different complication types could be differentiated on the basis of body mass profiles. The subjects were males and females drawn from a representative sample of 1,040 hip osteoarthritis patients between the ages of 30–89 years hospitalized for purposes of primary hip arthroplasty or complications related to prior replacement surgery. An analysis of their medical records showed: 1) Approximately 20% of the present cohort was constituted by patients with various complications related to prior arthroplasties, or to general deterioration of their condition; 2) The most common reasons for their re-hospitalization were aseptic prosthetic loosening followed by infection, prosthetic dislocations, prosthetic and periprosthetic fractures, and second surgeries on the opposite hip; 3) The presence of a high body mass index differentiated those presenting with aseptic prosthetic loosening, periprosthetic fractures, and those with infected hips (p < 0.007). Those with infection diagnoses were significantly heavier on average than those with no infection, regardless of diagnosis, and more cases with a dislocation history were underweight, rather than overweight (p < 0.05). It is concluded, a small but clinically relevant proportion of obese or underweight adults with hip osteoarthritis who undergo primary total hip replacement may experience complications at higher rates than cases with normal body weight, despite the generally successful outcomes experienced by the majority of hip arthroplasty patients.
Group Dynamics in Top Management Teams: Groupthink, Vigilance, and Alternative Models of Organizational Failure and Success.

This study explored the heuristic value of Janis' (1982) groupthink and vigilant decision making models as explanations of failure and success in top management team decision making using the Organizational Group Dynamics Q-sort (GDQ). Top management teams of seven Fortune 500 companies were examined at two historical junctures-one when the team was successful (defined as satisfying strategic constituencies) and one when the team was unsuccessful. Results strongly supported the notion that a group' decision making process is systematically related to the outcomes experienced by the team. Ideal-type Q-sorts organized around Janis' analysis of groupthink and vigilance were substantially correlated with Q-sorts of failing and successful groups, respectively. The fit was, however, far from perfect. Ideal-type Q-sorts derived from other frameworks correlated better with the failure-success classification than did the Janis-derived ideal types. Successful groups showed some indicators of groupthink (e.g., risk-taking, cohesion, and strong, opinionated leaders), whereas unsuccessful groups showed signs of vigilance (e.g., internal debate to the point of factionalism). The results illustrate the usefulness of the GDQ for developing and empirically testing theory in organizational behavior from historical cases. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.
Interstitial heparan sulfate in granulomatous inflammatory skin diseases

Abstract Background Heparan sulfate (HS) is a glycosaminoglycan that is anchored to the outside of cell membranes. Under ordinary circumstances, it is not present in the interstitium, but under certain circumstances, mainly in the setting of inflammation and tissue repair, HS can be shed from the cell surface into the interstitium in a regulated fashion. Under these circumstances, interstitial HS seems to have an immunomodulatory function because of its binding of many cytokines. However, it is not known which cell types present at an inflammatory site are responsible for this shedding. Objective We have investigated the presence of interstitial HS by immunohistochemistry in various inflammatory skin diseases characterized by different compositions of the inflammatory infiltrate. Results Strong interstitial HS immunoreactivity was present only in diseases with a predominantly histiocytic infiltrate but not in diseases with a predominantly lymphocytic or neutrophilic infiltrate. Conclusions This indicates that histiocytes have a direct or indirect role in the HS shedding process. In the well-formed granulomas of sarcoidosis, interstitial HS immunoreactivity was spatially associated with the fibrotic ring at the periphery of the granulomas, but not with the center harboring the histiocytes. This suggests that histiocytes can stimulate fibroblasts to shed HS into the interstitium.
The development of rural leadership

Abstract Rural development programmes have altered greatly over the last twenty years with a move away from the imposition of programmes based on highly specialised views from outside to those concerned with local needs and local motivation. The study of local needs is bound up with local social, operational and economic structures and successful programmes must go beyond the consideration simply of technical matters into those concerned with the communication of ideas, the problem of inter-personal relationships and the willingness and ability to see and understand the practical problems at the local level on the farm and in the home. This paper sets out to define these areas of competence for extension workers at all levels and to stress the need for special training in these skills. In particular it outlines the important role that women can play in such programmes in developing countries.
A Great and Noble Scheme: The Tragic Story of the Expulsion of the French Acadians from Their American Homeland – By John Mack Faragher

This book, which is an excellent new narrative of the Acadian people, is a must‐read for anyone interested in early American or Canadian history. The title is somewhat misleading because of its emp...
Serum uric acid and 11.5-year mortality of middle-aged women: Findings of the Chicago heart association detection project in industry

The relationships of serum uric acid to mortality from all causes, the cardiovascular diseases, and cancer were evaluated in 6797 white women age 35-64 years followed for an average of 11.5 years in the Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Industry (CHA). Serum uric acid levels at baseline were strongly and significantly associated with all causes mortality in this cohort, with control for multiple risk factors and with exclusion of hypertensives on treatment. When the analysis was performed on age-specific groups 35-44, 45-54, and 55-64 years of age, the association was observed primarily in women in the oldest age group. All cardiovascular deaths, deaths due to coronary heart disease, and all cancer deaths were also associated with serum uric acid levels in the 55-64 year old group. The relationships persisted with control for multiple risk factors and with exclusion of treated hypertensives. A site-specific analysis of cancer deaths demonstrated elevations in mean serum uric acid levels for nearly all sites. Differences in mean serum uric acid levels between decedents and survivors tended to be largest in the first 5 years of follow-up for the cardiovascular deaths, but for cancer decedents they tended to be larger for subsequent years of follow-up. As an initial report on the association of serum uric acid and cancer in women in this age group, the results of this study require confirmation. Although hormonal influences may play a role, pathophysiologic mechanisms relating serum uric acid to mortality in white women aged 55-64 are currently unknown.
Meta-agnosticism: Higher Order Epistemic Possibility

In ‘Epistemic Modals’ (2007), Seth Yalcin proposes Stalnaker-style semantics for epistemic possibility. He is inspired by John MacFarlane’s ingenious defence of relativism, in which claims of epistemic possibility are made rigidly from the perspective of the assessor’s actual stock of information (rather than from the speaker’s knowledge base or that of his audience or community). The innovations of MacFarlane and Yalcin independently reinforce the modal collapse espoused by Jaakko Hintikka in his 1962 epistemic logic (which relied on the implausible KK principle and heavy idealizations). I respond to this new challenge with fresh objections to the underlying S4 equivalence: ◊◊p ↔ ◊p. I also propose counter-analyses of the intriguing data which Yalcin cites in support of his new semantics. A key collateral motivation for this defence of irredundant iterations is to ward off a threat to higher order vagueness.
Venous thromboembolism during primary treatment of ovarian clear cell carcinoma is associated with decreased survival.

Abstract Objectives To determine the impact of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during primary treatment of ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) on survival. Methods After Institutional Review Board approval, 74 cases of OCCC were retrieved from our pathology files. Clinical and pathological data were obtained by medical record and pathology review. Standard statistical analyses were performed. Results Among 74 patients with OCCC, VTE was diagnosed in 11 (15%) during primary treatment and 7 (9%) at time of cancer recurrence. 56 (76%) patients never developed VTE. Patients with VTE during OCCC primary treatment had shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than OCCC patients without VTE (median PFS 11 vs. 76months, p =0.01, median OS 19 vs. 90months, p =0.001). Patients with VTE during OCCC primary treatment had a 3.9-fold increase in risk of recurrence ( p =0.007) and a 6.3-fold increase in risk of death ( p p =0.005). No patient died of VTE. Conclusions VTE during OCCC primary treatment is associated with a significantly higher risk of cancer recurrence and death. This increased risk is not attributable to VTE-related mortality and raises the possibility that a paracrine circuit involving thrombosis might contribute to a more aggressive tumor biology.
Sequelae of definitive radiation therapy for prostate cancer localized to the pelvis.

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate sequelae and estimate quality of life utilizing a survey instrument in 133 consecutive patients who have undergone definitive radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer. Methods. All patients reported on have been followed for 14 to 60 months (median, 31 months) after radiation therapy and only patients with definitive prostate radiation therapy are included. Of the patients still alive at time of follow-up, 115 were mailed the questionnaire. Data regarding tumor grade and stage as well as treatment were extracted from patient files. Results. Of the 91% of patients who returned the questionnaire, 11% used a pad and 13% leaked more than a few drops of urine daily. Of all the respondents, 9% stated that incontinence was a problem, and 31 % found urinary leaking significantly worsened after radiation therapy compared with before their diagnosis of prostate cancer. With respect to sexual function, 77% recalled being able to have full or partial erections prior to radiation therapy. At some time after radiation therapy, 22% of previously potent respondents were able to have a full erection and 41 % were able to have a partial erection. Twenty-nine percent of all patients who were able to establish an erection prior to radiation therapy reported that impotence was a problem at the time of follow-up. Forty-nine percent of patients had abdominal pain, diarrhea, or abdominal cramping during or after radiation therapy and 31% of all patients still had some intestinal symptoms at the time of follow-up. Eighteen percent of all patients were significantly bothered by one or more of these bowel problems. Overall, 31% of all patients reported a persistent degree of physical discomfort that they believed was secondary to their prostate cancer or the effect of treatment. Eighty-one percent were satisfied with radiation therapy and 97% of the patients said they would have radiation therapy again if faced with the decision. Conclusions. Utilizing a sensitive questionnaire on patients who had definitive radiationtherapy for prostate cancer, we found the incidence of patients bothered by incontinence to be surprisingly frequent and higher than previously reported. The frequency of impotence is similar to previous studies. However, when our incontinence and impotence data were compared to Medicare patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy, the frequencies after radiation therapy were significantly lower. Despite the rates of sequelae, the patients were generally satisfied with the decision to undergo radiation therapy and with the medical treatment received.
Protection against Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection after Rechallenge with Homologous, but Not Heterologous, Genotypes in a Chimpanzee Model

An open question for hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine development is whether the various genotypes of this virus protect against the development of chronic infection after heterologous infection with different genotypes. We approached this question by challenging chimpanzees that had recovered from HCV genotype 1a or 1b infection with 6 heterologous genotypes as well as with a homologous genotype (for chimpanzees originally infected with genotype 1a). All 9 chimpanzees rechallenged with a homologous genotype developed self-limited infections. Of 11 chimpanzees challenged with 100 chimpanzee infectious doses of heterologous genotypes, 6 developed self-limited infections, with peak viral loads in acute-phase serum that were ~5-fold lower than those seen during primary infections. One chimpanzee (which had recovered from genotype 1b infection and was rechallenged with genotype 6a) did not develop viremia but did show an anamnestic cell-mediated immune response after rechallenge. Four of the 11 chimpanzees rechallenged with heterologous genotypes developed chronic infections with the genotypes used for rechallenge. These findings suggest that a universally protective HCV vaccine may need to incorporate epitopes from multiple genotypes.
A PRACTICAL MODEL FOR SEISMIC ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE SHEAR WALL BUILDINGS

A simple macro-model for reinforced concrete shear walls is proposed, which consists of spring elements representing flexure and shear behaviour. The model for flexural behaviour is based on section analysis, while the model for shear behaviour is based on key parameters of the flexural behaviour. Four wall test specimens are selected to evaluate the reliability of the model. Modelling parameters for the backbone curves and the hysteretic rules are examined by conducting static and time history analyses, with the hysteretic response of a test specimen compared to that calculated using the proposed model. Results show some differences between measured and calculated shear force versus shear distortion relationships, but the model is acceptable because the differences do not significantly affect calculated global response. Parametric studies are also conducted to examine the influence of modelling parameters on seismic demand and capacity, which are the major design parameters for structural performance eva...
Adaptive Control of Robot Manipulators in Constrained Motion

Adaptive motion and force control of manipulators in constrained motion in the presence of parametric uncertainties both in the robot and contact surfaces is solved in this paper. A new constrained dynamic model is obtained to account for the effect of contact surface friction. An adaptive law is suggested with unknown parameters updated by both motion and force tracking errors to guarantee asymptotic motion and force tracking without any persistent excitation condition to be satisfied. The suggested controller includes a expected PI type force feedback control structure with a low proportional (P) force feedback gain. Acausality problem is analyzed by a quasi-static method to show that allowable proportional force feedback gain is severely limited in implementation. With a slight modification to the updating law, the controller also possesses robustness to bounded measurement noise and disturbances.
Teaching Observational Research in Introductory Psychology: Computerized and Lecture-Based Methods

In the introductory psychology course, one major goal is to teach that psychology is a science. Course projects that involve data collection can be a way to engage students and to foster an appreci...
Mating Pheromone in Cryptococcus neoformans Is Regulated by a Transcriptional/Degradative “Futile” Cycle

Sexual reproduction in fungi requires induction of signaling pheromones within environments that are conducive to mating. The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is currently the fourth greatest cause of infectious death in regions of Africa and undergoes mating in phytonutrient-rich environments to create spores with infectious potential. Here we show that under conditions where sexual development is inhibited, a ∼17-fold excess of MFα pheromone transcript is synthesized and then degraded by a DEAD box protein, Vad1, resulting in low steady state transcript levels. Transfer to mating medium or deletion of the VAD1 gene resulted in high level accumulation of MFα transcripts and enhanced mating, acting in concert with the mating-related HOG1 pathway. We then investigated whether the high metabolic cost of this apparently futile transcriptional cycle could be justified by a more rapid induction of mating. Maintenance of Vad1 activity on inductive mating medium by constitutive expression resulted in repressed levels of MFα that did not prevent but rather prolonged the time to successful mating from 5–6 h to 15 h (p
Understanding the Influence of Stereotypes: Implications for the African American in Sport and Physical Activity

To stereotype suggests that we impose characteristics on people based on their perceived group membership (Oks, Haslam, & Turner, 1994). When stereotypes are based on a wealth of accumulated social and factual knowledge and are not used to make trait inferences about individual group members, they ure generally accurate and pose few problems. It is when stereotypes im based on fallacious, misleading, or limited information that they become problematic and therefore maladaptive. The purpase of this paper is to examine research that explicates the stereotyping process, review the psychological processes that operate in cognitive stereotype formation, and underscore the actual and possible detrimental consequences in the sport and physical activity domain, especially with regard to African Americans in general and African American males in particular. It is hoped that a more thorough understanding of the stereotyping process will be a deterrent to the perpetuation of maladaptive stereotypes.
Increasing temporal resolution in greenland ablation estimation using passive and active microwave data

Increasing the accuracy of melt estimation using microwave instruments by focusing on sub-day time scales is addressed. Three Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) instruments operating simultaneously over the summer of 2002 are combined to estimate brightness temperature (Tb) over daily cycles. Normalized radar cross-section (σ o ) measurements from SeaWinds on QuikSCAT are employed to provide similar estimates of σ o daily variation. The estimates are compared with automatic weather station temperatures. The combination of these measurements provides an increased understanding of the diurnal melt cycle over Greenland and estimation of the melt profile. I. INTRODUCTION Accurate estimation ofthe mass balance ofthe Greenland ice sheet is important for predicting sea-level variations related to global climate change. A key component in determin- ing mass balance is ablation (melt). The vast extent ofthe Greenland ice sheet combined with its harsh climate make it impractical to obtain sufficient in situ data to estimate ablation on an ice sheet wide scale. Studies have demonstrated microwave sensors' ability to detect the extent and duration ofmelt across the ice sheet. However, current methods use estimates obtained by averaging measurements over a period ofa day or more. During the summer varying degrees of melt cause large fluctuations in surface microwave properties over short sub-day periods, adversely affecting the estimate accuracy. This paper addresses increasing the accuracy ofmelt estima- tion by focusing on diurnal variations brightness temperature (Tb) normalized radar cross-section (σ o ) measurements. A simple model ofthe melt process is used to characterize the melt profile using the varying frequency and polarization sensitivities of Tb. The results are applicable for improving the accuracy ofablation estimates derived f rom microwave
Integer division in residue number systems

This contribution to the ongoing discussion of division algorithm for residue number systems (RNS) is based on Newton iteration for computing the reciprocal. An extended RNS with twice the number of moduli provides the range required for multiplication and scaling. Separation of the algorithm description from its RNS implementation achieves a high level of modularity, and makes the complexity analysis more transparent. The number of iterations needed is logarithmic in the size of the quotient for a fixed start value. With preconditioning it becomes the logarithm of the input bit size. An implementation of the conversion to mixed radix representation is outlined in the appendix. >
Hanging leg syndrome: combined bilateral femoral and sciatic neuropathies.

Focal nerve injuries may occur in the setting of depressed consciousness via compression or traction. Such nerve injuries may follow general anesthesia or may develop in the context of hypnotic drug or alcohol intoxication. We report a case of severe, combined, bilateral femoral and sciatic neuropathies in the context of alcohol intoxication. A 43-year-old man with chronic low back pain lost consciousness after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. He lay supine with both legs hanging over the end of his bed. His hips were hyperextended and a wooden footboard impressed into the posterior thighs near the gluteal sulci. He awoke 12 hours later unable to move or feel his legs. Bowel, bladder, and sexual function remained normal. Two months later, he was evaluated for persistent paraparesis and abnormal lower extremity sensation. His examination showed linear violaceous skin impressions at the gluteal sulci corresponding to the points of contact with the footboard (figure). There was severe bilateral …
A case for trading risk in complex conceptual design trade studies

Complex conceptual system design trade studies traditionally consider risk after a conceptual design has been created. Further, one person is often tasked with collecting risk information and managing it from each subsystem. This paper proposes a method to explicitly consider and trade risk on the same level as other important system-level variables during the creation of conceptual designs in trade studies. The proposed risk trading method advocates putting each subsystem engineer in control of risk for each subsystem. A risk vector is proposed that organizes many different risk metrics for communication between subsystems. A method of coupling risk models to dynamic subsystem models is presented. Several risk visualization techniques are discussed. A trade study example is presented based upon a simplified spacecraft model. Results from introducing the risk trading methodology into a simulated Collaborative Design Center are presented. The risk trading method offers an approach to more thoroughly consider risk during the creation of conceptual designs in trade studies.
The Tensile Fatigue Behavior of a Warp Yarn and its Influence on Weaving Performance

The tensile fatigue of a 50-50 viscose-polyester warp yam subjected to cyclic loading has been studied. Yarn loading conditions were selected to closely simulate those occurring on the warp during weaving. By examining the lifetime statistics as a function of gauge length, the existence of a "weakest-link" effect was confirmed, since both the lifetime level and standard deviation decreased with about the 1.2 power of the specimen length. From these data, it was also concluded that the "independence assumption" is valid under certain conditions. The three-parameter Weibull dis tribution provides an excellent fit of the observations, while the normal, logarithmic-normal, and first asymptotic dis tributions fit only within the central region of the distributions. The parameters of the Weibull distribution for the fatigue data obtained at varying strain levels were determined using five different estimation techniques. Only one of the methods produced results which were physically plausible in every case. Whe...
Preparation of amorphous silica

Amorphous silica having reinforcing properties for styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) was obtained by contacting silica aquagel seed, containing 1-3% SiO2 by weight, with a freshly prepared silica sol. Reinforcing by the isolated silica was greatly affected by the pH of the aquagel-sol system and moderately affected by temperature and by the silica content of the aquagel seed. Maximum tensile strengths for the vulcanizates were found using the product obtained from a 2 to 2.5% silica aquagel seed-sodium silicate system acidified with sulphuric acid to pH 3 at 85 to 95°C. On a obtenu une silice amorphe qui permet de renforcer le caoutchouc a base de styrene et de butadiene (SBR), en placant une semence de gel de silice dans l'eau (laquelle contenait 1-3% SiO2 en poids) en contact avec un sol de silice fraichement prepare. Le renforcement fourni par la silice isolee a ete fortement affecte par le pH du systeme gel-sol, tandis qu'il l'a ete moderement par la temperature et la teneur en silice de la semence du gel. On a obtenu des resistances maximales a la traction pour les vulcanisats en employant le produit provenant d'un systeme forme de 2 a 2.5% d'une semence de gel de silice et de silicate de sodium et en l'acidifiant a 85-95°C a a pH de 3 avec l'acide sulfurique.
Model-based near-field imaging of objects inside a room

Through-wall radar imaging has received much attention recently for discerning objects inside of a building. Most conventional imaging approaches are based on Fourier spectral transforms and/or far-field approximations, such as inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) and tomographic imaging. These methods assume a simple point-scattering model. On the other hand, model-based imaging is a more general approach that may utilize a more appropriate scattering model based on the physics of the scenario of interest. In this paper model-based imaging is applied to through-wall imaging with a near-field sensor. The imaging function is presented in a very general form which allows arbitrary sensor movement for collecting the scattering data. A numerical simulation is presented of a drive-by radar scan of a small 1-room building.
THE POLITICS OF FUNCTIONAL FAMILY THERAPY: A FEMINIST CRITIQUE*

This paper examines the political processes inherent in Functional Family Therapy (FFT). It argues that this model of family therapy takes a covert political stance which reinforces traditional gender roles in both family and therapist. Of particular interest are FFT's affirmation of existing interpersonal functions in the family, as well as suggested therapist use of self. The implications of this stance are discussed, as well as recommendations for change.
Cenomanian To Campanian Carbon Isotope Chemostratigraphy from the Western Interior Basin, U.S.A

Abstract Late Cretaceous carbon isotope curves generated for localities in Europe, Asia, and the deep-sea records have provided the foundation for development of a contiguous, intercontinental chemostratigraphic framework. Despite the development of carbon isotope records from selected stratigraphic intervals in the Western Interior Basin, however, a comprehensive δ13C record comparable to those developed in Europe and Asia, and from ODP sites, had not yet been completed. This study reports a new, high-resolution Cenomanian to Campanian carbon isotope record for the central Western Interior Basin of North America that makes a key contribution to the intercontinental correlation. The curve is correlated to the well-developed molluscan biostratigraphic framework for the Western Interior Basin, as well as a revised geochronology based on integration of new radioisotopic dating and astrochronology developed in the same core records from where the δ13C data were derived. The new δ13C record reflects not only major perturbations in the global carbon cycle, such as the mid-Cenomanian Event and the Cenomanian–Turonian Ocean Anoxic Event 2, but also smaller excursions that have been recognized in records from Europe and Asia. This shows that the Western Interior shallow epeiric sea was not isolated for any appreciable part of Cenomanian to early Campanian time—it consistently recorded changes in the global marine carbon cycle observed elsewhere. A critical attribute of the chemostratigraphic dataset produced in this study is its linkage with a revised Late Cretaceous time scale. Assignment of revised ages to Western Interior carbon isotope events that are globally expressed will allow export of the improved time scale to localities within and outside the Western Interior where similar carbon isotope records have been generated. This chronostratigraphic tool will allow a number of stratigraphic and geochemical hypotheses to be more rigorously tested.
The impact of including husbands in antenatal health education services on maternal health practices in urban Nepal: results from a randomized controlled trial

Observational studies suggest that including men in reproductive health interventions can enhance positive health outcomes. A randomized controlled trial was designed to test the impact of involving male partners in antenatal health education on maternal health care utilization and birth preparedness in urban Nepal. In total, 442 women seeking antenatal services during second trimester of pregnancy were randomized into three groups: women who received education with their husbands, women who received education alone and women who received no education. The education intervention consisted of two 35-min health education sessions. Women were followed until after delivery. Women who received education with husbands were more likely to attend a post-partum visit than women who received education alone [RR = 1.25, 95% CI = (1.01, 1.54)] or no education [RR = 1.29, 95% CI = (1.04, 1.60)]. Women who received education with their husbands were also nearly twice as likely as control group women to report making >3 birth preparations [RR = 1.99, 95% CI = (1.10, 3.59)]. Study groups were similar with respect to attending the recommended number of antenatal care checkups, delivering in a health institution or having a skilled provider at birth. These data provide evidence that educating pregnant women and their male partners yields a greater net impact on maternal health behaviors compared with educating women alone.
Resection of the distal ulna in rheumatoid arthritis.

Forty-two wrists in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were subjected to distal ulnar resection, and follow-up examinations were made. Failure of conservative medical therapy, subluxation or dislocation of the distal ulna with pain or limited motion, persistent synovitis, and tendon involvement are the primary indications for surgery. These painful, deformed joints experienced an increased range of motion and improved strength and function postoperatively. There was no recurrence of pain or synovitis, and tendon rupture has not occurred. No operative or postoperative complications occurred.
Dose-dependent effects of small-molecule antagonists on the genomic landscape of androgen receptor binding

The androgen receptor plays a critical role throughout the progression of prostate cancer and is an important drug target for this disease. While chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-Seq) is becoming an essential tool for studying transcription and chromatin modification factors, it has rarely been employed in the context of drug discovery. Here we report changes in the genome-wide AR binding landscape due to dose-dependent inhibition by drug-like small molecules using ChIP-Seq. Integration of sequence analysis, transcriptome profiling, cell viability assays and xenograft tumor growth inhibition studies enabled us to establish a direct cistrome-activity relationship for two novel potent AR antagonists. By selectively occupying the strongest binding sites, AR signaling remains active even when androgen levels are low, as is characteristic of first-line androgen ablation therapy. Coupled cistrome and transcriptome profiling upon small molecule antagonism led to the identification of a core set of AR direct effector genes that are most likely to mediate the activities of targeted agents: unbiased pathway mapping revealed that AR is a key modulator of steroid metabolism by forming a tightly controlled feedback loop with other nuclear receptor family members and this oncogenic effect can be relieved by antagonist treatment. Furthermore, we found that AR also has an extensive role in negative gene regulation, with estrogen (related) receptor likely mediating its function as a transcriptional repressor. Our study provides a global and dynamic view of AR’s regulatory program upon antagonism, which may serve as a molecular basis for deciphering and developing AR therapeutics.
Fast capacitance extraction of general three-dimensional structures

Several improvements to the multipole-accelerated 3-D capacitance extraction program previously described are presented. A new adaptive multipole algorithm is given, and a preconditioning strategy for accelerated iterative method convergence is described. Results using these algorithms to compute the capacitance of general three-dimensional structures are presented, and they demonstrate that the modified approach is nearly as accurate as the more standard direct factorization algorithm, and can be as much as two orders of magnitude faster. >
Vigorous physical activity among college students in the United States.

Background: Vigorous physical activity (VPA) declines from adolescence into adulthood and social disparities in VPA exist. Physical activity is understudied in the college setting. Methods: VPA during high school and college was examined among 10,437 students attending 119 four-year colleges using gender-stratified logistic regression analyses. Results: Fewer students engaged in VPA in college compared with high school (males 74% to 52%; females 68% to 44%). Athletics was associated with VPA, but 51% participated in high school and 15% in college. Among females, African Americans, Asians, and students of lower socioeconomic position (SEP) were less likely to engage in VPA in college, adjusting for high school VPA. Among males, Asians and older students were less likely to engage in VPA. Conclusions: VPA declines from high school to college. Athletic participation is a determinant of VPA, but few participate in collegiate athletics. Social disparities in VPA emerge in college, an important setting for prom...
Roles of the Different Sub-Regions of the Insular Cortex in Various Phases of the Decision-Making Process.

This paper presents a coherent account of the role of the insular cortex (IC) in decision-making. We follow a conceptualization of decision-making that is very close to one previously proposed by Ernst and Paulus (2005): that the decision process is a progression of 4 phases: (1) re-focusing attention, (2) evaluation, (3) action, and (4) outcome processing, and we present evidence for the insula’s role in all these phases. We review the existing work on insula’s functional anatomy that subdivides the IC into posterior, dorsal anterior and ventral anterior regions. We re-map the results provided by the existing literature into these subdivisions wherever possible, to identify the components' role in each decision making phase. In addition, we identify a self-regulating quality of the IC focused on harm avoidance.
Towards incorporating affective feedback into context-aware intelligent environments

Determining the relevance of services from intelligent environments is a critical step in implementing a reliable context-aware ambient intelligent system. Designing the provision of explicit indications to the system is effective in communicating this relevance, however, such explicit indications come at the cost of user's cognitive resources. In this work, we strive to create a novel pathway of implicit communication between the user and their ambient intelligence by employing user's stress as a feedback pathway to the intelligent system. In addition, following a few very recent works, we propose using proven laboratory stressors to collect ground truth data for stressed states. We present results from a preliminary pilot study which shows promise for creating this implicit channel of communication as well as proves the feasibility of using laboratory stressors as a reliable method of ground truth collection for stressed states.
Novel use of a Sengstaken–Blakemore tube during a neck exploration of a carotid injury: A case report

Penetrating neck trauma can injure the major blood vessels, airway, gastrointestinal system, and neurological system. We present a case where a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was emergently placed during surgical exploration of a stab wound to the neck to tamponade bleeding until surgical control was obtained and the vascular injuries were managed.
Solvent quality effects on scaling behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate) brushes in the moderate- and high-density regimes.

Herein, we give a detailed experimental analysis for scaling law behavior in the “moderately dense” and “high-density” brush regimes for poly(methyl methacrylate) brushes swollen in a range of solvent conditions. This expansive experimental analysis aims to validate decades of mean field theory predictions on power law scaling behavior of grafted polymer chains. Brushes with grafting densities (σ) ranging from 0.1 to 0.8 nm−2 are prepared by atom-transfer radical polymerization. The swollen thickness (h) is characterized using liquid cell ellipsometry, and the solvent quality is varied using mixtures of acetone and methanol. In a good solvent, the exponential scaling behavior (h ∝ σn) has the typical n = 1/3 dependency for grafting densities of σ ≤ 0.4 nm−2. For grafting densities of >0.4 nm−2, n increases, indicating the transition from the moderately dense to the high-density brush regime. However, in a poor solvent, the scaling behavior is independent of σ and scales as h ∝ σ0.80, approaching the theor...