cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of weather and technology on wheat yields in Oregon

Abstract The influence of weather on wheat yields in Oregon is characterized by multiple curvilinear regression analysis. Technological advances are also characterized in the analysis. Synergistic heat-moisture stress is characterized by a modified precipitation-temperature parameter, and a representation of soil moisture at planting time is introduced to characterize the “timely rains” which Eastern Oregon wheat growers desire. Standard deviation of error between estimated and actual yields was 2.35 bu/a. The influence of weather was investigated by holding technology at a constant level, and was found to be ±5 bu/a in extreme years. No systematic effect of global warming and cooling trends was identified. Model validity was substantiated by comparison of results with an independent data set.
Stochastic resonance on a circle.

We describe a new realization of stochastic resonance, applicable to a broad class of systems, based on an underlying excitable dynamics with deterministic reinjection. A simple but general theory of such ``single-trigger'' systems is compared with analog simulations of the Fitzhugh-Nagumo model, as well as experimental data obtained from stimulated sensory neurons in the crayfish.
The effect of autocorrelation on the estimation of workers' daily exposures.

Daily 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA) measurements may not be independent since production rates, maintenance schedules, work practices, and ventilation can result in trends where consecutive values are correlated (autocorrelation). A sampling program which involves collection of measurements on consecutive days, therefore, can result in biased estimates of the mean and variance of the exposure distribution if a high degree of autocorrelation exists. Three simulated data sets were examined to assess the effects of autocorrelation on the estimation of exposure distributions. Results indicated that about 30% of estimated mean values from a highly-autocorrelated series were outside the 95% confidence interval observed for an uncorrelated series. Three data sets obtained from actual workplaces were found to have relatively little autocorrelation. This suggests that for workplaces such as those analyzed here, a random sampling program may not be necessary, and sequential sampling may produce accurate estimate...
Effects of various drugs on the bronchoconstriction produced by transmural stimulation of the perfused guinea pig lung

Abstract Acetylcholine (ACh), oxotremorine, pilocarpine, nicotine, histamine and serotonin produced bronchoconstriction in the perfused guinea pig lung. Atropine blocked the effect of oxotremorine and pilocarpine, reduced the effect of acetylcholine, reduced that of nicotine and did not alter serotonin or histamine broncoconstriction. Nicotine bronchoconstriction and the residual effect of ACh on the atropinized lung were abolished by hexamethonium. Transmural stimulation of the lung produced bronchoconstriction, potentiated by eserine; atropine abolished this potentiation. On the atropinized lung hemicholinium-3 in some cases reduced, in others it failed to reduce, the effects of repeated transmural stimulations. Atropine alone (up to 4 × 10 −5 ) or together (10 −6 ) with cyproheptadine and hexamethonium had only a minor effect on the electrically induced bronchoconstriction. It is concluded that the atropine-resistant bronchoconstrictor effect is mediated by autonomic postganglionic fibers that do not release acetylcholine, histamine or serotonin.
Intracellular Distribution of Lysozyme in Rat Alveolar Type II Epithelial Cells

This study investigated the intracellular distribution of lysozyme, a protein that is synthesized and secreted by rat alveolar type II epithelial (ATII) cells and alveolar macrophages, using a polyclonal antibody generated against purified rat lysozyme. Lysozyme was immunoprecipitated with this antibody from Triton X-100 lysates of ATII cells cultured on a basement membrane derived from Englebreth-Holme-Swarm mouse sarcoma (EHS) and radiolabeled with 35S-methionine. ATII cells cultured on EHS basement membrane for several days were fixed and labeled with antibodies to surfactant apoprotein A (SP-A) and lgp-120 (a lysosomal glycoprotein), or lysozyme and lgp-120, and studied by confocal microscopy. Organelles were identified that stained positively for either anti-lysozyme or anti-lgp-120; a second population of organelles contained both markers. Similarly, two populations of SP-A-containing organelles were identified; one contained the lysosomal glycoprotein lgp-120. In addition, confocal images demonstra...
Genomic Analysis of the Snn1 Locus on Wheat Chromosome Arm 1BS and the Identification of Candidate Genes

The pathogen Stagonospora nodorum produces multiple hostselective toxins (HSTs) that induce cell death and necrosis in sensitive wheat (Triticum sp.) genotypes. One such HST is SnTox1, which interacts with the host gene Snn1 on wheat chromosome arm 1BS to cause necrosis leading to disease susceptibility. Toward the positional cloning of Snn1, we developed saturated and high-resolution maps of the Snn1 locus and evaluated colinearity of the region with rice (Oryza sativa L.). An F2 population of 120 individuals derived from ‘Chinese Spring’ (CS) and the CS–T. dicoccoides chromosome 1B disomic substitution line was used to map 54 markers consisting of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), simple sequence repeats, and bin mapped expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Colinearity between wheat 1BS and rice was determined by aligning EST and RFLP probe sequences to the rice genome. Overall, colinearity was poorly conserved due to numerous complex chromosomal rearrangements, and of 48 wheat EST-RFLP sequences mapped, 30 had signifi cant similarity to sequences on nine different rice chromosomes. However, 12 of the wheat sequences had similarity to sequences on rice chromosome 5 and were in a colinear arrangement with only a few exceptions, including an inversion of the markers fl anking Snn1. High-resolution mapping of the Snn1 locus in 8510 gametes delineated the gene to a 0.46-cM interval. Two EST-derived markers that cosegregated with Snn1 were found to share homology to nucleotide binding site–leucine rich repeat–like genes and are considered potential candidates for Snn1.
Cryoanalgesic ablation for the treatment of chronic postherniorrhaphy neuropathic pain.

Background: Chronic postoperative pain has been reported in as many as 62.9% of patients after inguinal herniorrhaphy. Moderate to severe neuropathic pain requiring intervention develops in 2.2% to 11.9% of patients as a result of ileoinguinal and genitofemoral nerve entrapment. Cryoanalgesic ablation has been successful in treating chronic pain from craniofacial neuralgia, facet joint syndrome, and malignant pain syndromes. We report our experience using cryoanalgesic ablation for chronic ileoinguinal and genitofemoral neuralgia after inguinal herniorrhaphy. Methods: Ten patients with ileoinguinal, genitofemoral, or combined neuralgia underwent 12 cryoanalgesic ablations between April 1996 and June 2001. These patients were referred from a multidisciplinary pain clinic, and focused low-volume nerve blocks were used to map nerve involvement preoperatively. After surgical exposure, nerves and surrounding tissues were cooled to ?70°C for 3 min using the Lloyd Neurostat. Patients were seen 2 weeks postoperatively and offered monthly follow-up assessments. Results: Nine men and one woman, ages 20 to 54 (mean, 42.6 years) were treated during 58 months, with a mean follow-up period of 8.2 months, for ileoinguinal (n = 4), genitofemoral (n = 1), and combined (n = 5) neuralgia. Patients reported one to five prior herniorrhaphies (mean, 1.8), experienced neuropathic pain 0 to 14 years (mean, 6.3 years), and underwent up to 3 (mean, 1.3) ablative pain procedures before referral. After cryotherapy, patients reported overall pain reduction of 0% to 100% (mean, 77.5%; median, 100%); 80% reported decreased analgesic use, and 90% reported increased physical capacity. Two patients underwent additional cryotherapy, one for incomplete relief and one for recurrent pain, both with 100% efficacy. Wound infection (n = 1) was the only complication. Conclusions: Cryoanalgesic ablation successfully eliminates ileoinguinal and genitofemoral neuralgia in most patients, and should be considered early in the treatment of patients with postherniorrhaphy neuropathic pain.
An Introduction to Political Philosophy

Now revised and updated and containing several entirely new chapters, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to political philosophy. It discusses historical and contemporary figures and covers a vast range of topics and debates, including immigration, war, national and global economics, the ethical and political implications of climate change, and the persistence of racial oppression and injustice. It also presents accessible, non-technical discussions of perfectionism, utilitarianism, theories of the social contract, and the Marxian tradition of social criticism. Real-life examples introduce students to ways of using philosophical reflection and debates, and open up new perspectives on politics and political issues. Throughout, this book challenges readers to think critically about political arguments and institutions that they might otherwise take for granted. It will be a vital and provocative resource for any student of philosophy or political science.
Timing of impulses from the central amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis to the brain stem.

The amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) are thought to subserve distinct functions, with the former mediating rapid fear responses to discrete sensory cues and the latter longer...
Direct in vivo monitoring of dopamine released from two striatal compartments in the rat

Microvoltammetric electrodes were used to monitor dopamine released in the caudate nucleus of the rat after electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle. The time resolution of the technique is sufficient to determine in vivo concentration changes on a time scale of seconds. Direct evidence identifying the substance released as dopamine was obtained both voltammetrically and pharmacologically. Administration of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine terminates the release of dopamine, although tissue stores of dopamine are still present. Thus there appears to be a compartment for dopamine storage that is not available for immediate release. This compartment appears to be mobilized by amfonelic acid, since administration of this agent after alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine returns the concentration of dopamine released by electrical stimulation to 75 percent of the original amount.
Rules for collaboration: institutional analysis of group membership and levels of action in watershed partnerships.

This study employs the Institutional Analysis and Development framework across three collaborative watershed partnerships with differing membership profiles (government centered, citizen centered, or mixed) to determine how rules at varying levels of action (operational rules, collective-choice rules, and constitutional rules) affect the formation and implementation of rules-in-use at different levels. Examining trends across group types at varying levels of action helps illuminate how the operational rules produced by different types of partnerships result in outputs that impact watershed management. Results show that the source of rules and their impact on subsequent levels of action vary by group type, with federal and state policies playing a larger role in government-centered and mixed-membership groups than in citizen-centered groups.
The functional assessment of maladaptive behaviors: A preliminary evaluation of binge eating and purging among women

This study applied a functional approach to the study of bingeing and purging behaviors. Based on a four-function theoretical model of bingeing and purging, it was hypothesized that these behaviors are performed because of their intrapersonally reinforcing (e.g., emotion regulation) and/or interpersonally reinforcing (e.g., help-seeking, attention-getting behavior) properties. Participants were 298 adult females who had engaged in bingeing or purging in the last 3 months and who provided data via an online survey of these behaviors. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed support for a four-function model of bingeing and purging in which people use these behaviors for intrapersonal reinforcement functions and also for interpersonal reinforcement. Understanding the functions of binge eating and purging has direct implications for assessment and treatment of these behaviors.
Research: Design of broadcast programming primitives for distributed systems

This paper discusses causal broadcast programming primitives that allow distributed applications to specify message ordering requirements. The primitives, implemented in the communication interface by a kernel, allow event-driven programming whereby application entities specify partial ordering on delivery of messages and all entities perceive the flow of logical time upon exchanging messages. Since entities see the same order on messages, they have the same view of application state at every tick in logical time. The primitives allow ordering constraints to be carried in messages in the form of predicates, and a message to be delivered at destinations after its predicates are satisfied. The approach insulates the specification from the implementation, thereby providing flexibility and uniformity in the communication structure of applications. The programming interface supports an execution model that is derived from the ISIS 'process group' style of programming, whereby application entities are organized as members of a group, and a message exchanged in the group is delivered to all members, satisfying the ordering requirements. A realization of distributed shared memory using the primitives is also given. The paper also discusses the kernel level protocol support required to implement the interface. The primitives are useful in structuring complex applications such as distributed services and replica management.
Revascularization and quality of life for patients with limb-threatening ischemia

Traditional outcomes following revascularization for chronic critical limb ischemia consider limb retention and hemodynamic results. Health-related quality of life is not measured. This study was undertaken to determine if surgery for chronic critical limb ischemia improves health-related quality of life. Forty-six patients undergoing revascularization (anklebrachial index
Pioneers in Optics: Robert Hooke

Robert Hooke was a brilliant British experimental and theoretical scientist who lived and worked in London during the seventeenth century. As a child, Hooke suffered from a devastating case of smallpox that left him physically and emotionally scarred for the rest of his life. He was born the son of a minister on July 18, 1635, at Freshwater, on the Isle of Wight. Hooke's father, John Hooke, took an active role in Robert's early education until he entered the Westminster School at the age of thirteen following his father's suicide. After graduating Westminster in 1648, Hooke first conducted an apprenticeship with artist Sir Peter Lely and then entered Oxford University where he met and studied under some of the greatest scientists in England. Hooke eventually became a paid assistant for Robert Boyle and helped develop a working air pump. He remained in Boyle's laboratory until 1662 when he was made curator of experiments for the Royal Society of London, a job that entailed demonstration of scientific equipment and experimental procedures during weekly meetings of the entire society.
Microscopic intrarenal particles after pulsatile machine preservation do not adversely affect outcomes after renal transplantation.

Abstract Introduction Our center has recently observed foreign carbohydrate-appearing particles (FP) on transplant postreperfusion biopsy specimens: (PRBx). Methods To further characterize FPs, we reviewed all renal transplant RBx (30–45 minutes) performed between September 1, 2004 and December 3, 2005. Donor, preservation, and outcome variables were collected among patients with FP. Results A total of 135 PRBx were performed (45 deceased donors [DD] and 90 live donors [LD]). Fifteen PRBx demonstrated FP. All 15 cases were DD kidneys that underwent machine perfusion (MP) on the Waters RM3 (Waters Medical Systems, Rochester, Minn, United States) with Belzer MP solution (Trans Med, Elk River, Minn, United States). Donor age was 39.8 ± 15.7 years. Terminal creatinine level was 1.45 ± 0.8 mg/dL. Two of 15 were flushed in situ with HTK solution (no starch). Cold ischemia time was 28.8 ± 9.1 hours with 14.3 ± 5.1 hours of MP. In 13 of 15 patients, perfusion parameters were excellent (flow > 100 mL; resistance Characteristics of FP Particles were 10–30 μ and globular in shape. FP were not visible on hematoxylin and eosin stain, but stained strongly periodic acid-Schiff–(PAS) positive and were refractile under polarized light. FP were seen segmentally within glomerular capillaries in all cases and in peritubular capillaries in 3. In 11 of the 15 cases with FP, focal glomerular fibrin thrombi or intracapillary neutrophil margination was seen. Ten of 15 patients with FP had a biopsy within the first week with no identifiable FP. Outcomes Recipient age was 45.3 ± 11.6 years. Eight patients (53.3%) had delayed graft function. Biopsy-proven rejection occurred in 3 patients (20%). Three-month creatinine level was 1.59 ± 0.35 mg/dL. One graft was lost to early thrombosis in a patient with a hypercoagulable state and 1 patient died of sepsis at 2 months. All remaining 13 patients are alive with excellent graft function at a median follow-up of 6.7 months (range, 3–17 months). Conclusions Microscopic intrarenal particles may be seen on DD kidney PRBx after MP. These FPs likely originate from surgical gloves. FPs are too small to be captured by standard filters but clear spontaneously and do not have deleterious effects on renal function or outcomes.
Evolutionary mechanisms of senescence

This paper reviews theories of the evolution of senescence. The population genetic basis for the decline with age in sensitivity of fitness to changes in survival and fecundity is discussed. It is shown that this creates a presure of selection that disproportionately favors performance early in life. The extent of this bias is greater when there is a high level of extrinsic mortality; this accounts for much the diversity in life-history patterns among different taxa. The implications of quantitative genetic theory for experimental tests of alternative population genetic models of senescence are discussed. In particular, the negative genetic correlations between traits predicted by the antagonistic pleiotropy model may be obscured by positive correlations that are inevitable in a multivariate system, or by the effects of variation due to deleterious mutations. The status of the genetic evidence relevant to these theories is discussed.
Effect of ultrasound on euchromatin and heterochromatin from normal and viral transformed mammalian cells.

Abstract The susceptibility of chromatin from normal and viral transformed cells to breakage by ultrasound was studied in an in vitro system in which DNA repair was reduced to a minimum. The extent of damage to heterochromatin and euchromatin was assessed by estimating the molecular weight of the DNA fragments extracted from these fractions. In both normal and transformed cells, the euchromatin fraction was more susceptible to breakage. This finding is explained on the basis of the differences in the structure of the two kinds of chromatin.
Fluctuation Does Blood Pressure Variability Matter

Effective drug treatment of hypertension for the prevention of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular disease passed its 50th anniversary 2 years ago.1 Until recently, the most consistent observation among trials had been that stroke risk was directly related to the fall in blood pressure on treatment.2 Older trials established the value of antihypertensive drug treatment and generally recruited disease-free participants at their outset. Recent trials have focused on less healthy participants. Recruitment has been extended to those with a prior stroke, recent myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, chronic renal disease (with or without diabetes mellitus), heart failure, and combined high-risk states and the elderly (old-old). The benefit of antihypertensive drug treatment is still related to the reduction in blood pressure.3 Differences between drug classes have been found in some but not all trials; the differences are generally small, even if statistically significant. Antihypertensive drug treatment is effective in reducing risk for those with a higher disease burden, but risk is never lowered to levels equal to those who have lower pressure without antihypertensive drug treatment and lack prior cardiovascular disease. The hands of the cardiovascular clock may slow, but they never stop or reverse. It is a challenge to unmask traits that might account for the limited effectiveness of antihypertensive drug treatment in its present form. Article see p 569 In a retrospective look at blood pressure patterns in several stroke trials and the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial–Blood Pressure Lowering (ASCOT BP) …
A uniformly valid asymptotic representation of normal mode multiplet spectra on a laterally heterogeneous Earth

Summary. A new asymptotic formula is obtained for the spectrum of an isolated normal mode multiplet nSl or nTl, with n≪l, on a laterally heterogeneous Earth. The principal feature of this formula is that it is uniformly valid on the Earth's surface, including near the epicentre and its antipode. The formal conditions for its validity are that |δm/m0|≪ 1 and smax≪l≪smin|δm/m0|–1, where |δm/m0| is the relative magnitude of the lateral heterogeneity, and smin and smax are the minimum and maximum significant degrees in its spherical harmonic expansion. As well as providing a basis for the geographical interpretation of near-epicentral or near-antipodal long-period recordings, the new formula also unifies the asymptotic theory and adds insight into the phenomena which govern the details of multiplet spectra in general.
The collection of pollen by bees

Bees require pollen for their reproduction and pollen comprises the basic larval food for bees. Most bees acquire pollen passively during flower visitation, but female bees may also collect pollen actively with the aid of various structural and behavioral adaptations. Most bees have evolved adaptations to concentrate pollen into discrete loads and transport pollen back to their nests. The various structural and behavioral adaptations of female bees for acquiring and transporting pollen are the basis of this review.
The characterisation of aerosol particle contamination as the result of carry-over and cross-over in enthalpy wheels

This paper provides results from a study that characterised the particle distributions found from variable contaminated airstreams in energy recovery ventilators (ERV) during two different test scenarios. The first scenario involved the measurement of the particulate concentrations during an operational situation when the pressure differential forces cross-flow leakage between the exhaust and intake streams. The second scenario involved the characterisation of aerosol particulate concentrations from the carry-over contamination when the wheel was not in operation. The findings from the study concluded that if a source of aerosol particulate matter is present in an environment utilising an ERV system, then cross-over and carry-over contamination will occur proportionally to the amount of aerosol particulate matter released into the system.
Long-term outcome and health-related quality of life after laparoscopic and open colectomy for benign disease.

Background: The benefits of laparoscopic colectomy (LC) vs open colectomy (OC) for the treatment of benign disease have not yet been clearly demonstrated with regard to long-term consequences and health-related quality of life (HRQL). The aim of this study was to compare LC and OC in terms of outcome and HRQL and to determine whether a generic nonspecific instrument for HRQL assessment is valid in postoperative follow-up. Methods: Forty-nine patients who underwent LC for elective right hemicolectomy (RH) or sigmoid resection (SR) for benign polyps or uncomplicated diverticular disease between 1992 and 2000 were evaluated and compared to 50 controls treated by OC in the same period. All patients were evaluated by postal questionnaire to determine recurrence rates and surgery-related complications. HRQL was assessed by the SF-36 Physical and Mental Component Summary Score (PCS, MCS) and by the SF-36 Health Survey, which measures eight different health-quality domains, including physical and social functioning (PF, SF), general health perception (GH), physical and emotional role limitations (RP, RE), body pain (BP), vitality (VT), and mental health (MH). Results: The LC and OC patients were similar in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, and diagnosis. There were significant differences between the two groups in resection type (26 RH:23 SR in LC vs 16 RH:34 SR in OC, p = 0.03) and length of follow-up (median, 39 and 53.5 months, respectively, p = 0.04), but neither parameter was predictive of the main SF-36 scores (PCS and MCS). There were no differences between the groups in recurrence rates (8% in LC vs 11% in OC) or surgery-related complications, including incisional hernias (16.3% in LC vs 17% in OC) and small bowel obstructions (2% in LC vs 10.4% in OC). None of the eight SF-36 Health Survey domains or the PCS or MCS scores showed significant differences between LC and OC patients in HRQL. However, occurrence of hernia after surgery was predictive of lower SF-36 scores, specifically in PF (p = 0.047), GH (p = 0.045), SF (p = 0.047), MH (p = 0.041), and MCS (p = 0.037). In addition, small bowel obstruction was significantly associated with lower scores in BP (p = 0.008), GH (p = 0.008), SF (p = 0.013), RE (p = 0.026), MH (p = 0.003), and MCS (p = 0.003). Conclusion: LC was not different from OC for selected indications that measure long-term outcome and HRQL. SF-36 appears to be an appropriate instrument to measure postoperative HRQL, showing responsiveness to changes in objective outcome measures.
Using leucine zipper to facilitate α-synuclein assembly

The accumulation of filamentous α-synuclein (α-S) is associated with Parkinson’s disease. It remains controversial as to the mode (antiparallel or parallel) of α-S self-assembly and whether an exac...
Returning to school: The challenges of the licensed practical nurse-to-registered nurse transition student

Abstract Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) play a vital role in the provision of health care but have limited career mobility. Completing the LPN-to-RN transition option provides expanded opportunities and meets the need for increased registered nurses (RN). Returning to school presents many challenges, and this study reports the issues faced by students at a mid-Atlantic community college. Identifying challenges faced by this student population can increase the faculty understanding of their unique educational needs.
Intel VoIP over WLAN architecture

The last few years have seen rapid growth in the evolution of two technologies: Voice over IP (VoIP) and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). VoIP has begun to be widely adopted in the enterprise as a PBX replacement, mainly because it allows the IT departments to manage just one (IP-based) network instead of two separate networks for voice and data. VoIP has also become popular as a lower cost replacement of PSTN service in backbone networks, access networks and for PC-to-PC calls. Wireless LANs have been around for at least a decade as well. In the recent years, the emergence of WiFi hotspots combined with the easy availability of WLAN solutions in notebooks has made wireless networking hugely popular. In this paper, we describe an architecture for VoIP deployment over WLAN that is based on Intel's WLAN product for notebook platforms. We address the issue of providing adequate QoS support for VoIP applications and controlling the number of VoIP calls in a WLAN network using admission control.
Caffeine and human cerebral blood flow: A positron emission tomography study

Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to quantify the effect of caffeine on whole brain and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in humans. A mean dose of 250 mg of caffeine produced approximately a 30% decrease in whole brain CBF; regional differences in caffeine effect were not observed. Pre-caffeine CBF strongly influenced the magnitude of the caffeine-induced decrease. Caffeine decreased paCO2 and increased systolic blood pressure significantly; the change in paCO2 did not account for the change in CBF. Smaller increases in diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine, and subjectively reported anxiety were also observed.
A knowledge based framework for selecting management science models

The authors present a knowledge-based framework for selecting management science models (solution methods) for a given problem. This framework considers the resources available to solve the problem and the context in which the problem is being solved as input parameters for model selection. Abstraction levels are presented for organizing management science models that facilitate the search process. 'Frame' is chosen as the preferred knowledge representation method. The proposed approach utilizes a number of special-purpose slots to facilitate knowledge representation and technique selection. Relevant issues for knowledge-base development are discussed. One of the major advantages of the proposed framework is that it analyzes relevant problem characteristics in the context of the information available for the problem and then tries to identify a solution model based on that information. This approach emphasizes that not only the problem description but also the resources available to solve the problem and the environment in which the problem is being solved are important for choosing an appropriate problem solver. >
Role of sonography in diagnosing and staging invasive lobular carcinoma

Purpose The goal of this study was to compare the sensitivity of sonography with that of mammography in the detection of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), to identify ILC's typical imaging characteristics, and to further show the important role of ultrasound in the staging and treatment planning of this elusive tumor. Methods We identified all patients with ILC seen at our institution from 1998 through 2001; 62 had pathologically proven pure ILC. We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the sonographic appearances in correlation with mammographic, pathologic, and clinical findings. We reviewed the results of sonographic examinations of the nodal basins and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of suspicious nodes and correlated them with initial clinical and final pathologic staging. We noted all cases of multicentricity or multifocality and analyzed the relative sensitivity of mammography and sonography according to tumor size. Results Sonography had a sensitivity of 98% versus 65% for mammography. The most common mammographic pattern was a spiculated mass or architectural distortion (39%). On sonography the most common pattern was a hypoechoic mass with (58%) or without (27%) shadowing. An infiltrative pattern was observed in 13% of the cases. Ultrasound-guided FNA confirmed disease was present in the axillary lymph nodes in 21% of the patients, and sonographic examination of the nodal basins resulted in a change of clinical staging from N0 to N1 in 75% and from N1 to N0 in 30% of the cases. Multicentricity/multifocality was identified sonographically and proved by FNA in 21% of patients. Conclusions Sonography has a much higher sensitivity than mammography in detecting ILC and therefore is an important adjunctive tool in the diagnosis of this form of cancer. Routine examination of node-bearing areas in patients with ILC proved useful in refining the disease staging. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:323–332, 2004
Beamlet migration using local cosine basis with shi fting windows

Summary For beamlet migration methods, the wave fields normally are statically and regularly windowed, and the wave field in e ach window is propagated with beamlet propagators based on local cosine basis (LCB) or Gabor-Daubechies frame (GDF), followed by local perturbations. These methods can provide pretty good imaging results when compared to traditional methods. However, with the LCB beamlet method, some artifacts are present at steeply inclined interface of l arge velocity contracts. The artifacts can be greatly reduc ed by dynamically shifting windows in the LCB beamlet method. The numerical results on 2D and 3D models will show the improvement in the imaging quality.
A fuzzy RISC processor

We describe application-specific extensions for fuzzy processing to a general purpose processor. The application-specific instruction set extensions were defined and evaluated using hardware/software codesign techniques. Based on this approach, we have extended the MIPS instruction set architecture with only a few new instructions to significantly speed up fuzzy computation with no increase of the processor cycle time and with only minor increase in chip area. The processor is implemented using a reconfigurable processor core which was designed as a starting point for application-specific processor designs to be used in embedded applications. Performance is presented for three representative applications of varying complexity.
Dealing with textureless regions and specular highlights - a progressive space carving scheme using a novel photo-consistency measure

We present two extensions to the space carving framework. The first is a progressive scheme to better reconstruct surfaces lacking sufficient textures. The second is a novel photo-consistency measure that is valid for both specular and diffuse surfaces, under unknown lighting conditions.
Identification and control experiments using neural designs

Neural designs are reported for system identification and control using static and dynamic gradient update schemes. Real-time implementation of the designs using a hardware example case system illustrates the inherent capability of neural networks to handle nonlinearities, learn, and perform control effectively for a real world system, based on minimal system information. The advantages of dynamic schemes over static ones are highlighted and a neural control design with feedforward and feedback components that facilitates incorporation of available knowledge about a system is described. >
Using Risk in Access Control for Cloud-Assisted eHealth

Cloud computing is a cutting edge technology. eHealth is one promising application of this technology. In this paper, we describe a prototype implementation of an HL7-based eHealth application on the cloud. The system is secured with a risk-aware task-based access control. We demonstrate that our access control technique is more effective for preventing unauthorized access of medical information when compared to context-aware access controls, with a small access delay of approximately one second
Diagnosis-related deterioration of lung function after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

The aim of the study was to assess lung function longitudinally after neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and to identify any effects of diagnosis and perinatal characteristics. 121 neonatal ECMO-treated children (70 with meconium aspiration syndrome, 20 congenital diaphragmatic hernia and 31 with other diagnoses) performed a total of 191 lung function measurements at 5, 8 and/or 12 yrs. We assessed dynamic and static lung volumes, reversibility of airway obstruction and diffusion capacity. Mean SDS forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) at 5 yrs before and after bronchodilation (-0.51 and 0.07) was significantly higher than at 8 (-0.79 and -0.4; p<0.04) and 12 yrs (-1.10 and -0.52; p<0.003). Mean SDS for all spirometric parameters before and after bronchodilation were significantly lower in the congenital diaphragmatic hernia group compared with the other diagnostic groups (all p ≤ 0.025). A significant volume of trapped air was observed in 86% patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 50% with meconium aspiration syndrome and 58% with other diagnoses. After bronchodilation, mean SDS FEV(1) and forced vital capacity were negatively influenced by duration of ventilation (both p<0.001) and duration of ECMO (p=0.003 and p=0.02, respectively). Long-term pulmonary sequelae after neonatal ECMO-treatment mainly occur in congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients and tend to deteriorate over time.
Light Weight MIMO Phased Arrays with Beam Steering Capabilities using RF MEMS

A conceptual design of a MIMO phased antenna array on liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is introduced. Because of the properties of the substrate, the overall design is comparably light weight and semi-flexible to previous MIMO designs. Each input output unit array is capable of steering the beam plusmn6deg in a 1-D space. This beam steer is enabled with the use of a 2-bit reconfigurable phase shifter using RF MEMS. The building blocks of a single input and output has been simulated to prove the concept. In addition, the array can be expanded to beam steer in a 2-D space for each individual unit. Overall, the entire system will be capable of having the beam steering function in multiple directions.
Abdominal CT as a predictor of outcome before attempted direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy.

Background Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) placement succeeds in 72% to 86% of attempts. Failure is most often because of inadequate transillumination or gastroduodenal obstruction. Even in failed cases, patients are exposed to the risks of anesthesia, exploratory percutaneous needle punctures, and the cost burden of suboptimal resource utilization. Hence, a preprocedure predictor of outcome would be useful. Objective To evaluate whether review of clinically available abdominal CTs can predict the outcome of subsequent DPEJ attempts. Design Retrospectively conducted blinded review of abdominal CTs performed within 30 days before attempted DPEJ. Objective anatomic features potentially pertinent to DPEJ success were scored, and a prediction of the anticipated procedural outcome was made. Setting A large tertiary referral center. Patients A total of 115 patients who underwent attempted DPEJ and who also had an abdominal CT in the preceding 30 days. Main Outcome Measurements Reviewer's overall prediction of success, 3 objective anatomic measurements. Results For the overall prediction of success, a CT performed poorly, with a sensitivity of 60%, a specificity of 53%, a positive predictive value of 71%, and a negative predictive value of 40%. Mean abdominal-wall thickness was significantly greater in the failures than the successes (27 vs 21 mm, P = .02), and just 39% of the procedures in patients with an abdominal-wall thickness >3 cm were successful. Limitations Retrospective. Conclusions Failed DPEJ attempts were associated with greater patient abdominal-wall thickness, and this should be taken into consideration before attempted DPEJ. Otherwise, review of existing abdominal CTs appears to have limited utility in predicting DPEJ outcome.
Structures of Human Exonuclease 1 DNA Complexes Suggest a Unified Mechanism for Nuclease Family

Human exonuclease 1 (hExo1) plays important roles in DNA repair and recombination processes that maintain genomic integrity. It is a member of the 5' structure-specific nuclease family of exonucleases and endonucleases that includes FEN-1, XPG, and GEN1. We present structures of hExo1 in complex with a DNA substrate, followed by mutagenesis studies, and propose a common mechanism by which this nuclease family recognizes and processes diverse DNA structures. hExo1 induces a sharp bend in the DNA at nicks or gaps. Frayed 5' ends of nicked duplexes resemble flap junctions, unifying the mechanisms of endo- and exonucleolytic processing. Conformational control of a mobile region in the catalytic site suggests a mechanism for allosteric regulation by binding to protein partners. The relative arrangement of substrate binding sites in these enzymes provides an elegant solution to a complex geometrical puzzle of substrate recognition and processing.
A study of unidirectional versus tridirectional heat flux models and the effect of particle size on heat conduction in composite solids

The effect of the assumption of unidirectional heat flux was determined for a well-known unit cell model used to predict effective thermal conductivities of particulate composites. Predictions obtained for the condition of unidirectional heat flux were compared with those obtained for the more rigorous case of tridirectional heat flux. The latter case required a digital simulation of the model to obtain three-dimensional temperature distributions. Comparisons were made for two different values of pure component thermal conductivity ratio and for a broad range of phase compositions. Results in each case suggest that the unidirectional heat flux assumption is not a serious limitation. Experimental studies were made of the effects of composition, particle size, and pure component thermal properties on the effective thermal conductivity of three different composite systems. Cylindrical samples of each system were cast from various proportions of their basic constituents. Effective thermal conductivities were calculated from effective thermal diffusivities. The latter were obtained experimentally from the thermal response of the center of each composite sample as it was cooled from room temperature to 0°C. by means of an agitated ice bath. Effective conductivities so obtained were compared with conductivities predicted by the tridirectional simulation and three previously published models. Results show that a recent model that utilizes unidirectional heat flux but permits random phase distribution provides the best predictions of the experimental data presented in this work. Results of the particle size study indicate that there is a minimum ratio of system dimension to particle dimension below which a particulate composite can no longer be considered macroscopically homogeneous and isotropic.
Channel estimation and multiuser detection for long code CDMA

In a long code CDMA system, a subspace technique is directly applied to downlink channel estimation when spatial/temporal diversity is available. Detection of the desired user is performed by typical linear techniques after the channel is estimated Since the method depends on eigenvalue decomposition on the data covariance matrix, which is typically estimated from finite data samples, the optimal solution is then perturbed. Therefore, the statistical performance of both the channel estimator and the detectors is analyzed based on a perturbation technique. It is further justified by numerical examples.
Electronic MEMS for triggered delivery

Implantable electronic devices such as pacemakers and neural implants are often used for electrical stimulation. The usage of microfabrication techniques to produce microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) has allowed engineers to address a wider range of clinical indications. A new direction in the area of MEMS technology is the goal of achieving pulsatile drug delivery. The digital capabilities of MEMS may allow greater temporal control over drug release compared to traditional polymer-based systems, while the batch-processing techniques used in the microelectronics industry can lead to greater device uniformity and reproducibility than is currently available to the pharmaceutical industry. A repertoire of structures, including microreservoirs, micropumps, valves, and sensors, is being developed that will provide a strong foundation for the design of integrated, responsive MEMS for drug delivery.
Long term effects of community-based STI screening and mass media HIV prevention messages on sexual risk behaviors of African American adolescents

We examined the long-term effects of two interventions designed to reduce sexual risk behavior among African American adolescents. African American adolescents (N = 1383, ages 14-17) were recruited from community-based organizations over a period of 16 months in two northeastern and two southeastern mid-sized U.S. cities with high rates of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Participants were screened for three STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis) and completed an audio computer-assisted attitude, intention, and behavior self-interview. Youth who tested positive for an STI (8.3%) received treatment and risk reduction counseling. In addition, television and radio HIV-prevention messages were delivered during the recruitment period and 18 months of follow-up in one randomly selected city in each region. Analyses determined effects of the media program for those receiving a positive versus negative STI test result on number of sexual partners and occurrence of unprotected sex. Adolescents who tested STI-positive reduced their number of vaginal sex partners and the probability of unprotected sex over the first 6 months. However, in the absence of the mass media program, adolescents returned to their previously high levels of sexual risk behavior after 6 months. Adolescents who tested STI-positive and received the mass media program showed more stable reductions in unprotected sex. Community-based STI treatment and counseling can achieve significant, but short-lived reductions in sexual risk behavior among STI-positive youth. A culturally sensitive mass media program has the potential to achieve more stable reductions in sexual risk behavior and can help to optimize the effects of community-based STI screening.
Adaptive gate biasing: a new solution for body-driven current mirrors

A new body-driven current mirror that utilizes an adaptive gate bias to provide accurate operation over a wide range of bias currents is presented. The proposed current mirror can operate with an input and output voltage compliance of VDSAT with no level shifting; thus it is suitable for operation at power supply voltages ≤ 1 V. Measurement results from test circuits implemented in a conventional partially depleted SOI CMOS process show that an nMOS body-driven current mirror that uses the proposed design technique operates reliably over the range 100 nA--1 mA---a four-decade current range which includes the weak, moderate, and strong inversion regions for the devices tested.
Towards quantifying droplet clustering in clouds

Droplet positions in atmospheric clouds are random but possibly correlated on some scales. This ‘clustering’ must be quantified in order to account for it in theories of cloud evolution and radiative transfer. Tools as varied as droplet concentration power spectrum, Fishing test, and fractal correlation analysis have been used to describe the small-scale nature of clouds, and it has been difficult to compare conclusions systematically. Here we show, by using the correlation-fluctuation theorem and the Wiener–Khinchin theorem, that all of these measures can be related to the pair-correlation function. It is argued that the pair-correlation function is ideal for quantifying droplet clustering because it contains no scale memory and because of its quantitative link to the Poisson process. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society