cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hysterectomy and urinary incontinence: a systematic review

Summary Background Serious complications after hysterectomy are estimated to occur in around six women per 10000 hysterectomies in the USA. We did a systematic review of evidence that hysterectomy is associated with urinary incontinence. Methods We identified English-language and non-English- language articles registered on MEDLINE from January, 1966, to December, 1997, did manual review of references, and consulted specialists. We identified 45 articles reporting on the association of urinary incontinence and hysterectomy. We selected reports that presented original data on development of incontinence in women who underwent hysterectomy compared with those who did not. Results were abstracted by two independent reviewers and summarised with a random- effects model. Findings: 12 papers met our selection criteria—eight cross- sectional studies, two prospective cohort studies, one case- control study, and one randomised controlled trial. The summary estimate was consistent with increased odds for incontinence in women with hysterectomy. Because incontinence might not develop for many years after hysterectomy, we stratified the findings by age at assessment of incontinence. Among women who were 60 years or older, the summary odds ratio for urinary incontinence was increased by 60% (1·6 [95% Cl 1·4–1·8]) but odds were not increased for women younger than 60 years. Interpretation: When women are counselled about sequelae of hysterectomy, practitioners should discuss the possibility of an increased likelihood of incontinence in later life.
Application of Expectancy Theory and User Observations in Identifying Factors Which Affect Human Performance on Computer Projects

Recently research has been directed toward psychological aspects of computer users. The present research effort identified internal and external elements, from the user's perspective, that affected...
A Security Framework for SenSearch

We have described the design and a preliminary prototype implementation of a security and privacy framework for SenSearch, which is a search and rescue system for locating people in emergency situation in wilderness areas. Security and privacy is extremely important in such systems, because they collect location and movement information about a person. Our framework carefully employs both symmetric and asymmetric key cryptography. Preliminary performance measurements show that our framework is feasible and provides the required support for security and privacy.
Information seeking for object identification

Abstract In two experiments subjects learned to assign each of 100 cards to one of six alternative classes on the basis of four binary cue dimensions. Then they estimated the proportion of cards in each class and the relative frequency of each cue value. The extreme accuracy of the estimates showed that the frequency structure of the deck had been learned. Then, individual cards were selected and the subjects attempted to identify the card's classes by asking as few questions as possible about its cues. Optimal information seeking was prescribed by the Shannon-Fano encoding theory which takes the frequentistic structure of the deck in account. Individual subject's information seeking strategy was represented by a decision tree. The optimality of each tree was evaluated in terms of the Shannon-Fano theory. In the first experiment, subjects were merely requested to ask as few questions as possible. In the second experiment, cost for information and penalty for wrong identification were imposed. In both experiments all subjects used highly efficient trees, most of which corresponded to the optimal decision rule. Cost and penalty had only a minor effect.
Efficient light-trapping nanostructures in thin silicon solar cells

We examine light-trapping in thin crystalline silicon periodic nanostructures for solar cell applications. Using group theory, we show that light-trapping can be improved over a broad band when structural mirror symmetry is broken. This finding allows us to obtain surface nanostructures with an absorptance exceeding the Lambertian limit over a broad band at normal incidence. Further, we demonstrate that the absorptance of nanorod arrays with symmetry breaking not only exceeds the Lambertian limit over a range of spectrum but also closely follows the limit over the entire spectrum of interest for isotropic incident radiation. These effects correspond to a reduction in silicon mass by two orders of magnitude, pointing to the promising future of thin crystalline silicon solar cells.
Broad area optical debris impact sensor

Fiber optic sensors offer many advantages over electrical sensors for use in harsh environments. One advantage over distributed electrical sensors is the elimination of the need to route electrical power and wiring to the sensors, which, in general, improves safety and reduces power consumption. Another advantage is that the optical sensors are immune to electromagnetic interference that may be caused by radio frequency signals used for communications. Another benefit of using an optical approach for impact detectors is the implicit immunity from false detections that may otherwise be caused by unrelated mechanical shock or vibration events. Previous studies have documented the characteristics of the Optical Debris Impact Sensor (ODIS). With the ODIS, the impacts are inferred by detecting the brief triboluminescent optical pulses generated by the abrupt charge separation within a phosphor that is caused by the particle impacts. The main limitations of the ODIS are the small detection area and the limited sensitivity. This paper describes a method for extending the ODIS to accomplish broad area detection on a surface with potentially higher sensitivity. The sensing element is comprised of a stack of planar optical waveguides with phosphor-coated strips. The geometry of the design ensures optical pulses are automatically captured by the waveguides and routed to a fiber optic cable that transports the signal to a remote high-speed photodetector. Background light levels in the vicinity of the detector are filtered out by the tailored frequency response of the photodetector.
Posted: the campaign sign landscape, race, and political participation in Mississippi

Cultural landscapes offer potential insights into cultural processes. As a cultural/political landscape element, the domestic campaign sign is linked to a variety of socio-cultural and political processes. Examination of the geographical distribution of 2004 presidential election campaign signs posted throughout the town of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, illustrates that race is a factor in understanding who chooses to post signs. Historically, limitations on political participation in the South would have included use of landscape for communication, imposing a sort of metacommunicative landscape hegemony. Further, patterns of sign postings and voter turnout indicate that both activities are forms of political participation that are embraced differently by different social groups.
A prospective study of the onset of symptoms of pregnancy

The objective of this study was to provide prospectively collected data on the onset of pregnancy symptoms. Two hundred twenty-one women attempting pregnancy kept daily records of the occurrence of symptoms of pregnancy. Among 136 women delivering live infants, half began experiencing symptoms by day 36 after their last menstrual period (LMP), and 89% by the end of the eighth week. Onset of symptoms occurred later in pregnancies that went on to miscarry. Among 48 women with biochemically detected pregnancy loss before 6 weeks LMP, symptoms were substantially reduced but not entirely absent. Women who smoked tobacco or marijuana tended to have delayed onset of symptoms. Nearly 90% of women with successful pregnancies experience symptoms within 8 weeks LMP. Even pregnancies lost very early (before 6 weeks) are sometimes symptomatic. The earliest symptoms do not begin until after key stages of embryogenesis, reinforcing the need for women to initiate sound health behaviors before pregnancy is apparent. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.
Spectroscopy in the evanescent field with an analytical photon scanning tunneling microscope

Abstract Recently optical microscopic surface imaging resolution has been extended beyond the diffraction limit with near-field and evanescent-field devices. We developed an analytical photon scanning tunneling microscope (APSTM) that adds spectroscopic capabilities to one such microscope. With the APSTM we measure near-surfacestress — as well as surface topography — in ruby.
An explicit basis of lowering operators for irreducible representations of unitary groups

The representation theory of the unitary groups is of fundamental significance in many areas of physics and chemistry. In order to label states in a physical system with unitary symmetry, it is necessary to have explicit bases for the irreducible representations. One systematic way of obtaining bases is to generalize the ladder operator approach to the representations of SU(2) by using the formalism of lowering operators. Here, one identifies a basis for the algebra of all lowering operators and, for each irreducible representation, gives a prescription for choosing a subcollection of lowering operators that yields a basis upon application to the highest weight vector. Bases obtained through lowering operators are particularly convenient for computing matrix coefficients of observables as the calculations reduce to the commutation relations for the standard matrix units. The best known examples of this approach are the extremal projector construction of the Gelfand–Zetlin basis and the crystal (or canonical) bases of Kashiwara and Lusztig. In this paper, we describe another simple method of obtaining bases for the irreducible representations via lowering operators. These bases do not have the algebraic canonicity of the Gelfand–Zetlin and crystal bases, but the combinatorics involved are much more straightforward, making the bases particularly suited for physical applications. Keywords: unitary group, special unitary group, irreducible representations, lowering operators, spin-free quantum chemistry, many-body problem
HLA Class I Supertypes in Type 1 Diabetic Children in an Urban Children’s Hospital

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder characterized by progressive destruction of insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas, in which CD8(+) T cells play a critical role. The diversity in the HLA alleles expressed among various racial and ethnic groups leads to great variability in antigen presentation and recognition by CD8(+) T cells in the context of MHC class I molecules. To date, studies aimed at identifying disease-relevant antigenic epitopes have focused on using mice transgenic for HLA-A*0201, a common allele, particularly among Caucasians. We present HLA class I typing data from 88 children with type 1 diabetes at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, where the patient population is ethnically diverse, but largely minority. When categorized into the HLA supertypes A2, A3, B7, and C1, 77% of those studied have alleles belonging to at least one supertype, and of these patients, 65% do not belong to the A2 supertype, which is the supertype represented by the HLA-A*0201 allele. These results support the need for studies using HLA transgenic mice expressing MHC molecules representative of a variety of HLA supertypes, particularly when searching for antigenic epitopes applicable for study among largely urban, minority pediatric populations.
Multipole analysis of unidirectional light scattering from plasmonic dimers

We analyze unidirectional scattering produced by sub-wavelength plasmonic dimers formed by two silver strips separated by a thin dielectric spacer and embedded in a uniform dielectric medium. Achieving the Kerker condition, which requires matching the strengths of the electric and magnetic-type contributions of the same multipolar order, is possible with such structures for both forward and backward unidirectional scattering by matching the geometric shape-leveraged resonant magnetic dipolar response with the off-resonant electric dipolar contribution. However, unidirectionality is strongly affected by coupling between the two elements in the dimer structure, leading to the manifestation of the electric quadrupole response in the far field. We develop an approach allowing for an easy inverse scattering retrieval of various multipole contributions to the far-field pattern produced by this type of geometry. The retrieval shows unambiguously that the electric quadrupole response contributes up to 30% of the scattered far-field intensity, in addition to strong manifestation of both electric and magnetic dipolar modes. A modified condition for unidirectionality can be developed based on the principle that suppression of radiation in either the forward or backward direction can be achieved whenever the combined strength of multipolar modes of a certain parity, radiating along the propagation direction, matches that of an opposite parity, and noting that parities of electric and magnetic modes interchange with increasing multipole order. With this condition satisfied, unidirectionality of 26 dB/17 dB for forward/backward scattering, respectively, can be achieved with dimer geometries. We also perform a detailed quantitative analysis of scattering cross sections of dimer structures compared to those of Si and gold spheres, accounting for the actual material losses. We show that dimer structures allow for improving backscattering unidirectionality by 10 dB compared to what is achievable with Si spheres, owing to their reliance on off-resonant electric dipolar response; they also allow for a significant (below ) reduction of the size of a unidirectionally scattering nanoelement.
Proximity effects in superconductor/insulating-ferromagnet NbN/GdN multilayers.

Superconductor/insulating-ferromagnet NbN/GdN multilayers reveal that the superconducting properties of the NbN layers are dominated by the insulating nature of the GdN layers, which curtail the pair-breaking effect despite the strong ferromagnetism. The effects of ferromagnetic walls on superconducting slabs have been captured. Very large parallel critical fields have also been observed.
Frederic Jameson et la dialectique de l’affect

Les ecrits de Deleuze, et en particulier ceux faits en collaboration avec Felix Guattari, ont genere une plethore de critiques et d’analyses en theorie culturelle, sociale et politique. Deux mouvances conceptuelles en particulier, caracteristiques du tournant culturel, constituent l’interet central de cet article; soit la mobilisation et la place preponderante du concept de l’affect, ainsi que la critique severe, voire meme l’abandon du concept de mediation. D’une part, ces deux mouvances sont souvent representees comme etant deux dimensions d’un meme processus analytique. D’autre part, elles sont souvent comprises comme une relation de cause a effet dans le recit historique du capitalisme tardif. L’affect emerge en tant que mecanisme important de l’organisation du social, du tournant culturel recent — qui sera appele ici postinterpretatif— parce que le processus de mediation est devenu redondant et n’est plus considere comme une avenue pour comprendre la formation sociale du capitalisme tardif. Cela n’est pourtant pas le resultat d’une sequence chronologique. En effet, cette sequence pourrait etre renversee et decrire un moment ou la mediation devient redondante du fait que l’affect devient un mecanisme important de l’organisation du social. L’article montre que cette relation de cause a effet entre l’affect et la mediation peut etre consideree comme une relation dialectique et que l’affect et la mediation ne sont pas opposes, mais doivent plutot etre compris comme deux effets interrelies d’un meme processus historique. Ces demonstrations analytiques, du moins dans la facon dont elles sont presentees et articulees dans les ecrits de Fredric Jameson, sont compatibles avec une approche postinterpretative en theorie culturelle.
Selective rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition of titanium silicide on arsenic implanted silicon

This work explores the effects of arsenic on rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition (RTCVD) of TiSi2. The films were deposited using TiCI4 and SiH4 on 100 mm oxide patterned silicon wafers selectively at temperatures ranging from 750°C to 850°C. Arsenic dose levels ranging from 3×1014 cm−2 to 5*times;1015 cm−2 at 50 keV were considered. Experimental results reveal that arsenic results in a resistance to TiSi2 nucleation and enhanced silicon substrate consumption. These effects are enhanced at higher arsenic dose levels and reduced at higher deposition temperatures. We propose an arsenic-surfacepassivation model to explain the effects.
The role of Neuregulin-1β/ErbB signaling in the heart

Products of the Neuregulin-1 (Nrg-1) gene, along with the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases through which Nrg-1 ligands signal, play a critical role during cardiovascular development. Through studies of genetically manipulated mice, as well as studies in cells isolated from adult hearts, it appears that Nrg-1/ErbB signaling is an essential paracrine mediator of cell-cell interactions that not only regulates tissue organization during development, but also helps to maintain cardiac function throughout an organism's life. Studies in cells isolated from the heart demonstrate that Nrg-1 can activate a number of signaling pathways, which mediate cellular adaptations to stress in the myocardium. These observations provide insight as to why ErbB2-targeted cancer treatments have deleterious effects on cardiac function in some cancer patients. Moreover emerging data suggest that Nrg-1 ligands might be useful clinically to restore cardiac function after cardiac injury. In this review we will attempt to synthesize the literature behind this rapidly growing and exciting area of research.
Modeling of extrusion coating for applications in electronics manufacturing

— This paper focuses on the development of a model of the extrusion coating process that can be used to generate an automated (as opposed to manual) procedure for determining the control setpoints for a desired deposition thickness and range of deposition materials. This model includes the dynamics of the bead formation process and the bead variation during the coating. The “bead” refers to the deposition material that collects in front and under the die head as the substrate is moved beneath it. Understanding and modeling the dynamics of the bead process as a function of the control-variable settings is crucial in obtaining an automated procedure for setpoint determination in extrusion coating.
Real time micro/nano particle detection and tracking with nanosecond resolution

Real-time optical imaging and tracking of particles in a complex environment to understand coordinated events has attracted researchers from various areas such as biomechanics. Here, we report a way for real time detection and tracking of micron size particles in time-space-wavelength mapping technology by using a single detector. Experimentally, we demonstrate real time tracking of micron size glass particles with 50ns temporal resolution and <3μm spatial resolution. Submicron resolution and faster temporal resolution are achievable with further optimization. The proposed technique utilizes the timewavelength technology, which has been proven to be very effective in real time digitization of ultra fast RF signals, and arbitrary waveform generation by random objects. In this work we use a broad band continuum source generated by a 20MHz fiber laser to emit 50nm short pulses at 1550nm. Following a dispersive time wavelength mapping in a chirped fiber grating and space-time-wavelength mapping through a diffraction grating with 600lines/mm, we generate an elliptical beam where each wavelength component corresponds to different time and position in space. Then the generated beam is focused on an image plane by using 20X-40X microscope objectives. The presence of particles on the image plane induces amplitude modulation on each pulse which is captured in real time by a high speed digitizing oscilloscope with 20GS/s sampling rate. The trajectory of the particle is extracted from the dynamic amplitude modulation in a post processing. The same system has also been utilized for imaging of particles by using one dimensional scanning.
A decline in Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis

During the past 50 years, there has been an unexplained fourfold increase in admissions for Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and an equally striking decline that cannot be attributed entirely to immunization.
Impact of Chemotherapy on Normal Tissue Complication Probability Models of Acute Hematologic Toxicity in Patients Receiving Pelvic Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Purpose To determine how chemotherapy agents affect radiation dose parameters that correlate with acute hematologic toxicity (HT) in patients treated with pelvic intensity modulated radiation therapy (P-IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy. Methods and Materials We assessed HT in 141 patients who received P-IMRT for anal, gynecologic, rectal, or prostate cancers, 95 of whom received concurrent chemotherapy. Patients were separated into 4 groups: mitomycin (MMC) + 5-fluorouracil (5FU, 37 of 141), platinum ± 5FU (Cis, 32 of 141), 5FU (26 of 141), and P-IMRT alone (46 of 141). The pelvic bone was contoured as a surrogate for pelvic bone marrow (PBM) and divided into subsites: ilium, lower pelvis, and lumbosacral spine (LSS). The volumes of each region receiving 5-40 Gy were calculated. The endpoint for HT was grade ≥3 (HT3+) leukopenia, neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Normal tissue complication probability was calculated using the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman model. Logistic regression was used to analyze association between HT3+ and dosimetric parameters. Results Twenty-six patients experienced HT3+: 10 of 37 (27%) MMC, 14 of 32 (44%) Cis, 2 of 26 (8%) 5FU, and 0 of 46 P-IMRT. PBM dosimetric parameters were correlated with HT3+ in the MMC group but not in the Cis group. LSS dosimetric parameters were well correlated with HT3+ in both the MMC and Cis groups. Constrained optimization (0 m = 0.11, TD 50 = 31 Gy for LSS in the MMC group and n =1, m = 0.27, TD 50 = 35 Gy for LSS in the Cis group. Conclusions The incidence of HT3+ depends on type of chemotherapy received. Patients receiving P-IMRT ± 5FU have better bone marrow tolerance than those receiving irradiation concurrent with either Cis or MMC. Treatment with MMC has a lower TD 50 and more steeply rising normal tissue complication probability curve compared with treatment with Cis. Dose tolerance of PBM and the LSS subsite may be lower for patients treated with MMC compared with Cis.
Prospects for laser remote sensing of Cn2

There is currently no active, single-ended optical technique for remotely sensing the refractive index structure characteristic Cn2 in the turbulent atmosphere. A capability to remotely measure Cn2 is needed in several areas. In astronomy, the vertical profile Cn2(h) is required in order to understand and improve the performance of adaptive optics systems, and measurements of Cn2 in arbitrary directions above fixed points on the ground would be useful in site surveys. Researchers in basic atmospheric physics need an optical technique because it would be sensitive to temperature fluctuations only and not water vapor fluctuations, unlike the radar and acoustic sounders which are currently used. Understanding laser beam degradation, for communications, power beaming, or weapon system development, also requires a knowledge of Cn2. An optical remote sensor for Cn2 could also be used for horizontal, path-averaged measurements, to infer fluxes of heat and momentum over land or sea surfaces. We have recently proposed three different lidar-type techniques for remote sensing of Cn2, based on the following phenomena: enhanced backscattering, residual turbulent scintillation, and image distortion. Each of these techniques is reviewed here in terms of its advantages and disadvantages for various applications, and some considerations for practical systems are also discussed.
Method for Quantifying Percentage Wood Failure in Block-Shear Specimens by a Laser Scanning Profilometer

A new method for quantifying percentage wood failure of an adhesively bonded block-shear specimen has been developed. This method incorporates a laser displacement gage with an automated two-axis positioning system that functions as a highly sensitive profilometer. The failed specimen is continuously scanned across its width to obtain a surface failure profile. The laser is then moved incrementally along the length of the specimen and repeatedly scanned to obtain a three-dimensional digital profile of the surface. This digital profile can then be reconstructed and analyzed with appropriate software. Special algorithms are used to quantify percentage wood failure and degree of wood failure (depth of wood failure) and to recognize various surface anomalies, such as bondline voids. This paper presents exploratory data on several different types of wood failures and correlates these measurements to the visual inspections of skilled evaluators. The device is very sensitive to most observed failures, particularly those with deep wood failure. However, shallow failures close to the bondline can be problematic. The algorithms allow a “roughness” tolerance to be specified to characterize these surfaces. This new method will be useful for automating measurement of wood failure in block-shear specimens with good precision and repeatability.
Overexpression of ZBP-89, a Zinc Finger DNA Binding Protein, in Gastric Cancer

ZBP-89 is a Kruppel-type zinc finger protein that binds to the gastrin EGF response element (gERE). Sp1 binds to the same DNA element and transactivates gastrin promoter activity, whereas ZBP-89 competes for Sp1 binding and prevents EGF induction. Both transcription factors mediate growth factor signals originating from the EGF receptor and thus were studied in normal and neoplastic tissues or cell lines. When compared to normal tissue from the same patient, ZBP-89 protein expression was increased in neoplastic tissue from the stomach antrum and in malignant cell lines. RT-PCR analysis of ZBP-89 mRNA correlated with protein overexpression. Immunocytochemical studies confirmed that ZBP-89 expression is elevated in neoplastic tissue and chronic gastritis, whereas Sp1 expression was nearly unchanged. These results suggest that the transcription factor ZBP-89, like Sp1, may be a marker for neoplastic transformation in some gastric cancers.
Relations and Meaning of the New MMPI Scales

The judgments that produced scales most plentiful in MMPI items were those concerned with dependency, masochism (getting disappointed and rejected by people), lack of confidence, guilt feeling, and general dissatisfaction, a group that has been labeled “the oral syndrome” or “disappointed dependency.” These scales are highly correlated with each other, with Welsh's A, and with uncorrected Pt. Evidence shows that scales of this group are related both to the criteria of cross-validated clinical judgments of behavior and personality processes and to the response set of readiness to give undesirable, sick-sounding answers. Consideration of the relationships between measures of guilt feeling and measures of self-control against antisocial action, as plotted in two dimensions, solves some problems posed by Mowrer. Scales of particular interest were those of repression or hysterical character; of orderliness, compulsiveness or reaction formation; of sadism or controllingness; and of concern with what people thin...
An adaptive integrated fuzzy clustering model for pattern recognition

Abstract The extension of neural net based crisp clustering algorithms to fuzzy clustering algorithms has been addressed by many researchers in recent years. However, such neuro-fuzzy clustering algorithms developed so far suffer from restrictions in identifying the actual decision boundaries among clusters with overlapping regions. These restrictions are induced by the choice of the similarity measure and representation of the clusters. An integrated adaptive fuzzy clustering (IAFC) algorithm is presented to generate improved decision boundaries by introducing a new similarity measure and by integrating the advantages of the fuzzy optimization constraint of fuzzy c-means (FCM), the control structure of adaptive resonance theory (ART-1), and a fuzzified Kohonen-type learning rule. The effect of the new similarity measure in finding nonlinear decision boundaries among closely located cluster centroids is demonstrated with computer generated data. We use the IRIS data set and a subset of the tethered satellite system simulation data set to compare the convergence rate and misclassifications resulting from IAFC algorithm with other clustering algorithms.
The MHC Reactivity of the T Cell Repertoire Prior to Positive and Negative Selection

Abstract T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) on mature T cells react with peptide antigens presented by self-MHC proteins and also frequently cross-react with foreign MHC proteins. The fundamental question whether MHC reactivity is inherent in the germline TCR sequences or is imposed by thymic selection was addressed here by inducing nonselective maturation of immature thymocytes in the absence of MHC molecules. MHC reactivity in the preselection repertoire is very high, but no higher than in the normal repertoire. Cross-reactivity of clones with multiple MHC molecules occurred to a similar extent in the preselection and MHC-selected repertoires. The results establish the MHC reactivity of the germline TCR repertoire, indicate the minimum fraction of immature thymocytes that must undergo negative selection, and suggest that some TCR–MHC contacts may be conserved.
Splenic Growth Rates in Cirrhotic and other Splenomegalic Diseases of Childhood

The weights of the spleens of series of patients with various disorders of children dating from birth or early infancy and causing splenomegaly, with or without cirrhosis of the liver, were analyzed. The linear regression equation for spleen weight versus age in months for each disease was derived, and the rate constants from these equations were adjusted for the age range of the patients in each group. The original data of Coppoletta and Wolbach were used for normal values. The rates of splenic growth of appropriate entities for which the regression equation could be computed fell into three groups, with adjusted rate constants (growth of spleen in grams per month) of 6.53-6.95 (biliary atresia, thalassemia, and cirrhosis following neonatal hepatitis), 2.30-2.62 (cirrhosis of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, infantile polycystic disease, and spherocytosis), and 1.06-1.11 (cystic fibrosis and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura). These classes of splenic growth rates are approximately 10, 3.7, and 1.6 times the normal growth rate (0.67 g/mo). Rate constants could not be computed for the categories cirrhosis following viral hepatitis and hemolytic anemia other than spherocytosis and sickle cell anemia, and the numbers of patients with splenic vein obstruction, cirrhosis with the cholestatic syndrome of parenteral alimentation, hypoplastic anemia with hemosiderosis, tyrosinemia, Byler's disease, congenital hepatic fibrosis, and Wilson's disease were too few for analysis. The significance of the finding of classes or "quantum groups" of splenic growth rates in disorders of children, dating from birth or early infancy and causing splenomegaly, is uncertain. Comparable data on adequate series of patients with other appropriate disorders will be necessary.
The Treatment of Standard Cost Overhead Variances in the Accounting Classroom

(1987). The Treatment of Standard Cost Overhead Variances in the Accounting Classroom. Journal of Education for Business: Vol. 63, No. 3, pp. 113-118.
Effectiveness and Tolerability of Istradefylline for the Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome: An Exploratory Study in Five Female Patients

Background: Studies of istradefylline (KW6002), an adenosine A2A-receptor antagonist, have provided evidence of its efficacy as a nondopaminergic antiparkinsonian drug. Antiparkinsonian drugs have also had efficacy in treating restless legs syndrome (RLS). Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of istradefylline in the treatment of RLS. Methods: This was a single-center, multiparametric, prospective trial of istradefylline as a treatment for moderate to severe idiopathic RLS. It was conducted at the Shands/Jacksonville Sleep Disorders Center, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, from March 2003 to October 2003. Patients received a single PO 80-mg dose QD of istradefylline in the late afternoon or early evening for 6 weeks. Appropriate tolerability evaluations (ie, vital assessments, physical examination, clinical laboratory tests, and electrocardiogram) were performed at screening, while on study drug, and after withdrawal of study drug. Results: Fifteen participants (mean [SD] age, 61 [7.1] years; range, 50-69 years) were screened for enrollment. The mean duration of RLS was 18 years. Of the 15 potential patients, 6 did not meet entry criteria, 2 withdrew consent, 1 had not completed baseline procedures at the time of study suspension, and 1 was excluded for administrative reasons. Therefore, a total of 5 patients received the study drug. Of these, 3 (60%) patients responded favorably to istradefylline treatment. Improvement in the periodic limb movement index was observed in 3 patients compared with baseline (patients 2, 4, and 5 [index score: 6, 4, 9 vs 50, 35, 18, respectively]). Improvement in the International RLS Rating Scale scores was observed in 3 patients compared with baseline (patients 2, 4, and 5 [index score: 7, 23, 9 vs 35, 25, 20, respectively]). There was a return to baseline severity in 2 of the 3 patients after withdrawal of study drug. Improvement in RLS symptoms was observed in 3 patients treated with istradefylline for 6 weeks. A clinical worsening of baseline insomnia was observed in 2 patients. Conclusions: Although we could not definitively conclude a beneficial effect based on this small exploratory trial, we found the data to be encouraging. The study drug was well tolerated. Further study of this compound in the treatment of RLS is justified.
Correlation between Cerebral Blood Flow and ATP Content following Tourniquet-Induced Ischemia in Cat Brain:

Cerebral ischemia was produced in anesthetized cats using a neck tourniquet, which diminished cortical blood flow to less than 2 ml/100 g/min and depleted levels of ATP throughout the brain. Following a 30-min insult, cortical flow measured with H2 electrodes returned nearly to control, but subsequently decreased to 14-47% of control values. Despite this secondary hypoperfusion, ATP levels adjacent to the H2 electrode were restored to 75% of normal during the 2-h recirculation period. Therefore, this degree of hypoperfusion did not cause a secondary failure of energy metabolism. Following a 60-min insult, impaired reperfusion prevented the regeneration of brain ATP. However, preischemic bilateral craniectomies significantly improved recovery of blood flow and ATP levels following 60 min of ischemia. Therefore, in the present model, insufficient reflow is a primary factor limiting recovery of energy metabolism. Further, surgical decompression prevented the occurrence of "no reflow" caused by 60 min of ischemia.
An economic perspective on the potential gains from improvements in irrigation water management

In recent years, several researchers have introduced new terms describing irrigation efficiency to enhance the information available when evaluating water policy alternatives. Some of the definitions expand the physical boundary considered when evaluating water use, while others account for the changes in water quality that occur as drainage water is reused in an irrigated area. While the concepts of basin, global, and effective efficiency have enhanced our understanding of water use in agriculture, public officials may derive incorrect policy implications when reviewing empirical estimates of those measures, particularly if information describing the economic impacts of water use and allocation decisions is not available. For example, some authors suggest that when estimates of basin-wide efficiency approach 100%, there is little opportunity to save water by improving water management and achieving higher levels of classical, farm-level efficiencies in upstream portions of an irrigated region. However, there may be significant opportunities to increase the net values generated with limited water resources by improving the distribution of water among farmers and reducing the negative, off-farm effects of irrigation and drainage activities. Economic analysis is helpful in identifying those opportunities and in designing policies that encourage farmers and water agency personnel to improve water management practices in ways that enhance social net benefits.
CD40-Activated B Cell Cancer Vaccine Improves Second Clinical Remission and Survival in Privately Owned Dogs with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Cell-based active immunotherapy for cancer is a promising novel strategy, with the first dendritic cell (DC) vaccine achieving regulatory approval for clinical use last year. Manufacturing remains arduous, especially for DC vaccines, and the prospect of using cell-based immunotherapy in the adjuvant setting or in combination with chemotherapy remains largely untested. Here, we used a comparative oncology approach to test the safety and potential efficacy of tumor RNA-loaded, CD40-activated B cells in privately owned dogs presenting with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), a clinical scenario that represents not only a major problem in veterinary medicine but also a bona fide spontaneous animal model for the human condition. When administered to NHL dogs in remission after induction chemotherapy, CD40-B cells electroporated ex vivo with autologous tumor RNA safely stimulated immunity in vivo. Although chemotherapy plus CD40-B vaccination did not improve time-to-progression or lymphoma-specific survival compared to dogs treated with chemotherapy alone, vaccination potentiated the effects of salvage therapy and improved the rate of durable second remissions as well as subsequent lymphoma-specific survival following salvage therapy. Several of these relapsed dogs are now long-term survivors and free of disease for more than a year. Overall, these clinical and immunological results suggest that cell-based CD40 cancer vaccination is safe and synergizes with chemotherapy to improve clinical outcome in canine NHL. More broadly, our findings underscore the unique value of clinical investigations in tumor-bearing companion animals.
Enhanced understanding of infectious diseases by fusing multiple datasets: a case study on malaria in the Western Brazilian Amazon region.

Background: A common challenge to the study of several infectious diseases consists in combining limited cross-sectional survey data, collected with a more sensitive detection method, with a more extensive (but biased) syndromic sentinel surveillance data, collected with a less sensitive method. Our article describes a novel modeling framework that overcomes this challenge, resulting in enhanced understanding of malaria in the Western Brazilian Amazon. Methodology/Principal Findings: A cohort of 486 individuals was monitored using four cross-sectional surveys, where all participants were sampled regardless of symptoms (aggressive-active case detection), resulting in 1,383 microscopy and 1,400 polymerase chain reaction tests. Data on the same individuals were also obtained from the local surveillance facility (i.e., passive and active case detection), totaling 1,694 microscopy tests. Our model accommodates these multiple pathogen and case detection methods. This model is shown to outperform logistic regression in terms of interpretability of its parameters, ability to recover the true parameter values, and predictive performance. We reveal that the main infection determinant was the extent of forest, particularly during the rainy season and in close proximity to water bodies, and participation on forest activities. We find that time residing in Acrelandia (as a proxy for past malaria exposure) decreases
The Environment and International Relations: Conclusions: The environment and international relations in the twenty-first century

In December 2007, delegates from 191 countries met in Bali, Indonesia, at the Thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to draw up a road map towards a new agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol after it expires in 2012. With climate change high on national and international agendas in the months leading up to Bali, ideas and energy flowed around the shape of “Kyoto 2.0” as a potentially new model of global environmental governance. Would this be an opportunity to begin moving beyond an explicitly state-centric model of global environmental governance, and the inevitable compromises and disappointments that creating a consensus agreement among nearly 200 governments requires? Worldwide, initiatives to combat climate change and greenhouse gas emissions had proliferated and diversified. From guides to individual consumer behavior to emerging carbon markets and biofuels development to local government-led efforts to combat climate change, climate change has engaged civil society actors, entrepreneurs and investors, corporate actors, and politicians across national borders and traditional scales of governance. Although at least one critical climate laggard–Australia – ratified Kyoto in late 2007, some argued that the rigid, diplomacy-based model should be abandoned, or seriously restructured, to better fit the complexities of the problem, the diversity of viable options to address it, and the full community of stakeholders in climate debates (Prins and Rayner 2007; Amen et al . 2008).
Connecting Diversity Efforts in the Workplace with Business Mission, Goals, and Objectives.

As more attention is given to managing and valuing diversity in the United States workforce, the linking of diversity issues and practices to organizational performance needs must be addressed. In addressing the performance question, this article investigates both the difference between a quick fix and systematic action, and the distinction between a program and a process. A systematic and comprehensive process linked to organizational goals and performance is recommended. Gaps in typical programs and responses are pointed out, and some possible areas for measuring results attributable to valuing and managing diversity are suggested.
Deep‐seated solution in the Meade basin and vicinity, Kansas and Oklahoma

During the closing years of the 19th century, Haworth [see 1 and 2 of “References” at end of paper] and Johnson [3] noted the abundant depressions resembling sink-holes in the Southern High Plains, especially in Meade and Clark counties, Kansas, and Beaver County, Oklahoma. Johnson was of the opinion that all the depressions and basins in this region were due to solution, whereas Haworth [1] believed the Meade artesian basin to be structural, although he held to a solutional origin for the Ashland and Englewood basins, which are a few miles to the east.
A survey of real-time MIDI performance

Although MIDI is often used for computer-based interactive music applications, its real-time performance is rarely quantified, despite concerns about whether it is capable of adequate performance in realistic settings. We extend existing proposals for MIDI performance benchmarking so they are useful in realistic interactive scenarios, including those with heavy MIDI traffic and CPU load. We have produced a cross-platform-freely-available testing suite that is easy to use, and have used it to survey the interactive performance of several commonly-used computer/MIDI setups. We describe the suite, summarize the results of our performance survey, and detail the benefits of this testing methodology.
Cardiac Memory Evolves With Age in Association With Development of the Transient Outward Current

Background— Calcium-insensitive transient outward current (Ito) is important to the development of cardiac memory (CM), which itself reflects the capacity of the heart to remodel electrophysiologically. We used cardiac pacing to test the hypothesis that CM evolution can be explained by developmental maturation of Ito. Methods and Results— Acutely anesthetized dogs from 1 day old to adult were paced from the left ventricle (VP, n=29) or left atrial appendage (AP, n=12) to induce CM. T-wave vector displacement (TVD) obtained during VP was greater than with AP (adults, 0.39±0.06 mV; neonates, 0.04±0.01 mV; P<0.05). TVD began to increase at ≈40 days of age, reaching adult levels by ≈200 days. Microelectrode studies performed in 18 dogs (ages 3 to 94 days) after completing the CM protocol and 20 additional dogs (1 day old to adult) revealed that the epicardial action potential notch was absent in neonates, became apparent in the young, and was deepest in adults. The relationship between TVD and epicardial notc...
Tropical–Extratropical Teleconnections in Boreal Summer: Observed Interannual Variability*

AbstractMaximum covariance analysis is performed on the fields of boreal summer, tropical rainfall, and Northern Hemisphere (NH) 200-hPa height for the 62-yr period of record of 1948–2009. The leading mode, which appears preferentially in summers preceding the peak phases of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, involves a circumglobal teleconnection (CGT) pattern in the NH extratropical 200-hPa height field observed in association with Indian monsoon rainfall anomalies. The second mode, which tends to occur in summers following ENSO peak phases, involves a western Pacific–North America (WPNA) teleconnection pattern in the height field observed in association with western North Pacific summer monsoon rainfall anomalies. The CGT pattern is primarily a zonally oriented wave train along the westerly waveguide, while the WPNA pattern is a wave train emanating from the western Pacific monsoon trough and following a great circle. The CGT is accompanied by a pronounced tropical–extratropical seesaw in t...
Domain reversal in single crystal strontium barium niobate (Sr/sub 0.61/Ba/sub 0.39/Nb/sub 2/O/sub 6/)

The first systematic domain reversal for crystal strontium barium niobate (Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6, SBN:61), such as coercive fields, polarization, wall mobilities are reported. Its 4-fold rotational symmetry of the domain shape is reported for the first time
Final Conversations: Helping the Living and the Dying Talk to Each Other

Numerous authors writing from many perspectives have observed that we live in a profoundly death-avoidant culture. Paradoxically, our increasing motivation and ability to control many aspects of il...
Learning Non-linear Calibration for Score Fusion with Applications to Image and Video Classification

Image and video classification is a challenging task, particularly for complex real-world data. Recent work indicates that using multiple features can improve classification significantly, and that score fusion is effective. In this work, we propose a robust score fusion approach which learns non-linear score calibrations for multiple base classifier scores. Through calibration, original base classifiers scores are adjusted to reflect their true intrinsic accuracy and confidence, relative to the other base classifiers, in such a way that calibrated scores can be simply added to yield accurate fusion results. Our approach provides a unified approach to jointly solve score normalization and fusion classifier learning. The learning problem is solved within a max-margin framework to globally optimize performance metric on the training set. Experiments demonstrate the strength and robustness of the proposed method.
A Student Activity that Simulates Evolution

We describe an activity that uses cards to simulate evolution. The mechanism of the evolutionary pressure in the simulation is clearly indicated for the students. This simulation is useful for allowing student experimentation by varying conditions.