cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GRUBER: a grid resource usage SLA broker

Resource sharing within grid collaborations usually implies specific sharing mechanisms at participating sites. Challenging policy issues can arise in such scenarios that integrate participants and resources spanning multiple physical institutions. Resource owners may wish to grant to one or more virtual organizations (VOs) the right to use certain resources subject to local usage policies and service level agreements, and each VO may then wish to use those resources subject to its usage policies. This paper describes GRUBER, an architecture and toolkit for resource usage service level agreement (SLA) specification and enforcement in a grid environment, and a series of experiments on a real grid, Grid3. The proposed mechanism allows resources at individual sites to be shared among multiple user communities.
Evaluation of Cryogenic Impact Grinding Technique for Powdering Whole Fish for Metal Determinations

A cryogenic grinding technique, which involves brittle fracture of samples by impact pressure, was evaluated for the final reduction of whole-fish samples for subsequent metal determinations. The technique incorporated a number of desirable features: protection of heat-labile components; incorporation of lyophilization to facilitate handling and storage; requirement of few procedural steps; short grinding time per sample; and easy, rapid cleanup of equipment. Particle size in the ground powder was less than 100 microns. Problems associated with the technique were contamination of fish samples with Cr, Fe, Mo, and Ni; limited size of the grinding container; and powder clumping caused by the presence of lipids. Approaches to alleviate these problems are discussed.
On the Design, Development, Deployment, and Network Survivability Analysis of the Dynamic Routing System Protocol

With the ever-increasing demands on server applications, reliability is of paramount importance. Often these services are implemented using a distributed server cluster architecture where many servers act together providing end user services. We evaluated one hundred deployed systems and found that over a one-year period, thirteen percent of the hardware failures were network related. To reliably provide end-user services, the server clusters must guarantee server-to-server communication in the presence of these network failures. We describe a protocol designed to provide proactive dynamic routing for server clusters architectures called the Dynamic Routing System (DRS) protocol and present analysis to its survivability in the presence of network failure. Our experiments show that, for an eight-node server cluster with three concurrent network failures, the DRS provides a 267% improvement in the probability of server to server communication over a traditional network topology. Additionally, the proactive routing approach of the DRS performs better than traditional routing systems by fixing network problems before they affect application communication.
Avoidant Personality Disorder

Avoidant personality disorder (APD) is characterized by severe and chronic social anxiety. Prospective studies demonstrate modest symptomatic stability and chronic functional impairment. Current diagnostic conceptualizations distinguish APD from other distress disorders, such as anxiety and depression, by a long-standing pattern of social avoidance accompanied by fears of criticism and low self-worth so pervasive that it defines who a person is. New proposals to refine the diagnosis include the addition of trait components focusing on negative emotionality, introversion, anhedonia, and compulsive risk aversion to better distinguish APD from other anxiety-related disorders. APD is a useful diagnostic construct that captures an entrenched manifestation of social anxiety driven by feelings of low self-worth and the expectation of rejection.
College students’ knowledge of risk and screening recommendations for breast, cervical, and testicular cancers

Abstract Background. There is a gap in the literature regarding the knowledge of college students about breast, cervical, and testicular cancers. Methods. I surveyed 3362 college students were surveyed about their knowledge of risk factors and screening recommendations for these 3 cancers during the 2002–2003 school year at a large public university in the Northeast. Results. Students knew approximately 50% of the information about risk factors and screening recommendations for these 3 cancers. Conclusions. Based on these results, college students appear to have limited knowledge about breast, cervical, and testicular cancers and need education about them. J Cancer Educ . 2007; 22:86–90.
The composition and structure of planetary rings

The properties of planetary ring systems are summarized herein; emphasis is given to the available evidence on their compositions and to their dynamical attributes. Somewhat contaminated water ice makes up the vast expanse of Saturn’s rings. Modified methane ice may comprise Uranus’ rings while silicates are the likely material of the Jovian ring. Saturn’s rings form an elaborate system whose characteristics are still being documented and whose nature is being unravelled following the Voyager flybys. Uranus’ nine narrow bands display an intriguing dynamical structure thought to be caused by unseen shepherd satellites. Jupiter’s ring system is a mere wisp, probably derived as ejecta off hidden parent bodies.
The interaction of hydrogen with polycrystalline zirconium: I. Sticking coefficients and binding states

Abstract Values for the sticking coefficient of hydrogen on polycrystalline zirconium have been obtained using a computer-controlled flash desorption technique. Sticking coefficients exhibit a maximum of about 6.5 × 10 -4 near 700 K and fall to about 4 × 10 -5 below 350 K and above 1000 K. Such low values are surprising in view of the well-known effectiveness of zirconium as a “getter” material for hydrogen. Plots of desorption rate versus temperature show two binding states below the phase transition temperature and at least one (and possibly two) above that temperature.
A Study Of Multiple Intelligences And Higher Education Faculty In The United States

This quantitative research study discovered and identified the degree of relationships between the domains of multiple intelligences: (a) interpersonal, (b) intrapersonal, and (c) linguistic intelligences, and (d) leadership and demographic characteristics such as, (a) age, (b) gender and (c) ethnicity among higher education faculty. Using a survey instrument, primary data was collected from a sample of 205 faculty members within the United States. Furthermore, the researcher examined and analyzed certain aspects of the field of leadership, and the impact Gardner’s multiple intelligences may or may not have on leadership selection, training and development based on the results obtained. This paper provides a summary of the study and its results along with possible implications and recommendations for administrators, managers and leaders in academia.
College Counseling Today: Contemporary Students and How Counseling Centers Meet Their Needs

There is evidence that today’s college and university students are struggling with emotional and behavioral health problems at higher rates than in past generations. This article explores the various ways, utilizing a range of models, that college and university counseling centers have mobilized to respond to these challenges. We examine literature about the characteristics and concerns of the current student generation along with what counseling centers are doing to respond to the challenge of student needs. We describe a survey (N = 408) of members of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) and American College Counseling Association (ACCA) that elicited the kinds of services, functions, structures, and organizational relationships found in today’s counseling centers. In addition to confirming the core mission of providing counseling and psychotherapy, the survey revealed widespread counseling center collaboration and consultation activities beyond the counseling ...
Culture Shift and Popular Protest in South Korea

Dramatic changes have taken place in sociopolitical value orientations in South Korea throughout the post-World War II period, primarily as a function of intergenerational change and rising levels of education. This article, by using the 1982 Korea Gallup Poll survey and the value change thesis, investigates the distribution of a number of fundamental social values and analyzes the extent to which these social values are persisting and/or changing and how they are related to South Koreans' political orientations, particularly protest potential. Also introduced and analyzed are two major types of Korean values prevalent in contemporary Korea: authoritarianism-libertarianism, and traditional versus modern morality. It is found that value change plays an important role in enhancing the potential for involvement in protest activities in South Korea.
Real-time data reassurance in electrical power systems based on artificial neural networks

Abstract Power system security is vulnerable to cyber attacks that may cause significant damages to the power grid and result in huge financial losses. In this paper, we show the risks associated with cyber attacks and propose an artificial neural network-based protection approach. The proposed algorithm can monitor the output of power flow calculations and detect data anomalies in real-time. The network observability rules are formulated as a mixed integer linear program (MILP) problem. The results of the MILP problem are used to decrease the amount of data input required by the algorithm while the system stays observable. We run our experiments on the IEEE 24-bus reliability test system. The experimental results show that the developed algorithm is a promising enhancement to ensure data integrity in control centers.
The biology of breast carcinoma

The biology of breast carcinoma is complex, with multiple factors contributing to its development and progression. The current review focuses on the role of several critical genes including estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, retinoic acid receptor-β, epidermal growth factor receptor family members, p53, BRCA1, and BRCA2 as risk factors for the development of disease, predictors of prognosis and response to therapy, and as therapeutic targets. Studies of the biology of these and other genes that contribute to the development and progression of breast carcinoma have had and will continue to have great impact on all aspects of disease management. Cancer 2003;97(3 Suppl):825–33. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11126
Three-dimensional structure of the detergent-solubilized Vibrio cholerae cytolysin (VCC) heptamer by electron cryomicroscopy.

Vibrio cholerae cytolysin (VCC) is a pore-forming toxin that inserts a lytic water-filled channel into susceptible host membranes. Assembly of the toxin on cell surfaces may be enhanced by two tandem lectin domains, in addition to direct interactions with lipids and cholesterol within the membrane itself. We used single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) to generate a low-resolution molecular structure of the detergent-solubilized VCC oligomer to 20 A resolution. After confirming a heptameric arrangement of individual protomers, sevenfold averaging around the central pore was utilized to improve the structure. Docking of the previously determined VCC protoxin crystal structure was possible with rigid-body rearrangements between the cytolytic and lectin domains. A second cryoEM reconstruction of a truncated VCC mutant supported the topology of our model in which the carboxyl-terminal lectin domain forms “spikes” around the toxin core with the putative carbohydrate receptor-binding site accessible on the surface of the oligomer. This finding points to an assembly mechanism in which lectin domains may remain bound to receptors on the cell surface throughout assembly of the cytolytic toxin core and explains the hemagglutinating activity of purified toxin. Our model provides an insight into the structural rearrangements that accompany VCC-mediated cytolysis and may aid in the engineering of novel pore-forming toxins to attack specific cells towards therapeutic ends.
Treatment contracting in cognitive-behavior therapy *

Consistent with the goal of providing reviews of core strategies and principles used in cognitive-behavior therapy ( Albano, 2003 ), this article is devoted to a discussion of the philosophy, elements, and potential benefits of treatment contracting. Treatment contracting is discussed as a way of formalizing the goals, responsibilities, and strategies to be employed in treatment by therapists, patients, and the patient's support network. In particular, we discuss the potential value of contracts for enhancing motivation and eliciting adaptive behaviors from patients, particularly at moments of high stress or high risk when these behaviors are most needed. In addition, we comment on how contracts can serve as an agreement of advocacy for patients who may fail to take appropriate action for themselves during acute distress. We provide an example of a treatment contract for use with adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This contract most directly focuses on enhancing motivation for treatment and engendering self-care, and is embedded in the context of an informational worksheet detailing common patterns in PTSD.
Nickel Orthouronate: High-Pressure Synthesis

The compound NiUO4 has been synthesized at high pressure and temperature. No material of this composition is known to be synthesized at ambient pressure. The NiUO4 structure is of the orthorhombic body centered MgUO4 type; cell dimensions: a1, 6.415 A; a2 6.435 A; and a3, 6.835 A
Measurement of the midpoint potential of the pheophytin acceptor of photosystem II

Primary photochemistry in photosystem II (PSII) involves at least three components: (1) P680, the primary electron donor [ 11, which has been reported to be a chlorophyll dimer [2,3] or trimer [3] although recent evidence favors its identification as a monomeric chlorophyll species [4,5]; (2) Q, a special plastoquinone [6], which functions as a relatively stable acceptor (200-600 ps at room temperature when secondary electron transport is not blocked [7]); (3) Ph, a pheophytin molecule which functions as an intermediate electron carrier between P680 and Q. The involvement of pheophytin as an electron acceptor in PSI1 was initially demonstrated in [8-lo]. Reversible photo-reduction of pheophytin in PSI1 was observed when Q was chemically reduced. At the same time an unsplit EPR radical signal attributed to Phwas reported [lo]. Later it was shown that a split EPR signal could be photo-induced under some circumstances and this was attributed to the reduced Ph which was involved in an interaction with the semiquinone-iron form of Q [ 1 l] by analogy to the situation in photosynthetic bacteria [ 121. Similar EPR [S] and optical spectra at 200 K [ 131 were observed in a different PSI1 reaction center preparation. These spectra were also attributed to a pheophytin anion. Recent ENDOR measurements are consistent with the identification of the reduced intermediate acceptor in PSI1 as a pheophytin anion [ 141. Also a picosecond time-resolved optical spectrum of Phhas been reported in PSI1 particles in PSI1 particles in which Q is chemically reduced [ 1 s]. Strong evidence for the presence of an intermediate acceptor between P680 and Q has also come from the discovery of a reaction center triplet state in PSI1
Cumulative impacts on wetlands: Linking scientific assessments and regulatory alternatives

This article is an extension and application of Preston and Bedford (1988), especially as relevant to bottomland hardwood (BLH) forests of the southeastern United States. The most important cumulative effects in BLH forests result from incremental forest loss (nibbling) and from synergisms resulting from this nibbling. Present regulatory procedures are ineffective in preventing incremental forest loss because of the focus on permit site evaluation, rather than on large landscapes. Three examples are given to illustrate the need for a landscape focus. This perspective requires preplanning or goal-setting to establish the desired conditions to be maintained in the regulated landscape unit. Spatial and temporal scales are of particular concern for landscape impact assessment. Natural drainage basins of about 106 ha, as identified in U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic units, appear to appropriate spatial units: they have fairly natural boundaries, are of sufficient size to support populations of large, wide-ranging mammals, and are compatible with existing maps and databases. Time scales should be sufficiently long to include recovery of wetland ecosystems from human perturbations. In practice, available data sets limit analysis to no longer than 50 yr. Eight indicators of landscape integrity are identified, based on generally available long-term data sets. Linking technical information concerning cumulativeeffects on landscapes to the evaluation of cumulativeimpacts in regulatory programs (i.e., goal-setting) is a serious issue that can benefit from precedents found in the field of epidemiology, and in the establishment of clean air and clean water standards. We suggest that reference data sets must be developed, relating BLH function to structure (forest area). These can be used to set goals for individual watersheds, based on their present conditions and the magnitude and type of perceived development pressures. Thus the crucial steps in establishing a successful program appear to be (1) establish study unit boundaries, (2) assess the condition of study unit landscape integrity, (3) set goals, and (4) consider the impacts of permit proposals with both goals and the existing condition of the study unit landscape in mind.
Delivery of tumor suppressor genes to reverse the malignant phenotype

Despite early enthusiasm and excitement, the treatment of cancer via gene therapy is a long way from reaching fruition. The objective of this review is to describe the rationale as to why the delivery of genes encoding functional proteins whose activity has been lost during the initiation and development of cancer may be a feasible therapeutic option. In addition we will evaluate the limitations of the current delivery systems and discuss how these limitations have impacted upon the progress of gene therapy. Finally, we will describe and discuss the most recent attempts to deliver tumor suppressor genes to rodent models of human cancer and perhaps more importantly to human patients. As will become apparent during this review the excitement and enthusiasm for gene therapy remains high, however, this should not diminish the challenges that must be overcome before gene therapy becomes routine.
Surface dependent antigens identified by high binding avidity of serum antibodies in a subpopulation of patients with breast prostheses

There is growing concern in the medical community that silicones, ubiquitous in health care, may exhibit antigenic, immunogenic, and/or adjuvant activity. Sera from women with silicone breast prostheses were assayed by ELISA for humoral immunoreactivity to a variety of common interstitial and cellular components. In decreasing order of frequency, significant IgG avidities were found against silicone surfaces treated with fibronectin–laminin, phospholipids, no treatment, and fibrinogen when compared with sera obtained from healthy, age-matched, nonimplanted women and a population of nonimplanted women with previously diagnosed autoimmune diseases. Moreover, the sera from approximately 15% of the positive responders were found to react to matrix proteins independent of the siloxane polymer. The data show human antibody production to native macromolecules with antibody avidity being related to molecular conformation. Silicone may function as an adjuvant by inducing changes in the conformation of native molecules. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A genetic bottleneck in the 'evolution under domestication' of upland cotton Gossypium hirsutum L. examined using DNA fingerprinting

Reliable information about the evolutionary and genetic relationships of various germplasm resources is essential to the establishment of rational strategies for crop improvement. We used AFLPs to study the genetic relationships of 43 cultivars of Gossypium hirsutum representative of the genomic composition of modern ’Upland’ cotton. The study also included representatives of the related tetraploid species Gossypium barbadense, as well as the diploid species Gossypium raimondii, Gossypium incanum, Gossypium herbaceum and Gossypium arboreum. We tested 20 primer combinations that resulted in a total of 3,178 fragments. At the species level, and above, genetic similarities based on AFLPs were in agreement with the known taxonomic relationships. Similarity indices ranged from 0.25 to 0.99. Representatives of the G. hirsutum germplasm resources utilized in North America, including secondary accessions collected by breeders in Central America (’Acala’, ’Tuxtla’, ’Kekchi’) and the southwestern US (’Hopi Moencopi’), formed a single cluster with exceedingly limited genetic diversity (with many pairwise similarity indices >0.96) We concluded that these accessions were derived from the same genetic pool. The early maturing or ’latifolium’ or ’Mexican Highlands’ cultigens from which these cultivars were derived appear to have had extremely limited genetic diversity, perhaps as a result of a severe genetic bottleneck resulting from the selection pressures of domestication. Outside of the major G. hirsutum cluster, well-supported phylogenies were inferred. Inside this cluster, phylogenies were obscured by limited diversity, reticulation and lineage sorting. The implications of these findings for cotton improvement are discussed.
Resonant Waveguide Grating Biosensors for Cell Biology and Drug Discovery

Label-free optical biosensors have been long used for biomolecular interaction analysis. Here I review recent advances of resonant waveguide grating biosensor systems for whole cell sensing, and their applications in cell biology and drug discovery.
Bi-instability as a precursor to global mixed-mode chaos.

Bi-instability, in contrast to bistability, is shown to generate unstable chaotic saddles prior to the onset of chaos. The theory and numerics are applied to a ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ laser model with modulated losses where unstable pairs of saddles coexist, form heteroclinic connections, and allow mixing between local chaotic attractors to produce global mixed-mode chaos.
The preoperative assessment and postoperative surveillance of patients with colon and rectal cancer

Many advances have been made in the field of colorectal cancer follow-up since the pioneering efforts of Wangensteen and others with second-look operations in the 1950s. The understanding of the biology and natural history of colorectal malignancy has been advanced. Diagnostic methods for detection of recurrent disease have also advanced tremendously with CEA monitoring, immunoscintigraphy. CT, MRI, and PET imaging. As has been discussed in this article, however, no strategy of postoperative follow-up has been shown unequivocally to produce improved survival benefit or cure rate. It is quite possible that benefit will be shown, but well-controlled trials will be required. Cost considerations will likely prove important, because the rate of detection of curable disease will likely.be low. Quality of life issues will also be important in such trials. Better treatment and outcome ol recurrent disease would provide a strong rationale for vigorous postoperative surveillance. New recommendations are currently evolving [54]. Early diagnosis seems likely to enhance the curability of both local and distant relapses and second primary tumors. Furthermore, there may be a survival and quality of life advantage that results from the early institution of chemotherapy, even for those tumors found to be inoperable [55]. In devising a plan for follow-up in patients, it is important to recognize the anatomic and temporal patterns of recurrence as well as their relationships to the initial tumor staging. Although there is little proof that the identification of recurrent disease in follow-up programs increases the likelihood of resectability, cure, or prolonged survival, many physicians have witnessed successful treatment of recurrent colorectal cancer. These anecdotal experiences, the unproven belief that follow-up is beneficial, and traditions imparted during training are among the likely motivating factors for most physicians caring for colorectal cancer patients.
Reliability assessment of the somatomorphic matrix.

Objective The appearance of muscularity is an emerging topic of research interest within the body image field. However, the most widely used measure to assess attitudes toward muscularity, the somatomorphic matrix, lacks pertinent reliability data. Method In response to this dearth of information, the current study assessed the test-retest reliability of this measure in samples of men and women. Results Surprisingly, the somatomorphic matrix demonstrated inadequate reliability for the majority of assessed rating protocols. Discussion The implications of this finding on assessment of the muscularity construct are discussed. © 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 35: 597–600, 2004.
Industry in motion: using smart phones to explore the spatial network of the garment industry in New York City.

Industrial agglomerations have long been thought to offer economic and social benefits to firms and people that are only captured by location within their specified geographies. Using the case study of New York City’s garment industry along with data acquired from cell phones and social media, this study set out to understand the discrete activities underpinning the economic dynamics of an industrial agglomeration. Over a two week period, data was collected by employing the geo-locative capabilities of Foursquare, a social media application, to record every movement of fashion workers employed at fashion design firms located both inside and outside the geographical boundaries of New York City’s Garment District. This unique method of studying worker activity exposed the day-to-day dynamics of an industrial district with a precision thus far undocumented in literature. Our work suggests that having access to the cluster provides almost the same agglomeration economies as residing within its borders.
Relationships between microbial community structure and soil environmental conditions in a recently burned system

Most wildfires, even the most severe, burn at mixed intensities across a landscape, depending on local fuel loads, fuel moistures, and wind strength and direction. This heterogeneous patchwork of fire effects can influence the patterns of above- and belowground biotic recovery through altered environmental conditions, nutrient availability, and biotic sources for microbial and vegetative re-colonization. We quantified the effects of low- and high-severity fire 14 months post-burn on key environmental variables typically limiting to microbial activity. We characterized the soil microbial community structure through ester-linked fatty acid analysis (EL-FAME) and identified the soil environmental factors that best explain the pattern of microbial community profiles through canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Low-severity burning caused no change in soil moisture, pH or temperature while high-severity burning caused an increase in soil moisture, temperature, and a decrease in pH levels, relative to the unburned sites. Soil respiration rates were significantly lower in both the low- and high-severity burn sites, relative to unburned sites, likely due to initial root and microbial death. Overall microbial biomass did not change with either low- or high-severity burning, but the microbial community ordination biplots showed separation of communities by fire, and slight separation by fire severity along three axes. This community separation was driven primarily by a decrease in fungal biomarkers (18:2ω6c, 18:3ω6c) with both low- and high-severity fire. Only 23% of the variation in the microbial community distribution could be explained by three environmental variables: soil pH, temperature, and carbon. These results suggest that the microbial communities in both the low- and high-severity burn sites are structurally different from the populations in the unburned sites.
A Method for the Analysis of the Growth of Short Fatigue Cracks

The behavior of short fatigue cracks is a matter of importance not only because much of the fatigue lifetime is spent in propagating these cracks, but also because the boundary between propagation and non-propagation separates the safe from the potentially unsafe fatigue regimes. The method of analysis is based upon the following equation:
The dropout problem: Reducing attrition in obesity research

To assess the effects of refundable monetary deposits upon attrition in obesity studies, three groups, each comprised of 14 overweight females, received treatment involving both a written weight reduction manual and covert sensitization under conditions involving a $20.00 deposit, a $5.00 deposit and no deposit. Contrary to the suggestion that a monetary deposit (especially a small deposit) might serve to increase attrition by reducing a subject's guilt over a broken commitment to attend, it was found that the requirement of a deposit significantly reduced attrition. In addition, subjects rated the written manual as significantly more useful and more helpful than the covert sensitization treatment.
A Fast ADC for Pulse Height Analysis

A 256-channel analog-to-digital converter having a 10 nsec per channel digitizing rate utilizing a 100 Mc crystal controlled clock will be described. Pulse analysis is accomplished by a new technique - a sample of the input pulse is analyzed based on "crossover timing" rather than "peak detection." This technique results in better linearity and less spectrum distortion at high counting rates. The "crossover timing" also provides a means of pile-up rejection based on the input pulse shape. A flexible address control provides a means of digital zero suppression which eliminates the spectrum distortion normally present with analog zero suppression and provides an accurate, reproducible means of analyzing portions of a spectrum. In order to minimize the ADC dead time, address information is "transferred" in parallel to the memory. Immediately after transfer the ADC is "free" to accept another input pulse for analysis. The ADC was designed as a plug-in accessory to a versatile, high speed, thin film memory. The complete system provides a means for accurately accumulating data at analyzed counting rates exceeding 100,000 stored counts per second.
Posterior reconstruction and anterior suspension with single anastomotic suture in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a simple method to improve early return of continence.

Post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence is a major cause of morbidity from radical prostatectomy. Efforts have been made to develop techniques to hasten return of urinary control. Several authors have demonstrated improved early continence with anterior, posterior, or combined reconstruction of the urethral–pelvic attachments. In this study, we compare three-month urinary function and continence data for patients who underwent RALP with posterior reconstruction and anterior suspension with single anastomotic suture (PRASS). A prospective cohort of 50 patients underwent RALP with PRASS reconstruction and were compared to 50 control patients who underwent standard RALP. Continence was defined as use of 0–1 urinary pads and was evaluated at each follow-up visit using the EPIC-26 questionnaire. A weighted summary score was created and group differences were compared using a repeated measures analysis of variance model. After adjusting for age, baseline AUA symptom score, and SHIM scores, which were found to correlate with continence, patients who underwent the PRASS reconstruction had significantly improved urinary control at three months compared with the control group; 90.9% of the patients in the PRASS group wore 0–1 pads per day versus 48.2% in the control group (P = 0.014). Of the patients undergoing the standard prostatectomy 20.6% were totally pad-free compared with 42% of the patients undergoing the PRASS procedure (P = 0.042). In conclusion, the PRASS technique resulted in statistically significant improvement in urinary control three months post-operation. The PRASS reconstruction is technically straightforward, requires no additional sutures, and is a simple technique that is easily learned and adaptable to other robotic surgery.
Characterization of myocardial tissue in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis by quantitative echocardiography

Abstract The uremic state affects myocardial structure, bringing about, among other things, interstitial calcium deposition. Abnormalities of myocardial structure can be assessed quantitatively and noninvasively during life by the analysis of the gray-level distribution of conventional two-dimensional echocardiograms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of quantitative echocardiography in providing information on myocardial structure in patients under maintenance hemodialysis and to relate the ultrasonic findings with abnormalities in calcium-phosphate metabolism. Forty patients undergoing dialysis without abnormalities in left ventricular regional and global function and 17 hypertensive patients with comparable left ventricular hypertrophy were studied. The distribution of the gray levels within a region of interest in the interventricular septum was analyzed off-line by an array processor-based computer. Compared with hypertensive patients, patients undergoing dialysis showed a greater myocardial echogenicity (mean 92 ± 20 versus 72 ± 15; p = 0.004) and a reduced homogeneity of distribution of gray levels (entropy 4.5 ± 0.2 versus 4.2 ± 0.2, p p r = −0.66; p = 0.001). Quantitative analysis of conventional two-dimensional echocardiograms allows the detection of a pathologic myocardial structure in patients under maintenance hemodialysis with normal left ventricular function. These abnormalities are related to disorders of calcium-phosphate metabolism and bear no relationship to the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy.
Asymmetrically constrained min-max arising from a problem of optimal control in the presence of uncertainty

This paper solves a particular min-max problem where the minimizing variables not only influence the performance index but also constrain the domain of action of the maximizing variables. The problem is approached as minimization of a supremal value function. It is shown here that if a weaker form of the classical sensitivity theorem of non-linear programming holds, then directional derivatives, and in some cases even ordinary derivatives, of the supremal value function exist. The existence of ordinary derivatives is especially useful for computation purposes, in that case the min-max becomes a stationary point under equality constraints with respect to both players separately. The problem originates from a new approach for control design of a dynamic uncertain system when a bound in norm of the approximation error is guaranteed.
Changes in the consequences of consumer envy due to ease of coping and social comparison targets

Social comparison of oneself with another can elicit envy, an unpleasant affect that often induces attempts to cope with it. Belk (2011) suggests that societal changes have steered contemporary consumers’ coping efforts away from those that have malicious interpersonal consequences. Whereas malicious envy may be less common in general, it may be concentrated in domains requiring self-regulation to prevent over-indulgence. Additional research is needed to increase our understanding of the cognitive mechanisms involved in consumer envy and consumers’ choices of the targets of envy, as well as the consequences of envy for the marketplace.
Dry bag isostatic pressing for improved green strength of surrogate nuclear fuel pellets

Abstract Dry bag isostatic pressing is proposed for mass production of nuclear fuel pellets. Dry bag isostatically pressed rods of a fuel surrogate (95% CeO2–5% HfO2) 200 mm long by 8 mm diameter were cut into pellets using a wire saw. Four different binders and CeO2 powder obtained from two different sources were investigated. The strength of the isostatically pressed pellets for all binder systems measured by diametral compression was about 50% higher than pellets produced by uniaxial dry pressing at the same pressure. It was proposed that the less uniform density of uniaxially pressed pellets accounted for the lower strength. The strength of pellets containing CeO2 powder with significantly higher moisture content was five times higher than pellets containing CeO2 powder with a low moisture content even though they were 25% less dense. Capillary pressure of the moisture was thought to supply the added binding strength.
Impression Making for the Young Child Who Gags

A problem frequently encountered by the dentist who treats young children is that of obtaining satisfactory full-mouth impressions for the gagging child. To obtain a satisfactory impression, the dentist must be able to identify a potential gagger and prepare him for the impression procedure. Methods of distracting the child must be devised. The dentist must use a technic that will enable him to work efficiently and quickly to get an acceptable impression.
BOOMER, a simulation and modeling program for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data analysis

Abstract BOOMER is an improved version of an earlier non-linear regression program, MULTI-FORTE. Rather than the user writing a FORTRAN subroutine, models are defined by means of the parameters which make up the model. Models based on differential equations are specified by means of zero-order, first-order, or Michaelis-Menten-type rate constants. Doses (in units of mass) are translated into the usually observed concentration units by a reciprocal volume parameter. Integrated equation models are specified in terms of baseline terms, exponential terms, or the emax functions with slope term as described by the Hill equation. Time points can be specified as parameters to specify dose times, infusion start/stop times, or lag times. With careful selection of parameters quite complex models can be specified. The user has a choice of differential equation solvers and fitting algorithms.
Pulsed coulometric detection of carbohydrates at a constant detection potential at gold electrodes in alkaline media

Abstract A significant increase in the signal-to-noise ratio for the pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) of carbohydrates at gold electrodes is obtained by increasing the length of the current integration period (ti) from the traditional value of 16.7 ms (i.e., 1 60 Hz). For ti > 16.7 ms, the integrated response (q, coulombs) is plotted as the signal. This pulsed coulometric detection (PCD) is applied in a flow-injection system. For ti = 500 ms, the detection limit with the instrumentation used is 1 μM (S/N = 2) for glucose which is a significant improvement on the value 35 μM found with PAD. The absolute detection limits for glucose and sucrose are ca. 50 pmol and 125 pmol, respectively, in 50-μl samples. Calibration plots (qp vs. Cb) for PCD are linear over significantly larger dynamic ranges than those observed for PAD because of the lower detection limits.
Hydrocele in the Canal of Nuck

We present a case of a hydrocele within the canal of Nuck that initially presented as a palpable mass in the right inguinal region. Ultrasonography demonstrated an anechoic cyst. Surgery was performed and the pathological diagnosis was a cyst in the canal of Nuck. This is a rare diagnosis, and the differential diagnosis often includes more common causes of inguinal masses. Ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice to narrow the differential diagnosis and to confirm a hydrocele. We also discuss the reported clinical and imaging characteristics of the cyst which differentiate it from other inguinal masses.
A social ecological approach to promote self-determination

This article describes a social-ecological approach for promoting and enhancing self-determination among individuals with developmental disabilities. A five-level model is presented, based on the interaction of person and environmental factors, that identifies a series of social mediator variables (i.e., social effectiveness, social capital, social inclusion), which the authors believe can successfully influence self-determination improvement efforts and enhance the efficacy of self-determination interventions. The impact of these mediators on intervention outcomes is considered within an interactional, social-ecological context of person-specific (individual characteristics) and environment-specific (provision of opportunities to make choices) contexts. This approach will guide the activities of a five-year National Training Consortium on self-determination involving five universities and funded by the U.S. Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The expected long-term outcomes associated with this...
Some Varieties Of Semantic Externalism In Duns Scotus’s Cognitive Psychology

According to Scotus, an intelligible species with universal content, inherent in the mind, is a partial cause of an occurrent cognition whose immediate object is the self-same species. I attempt to explain how Scotus defends the possibility of this causal activity. Scotus claims, generally, that forms are causes, and that inherence makes no difference to the capacity of a form to cause an effect. He illustrates this by examining a case in which an accident is an instrument of a substance in the production of a certain sort of effect. All that is required is that the accident is relevantly joined to the substance, whether or not it inheres in the substance. Since intelligible species are bearers of semantic content, it follows that non-inherent objects of thought can also be the bearers of such content. Such objects are included in the mind without inherence, and the boundary between the mind and external reality is to this extent broken down.
Kinetically controlled formation of a novel nanoparticulate ZnS with mixed cubic and hexagonal stacking

Nanoparticulate ZnS with mixed cubic and hexagonal close packed stacking was synthesized by reaction of zinc acetate with thioacetamide in weakly acidic solutions. The influences of temperature, reaction time, amounts of reagents and solution pH on the nanoparticle size and phase constitution were investigated. Experimental results suggest that the stacking in the nano-ZnS is controlled primarily by the precipitation kinetics. Factors that slow the precipitation rate favor the growth of nanoparticles with mixed stacking, probably because the probabilities of forming wurtzite-like layers and sphalerite-like layers under these conditions are approximately equal. Under conditions of rapid precipitation, the growth of sphalerite is favored, probably due to the aggregation of molecular clusters with sphalerite-like structure. UV–vis spectroscopy reveals that twins and stacking faults in nano-ZnS result in an electronic structure that differs from those of nano-scale sphalerite and wurtzite. New vibrational modes present in IR spectra of the nano-ZnS with mixed stacking indicate that the materials have novel optical properties. Control of defect microstructure may allow use of nano-ZnS in new technological applications.
A parallel implementation of the Car-Parrinello method by orbital decomposition

Abstract We have implemented the first-principles molecular dynamics algorithm of Car and Parrinello to take advantage of the currently available and emerging class of parallel supercomputers. Computations involving different orbitals are largely carried out in parallel. The communications intensive orthonormalization has been implemented in a way that maintains equal load balancing and takes advantage of nearly the full communications bandwidth, even on computers with a low degree of connectivity, such as the mesh communications architecture. Performance statistics on the Touchstone Delta computer and comparison with the performance of an optimized code running on the Cray Y-MP are presented.
Search for Higgs in the Two Doublet Models

Abstract Two Higgs Doublet Models are attractive extensions of the Standard Model. The most recent results obtained by the LEP collaborations on searches for Higgs bosons in the context of Two Higgs Doublet Models are presented.
Do Gulf Cooperation Countries' equity markets waltz or tango to spillovers?

This paper analyses the impact of global and regional spillovers to GCC equity markets. GCC equity markets were impacted by spillovers from US equity markets despite varying degrees of foreign participation. Spillovers from regional equity markets were also important but the magnitude of the effects was on average smaller than that from mature markets. The results also illustrated episodes of contagion, in particular during the recent global financial crisis. The findings suggest that the degree of interconnectedness between the GCC and global financial markets, given their longstanding net creditor status, underscores the financial channel as an important source through which volatility is transmitted. In this regard, GCC equity markets are not immune from global and regional financial shocks. These findings cast doubts on the notion among some analysts of decoupling between the GCC and global equity markets.
Nonlinear electro-mechanical responses of functionally graded piezoelectric beams

Abstract This study presents analyses of the nonlinear electro-mechanical responses of functionally graded piezoelectric beams undergoing small deformation gradients. The studied functionally graded beams comprise of electro-active and inactive constituents with gradual compositions varying through the thickness of the beams. Two types nonlinear electro-mechanical responses are considered for the active constituents, which are nonlinear electro-mechanical behaviors for the polarized piezoelectric constituent under electric fields smaller than the coercive limit, and polarization switching responses due to cyclic electric fields with high amplitude. The inactive constituent is modeled with uncoupled linear electro-elastic response. The functionally graded beam is discretized into several graded layers through its thickness. Each layer is comprised of different compositions of the active (piezoelectric) inclusions and conductive matrix. A particle-unit-cell micromechanical model is used to obtain the nonlinear electro-mechanical responses in each layer and is integrated within the laminate theory in order to obtain the overall nonlinear electro-mechanical responses of the functionally graded piezoelectric beams. The numerical predictions are compared with experimental data available in literature. Parametric studies are then performed in order to examine the effects of the thickness of the beam, of the concentration of the constituent, and the frequency of the cyclic electric field on the overall electro-mechanical response of the functionally graded piezoelectric beams.