cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electric and anomalous magnetic transitions in pressure quenched CdS

Anomalously large magnetic response in pressure quenched CdS suitably doped with chlorine is shown to change from superdiamagnetic to superparamagnetic at around 190 K. Electric measurements indicate a lattice structure change at about this temperature. A similar transition has been observed in the core of screw dislocations by Doding and Labusch.
Performance measurements of the X window system communication protocol

The X Window System® is a portable, network transparent window system. An X server manages the resources of an X display consisting of a screen, keyboard and pointer. An X server distributes user input (events) to and accepts output (requests) from X clients which vie for display resources. X provides an environment in which servers and clients may be separated by a communications network so that application programs can use graphical interfaces on remote hosts. Servers and clients communicate through a well-defined protocol that in turn uses protocols like the Internet TCP/IP protocol suite as a transport mechanism. Separation of servers and clients by a network introduces the possibility of performance degradation due to communication delays. These delays may be either due to latency resulting from round-trip delays between servers and clients or transmission delays resulting from the volume of traffic through the communications network. The X protocol is rigidly defined at a fairly low level, so that some forms of interaction between servers and clients may require the exchange of many events and requests through the underlying transport protocol across the communications network. Thus, there are many opportunities for network communication delays to affect the execution of X programs. This paper investigates the resources required by the X protocol from the communications network to evaluate the potential for communications delays induced by X protocol traffic. A protocol analysis tool, xlog, monitors the use of the communications protocol between a server and clients, and records a log of protocol messages for post-mortem analysis. We present the results of measurements of the X protocol taken with xlog for a variety of X clients and servers communicating over a 10Mb per second Ethernet. Although the overall network usage observed was not overly high, clients and servers using the X protocol did exhibit bursty behaviour in which transitory bandwidth requirements were significant. Some X applications may induce a significant load on the communications resources provided by an Ethernet. Applications developers and network architects must be aware of the load caused by the X protocol when designing networked graphic systems.
Validation of CFD Predicted Discharge Coefficients for Thick Plate Orifices With Approach Flow Perpendicular and Inclined to the Orifice Axis

The flow discharge through thick orifices with approaching flow normal and inclined to the orifice axis was numerically predicted. The objective is to validate Fluent code predictions of discharge coefficient against Rohde et al. experimental data and arrive at an optimum mesh in terms of effort, simulation time and accuracy. CFD simulations were performed on several Rohde et al. experimental models with orifice thickness to length ratio varying from 0.5 to 4.0, with sharp and rounded inlet edges and orifice axis inclined 45 degrees to the approaching flow. The approach Mach number varies from 0.07 to 0.55 and orifice velocity head ratio ranges from 1.3 to 200. Simulations are performed using FLUENT V6.3 with k-ω SST model and 2nd order discretization scheme. Coarse mesh results at selected test points were compared with fine mesh results and a best meshing practice was determined. CFD computation at selected points was also performed with Realizable K-e, v2f and RSM turbulence model. CFD predictions of discharge coefficient show good agreement with Rohde et al. experimental data.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Calibration of Ge(Li) gamma-ray spectrometers for the measurement of radioactive noble gases

Abstract Assays of radioactive noble gases, in particular reactor gaseous effluents, are routinely made with Ge(Li) gamma-ray spectrometers.(1) In the past, significant uncertainties in these assays have been associated with the calibration of the detector, that is, with the preparation of a curve showing full-energy-peak efficiency as a function of gamma-ray energy. A method of preparing such a curve, based on measurements made with gamma-ray point-source standards, is given here. An expression is given that relates the full-energy-peak efficiency for a point source, centered above a glass hemisphere, to that of a gaseous source in a spherical ampoule, for a given gamma-ray energy. Measurements made with standards of krypton-85, xenon-127, xenon-131m, and xenon-133 demonstrate that the method is suitable for the intended purpose.
A group model of form recognition under plane similarity transformations

Abstract A structure of the normal subgroups of the plane similarity group was constructed. In this group model, the plane similarity contains two normal subgroups: the direct similarity group and the dihedral group. While the latter preserves the size of a form, the former preserves its sense. Both subgroups contain a cyclic group as their normal subgroup. An experiment in form recognition using reaction time as the behavioral index was designed and conducted to test the theory of the group structure. The experimental results agree with the group theoretical model. The images generated by a normal subgroup that preserves the sense of a form require less time to identify than those induced by a normal subgroup that preserves its size. The reversal of the sense of a form creates more instability in an image and provides less information than change of size of the form. The normal subgroup that preserves the sense and the uprightness of a form maximizes symmetries and supplies the most information. Therefore, it provides the best condition for recognition of the image of a form.
Present Composition of Some Stands of the Former Oak-Chestnut Forest in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains

Chestnut blight, caused by the Ascomycete Endothia parasitic, was first discovered in the United States in 1904 in New York City and spread rapidly northeast, west, and southwest. By 1910 it had spread as far south as southeastern Pennsylvania and in 1920 the "80 per cent infection zone" extended along the Blue Ridge mountains to central Virginia. In 1926 local infections had been reported in western North Carolina, northern Georgia, and northwestern South Carolina. In 1930 Gravatt and Gill reported that infection in western North Carolina showed eighty to ninety-nine per cent. Owners of chestnut timber in the newly infected areas of the Carolinas and Georgia quickly cut as much of that lumber as possible. Most of the remaining chestnut (Castanea dentata)lt trees, dead or alive, have been gradually removed, until now, twenty years after the blight reached its peak, there are only a few scattered ghost trees left to indicate the once relatively great importance of the species. The removal of a species which made up more than 40 per cent of the overstory trees in the climax forests of an area would certainly be expected to produce changes in the composition of the vegetation of the region. It is possible that species co-dominant with chestnut would advance in rank and become the most important species in the new climax. It is also possible, as Braun (1950) suggests, that the opening of the canopy, the release of undergrowth trees, and the resulting changes in the humus layer may cause
Towards flexible, automated microassembly with caging micromanipulation

In this paper, we present a novel approach to micromanipulation and assembly tasks using caging micro-manipulation motion primitives for 2D and 3D autonomous micromanipulation and assembly tasks. A flexible, multi-scale test-bed, developed for use in conjunction with these primitives, is described first. The approach and motion primitives are then discussed. An autonomous micromanipulation and assembly task is described and manipulation plans using the methodology are generated and experimentally executed. The autonomous task shows promising results with a success rate of 93% for 27 individual micro-assembly experiments.
The urethral smear in the normal human male.

CHANGES in the vaginal secretion which can be correlated with the menstrual cycle have been recognized since 1933 (1). The vaginal smear technique has been applied to the diagnosis of functional disturbances originating in the female endocrine system and to the evaluation of therapeutic measures used therefor. More recently attention, has been focussed on its use in the diagnosis of malignant diseases of the female genital tract (2). Similar techniques have also been employed in the detection of malignant disease of the respiratory, genito-urinary and gastrointestinal tracts of both men and women. (3). In a recent article (4) a clinician reported that the cells observed in the smears taken from the urethras of men, in whom sex hormone deficiency existed, differed from those observed in so-called “normal” subjects. Moreover, the same worker stated that, following administration of androgen sufficient to relieve symptoms, the pattern of the urethral smear returned to normal. On the basis of his preliminary ...
Flecainide: Its proarrhythmic effect and expected changes on the surface electrocardiogram

Abstract The proarrhythmic potential and electrophysiologic effect of flecainide acetate, a potent class IC antiarrhythmic agent, are considered in this report. Although the definition of a proarrhythmic effect is arbitrary, several such definitions are discussed and applied to data on flecainide. In patients with chronic ventricular arrhythmias, an increase in VPC frequency developed in 0 to 4% of patients, compared with 1 to 8% of patients who received quinidine and 2% who received encainide, another class IC agent. In patients with acute hemodynamically significant ventricular arrhythmias, the proarrhythmic effects were noted in 5 to 12%. Proarrhythmic effects appear to be more common in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The depression of atrioventricular conduction produced by flecainide is similar to that seen with other class IC agents. Increases in PR and QRS intervals are related to dose and plasma concentration and are approximately 25% at therapeutic levels. These changes in the electrocardiographic intervals do not appear to carry important clinical implications and do not require discontinuation of flecainide. QT prolongation is absent or minimal with flecainide. Guidelines for management of patients with flecainide are suggested.
Creativity and Speed of Mental Processing

It is reasonable to expect a correlation between creativity and speed of mental processing. Faster mental processing would allow one to learn the elements relevant to a domain and to screen more id...
Evidence for a Relief of Repression Mechanism for Activation of the Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Promoter

The transcriptional activation of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is an important step during cellular immortalization and tumorigenesis. To study how this activation occurs during immortalization, we have established a set of genetically related pre-crisis cells and their immortal progeny. As expected, hTERT mRNA was detected in our telomerase-positive immortal cells but not in pre-crisis cells or telomerase-negative immortal cells. However, transiently transfected luciferase reporters controlled by hTERT promoter sequences exhibited similar levels of luciferase activity in both telomerase-positive and -negative cells, suggesting that the endogenous chromatin context is likely required for hTERT regulation. Analysis of chromatin susceptibility to DNase I digestion consistently identified a DNase I hypersensitivity site (DHS) near the hTERT transcription initiation site in telomerase-positive cells. In addition, the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) induced hTERT transcription and also a general increase in chromatin sensitivity to DNase treatment in telomerase-negative cells. The TSA-induced hTERT transcription in pre-crisis cells was accompanied by the formation of a DHS at the hTERT promoter. Furthermore, the TSA-induced hTERT transcription and chromatin alterations were not blocked by cycloheximide, suggesting that this induction does not require de novo protein synthesis and that TSA induces hTERT expression through the inhibition of histone deacetylation at the hTERT promoter. Taken together, our results suggest that the endogenous chromatin environment plays a critical role in the regulation of hTERT expression during cellular immortalization.
Cytologic findings in stage I adenocarcinoma of the lung: implications for the detection of early lung cancer

Preoperative cytologic examinations were performed on bronchial material from 92 patients with postsurgical (pathologic) stage I (American Joint Committee) adenocarcinoma of the lung. All patients were followed up for at least 5 years or until death; thus, cases of adenocarcinoma metastatic to the lungs were virtually excluded. Only 22 patients (24%) had abnormal preoperative cytologic findings. This low cytologic sensitivity is ascribed to the small size and peripheral location of the tumors. Large lesions of high histologic grades were more likely to have positive preoperative cytologic findings than small, well-differentiated ones.
Foundering of mafic plutons and density stratification of continental crust

Mafic magmas rising into the middle crust are typically trapped in wall rocks of similar density. Upon crystallization their densities increase significantly, and the resulting plutons have a large negative buoyancy. Calculations indicate that plutons of even modest size will sink at rates on the order of several kilometres per million years in typical middle and lower crust. This foundering process accounts for the widespread stable density stratification of the crust in spite of magmatic processes that should lead to density inversions.
TAXATION AND ACCELERATED INDUSTRIALIZATION

UNDERDEVELOPED ECONOMIES ARE typically caught in the so-called "Cvicious circle of poverty," a circle running from low income to small savings to small capital accumulations to a continuation of low income. Taxation can be used to break the circle by forcing a higher rate of savings 4rom the meager income of these countries. During 1928-36, a period of nine fiscal years, the Nationalist government of China committed itself to a program of accelerated industrialization of the economy. To help finance this program, numerous reforms were made in the Chinese tax system in the direction of increasing its revenue productivity. Yet, even as late as 1936, the combined tax collections of all levels of the Chinese government amounted to no more than 4 per cent of China's gross national product. This fact is surprising, since the corresponding percentages for other underdeveloped economies (e.g., India, Guatemala, and Chile) have been found to be considerably higher. Why, then, was the Chinese tax system during the Nanking period' unable to absorb a larger percentage of China's gross national product? One possible answer to this query could be that the expenditures of the Chinese governments were not contributing much to the immediate consumption needs of the people. If that was the case, the proportionate taxable capacity would be low in a poor country like China. In this connection it is pertinent to note that the Chinese national government, which was financially far more important than the provincial and hsien (county) governments combined, devoted roughly 44 per cent of its total expenditures during the Nanking period to military purposes. But, while the heavy military outlays of the Nanking government did lower China's proportionate taxable capacity, the tax system itself was the primary cause of its low revenue productivity. In China, as in the United States, taxes were levied by three levels of government: the national, provincial, and ksien governments. The
Assessment tools for unrecognized myocardial infarction: a cross-sectional analysis of the REasons for geographic and racial differences in stroke population

Routine electrocardiograms (ECGs) are not recommended for asymptomatic patients because the potential harms are thought to outweigh any benefits. Assessment tools to identify high risk individuals may improve the harm versus benefit profile of screening ECGs. In particular, people with unrecognized myocardial infarction (UMI) have elevated risk for cardiovascular events and death. Using logistic regression, we developed a basic assessment tool among 16,653 participants in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study using demographics, self-reported medical history, blood pressure, and body mass index and an expanded assessment tool using information on 51 potential variables. UMI was defined as electrocardiogram evidence of myocardial infarction without a self-reported history (n = 740). The basic assessment tool had a c-statistic of 0.638 (95% confidence interval 0.617 - 0.659) and included age, race, smoking status, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and self-reported history of transient ischemic attack, deep vein thrombosis, falls, diabetes, and hypertension. A predicted probability of UMI > 3% provided a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 30%. The expanded assessment tool had a c-statistic of 0.654 (95% confidence interval 0.634-0.674). Because of the poor performance of these assessment tools, external validation was not pursued. Despite examining a large number of potential correlates of UMI, the assessment tools did not provide a high level of discrimination. These data suggest defining groups with high prevalence of UMI for targeted screening will be difficult.
Inhibitors of Neovascularization: Critical Mediators in the Coordinate Regulation of Angiogenesis

The processes of tissue regeneration and repair, the cyclical proliferation of the nutrient-rich endometrial lining in preparation for implantation of the fertilized egg; and the complex developmental program that characterizes embryogenesis are biological processes that are strictly dependent on the rapid yet temporary ingrowth of new capillary blood vessels. In contrast, disorders such as neoplasia, proliferative vascular lesions, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and glaucoma are all characterized by disregulated angiogenesis. The mechanisms underling inappropriate neovascularization have been the subject of considerable investigation. Although there is ample evidence implicating the “overproduction” of normal and/or aberrant forms of angiogenic mediators in the pathogenesis of several well characterized disorders, only recently has attention been given to the role of naturally occurring inhibitors of angiogenesis and the consequences that result from a deficiency in the production of one or more of these “angiostatic” mediators (Moses and Langer, 1991a; Bouck, 1990 and 1993; DiPietro and Polverini, 1993, in press). This report will describe recent studies that support the assertion that angiogenesis is a process that is dependent upon the coordinate production of growth stimulatory and inhibitory molecules and that any disruption in this finely tuned regulatory circuit can result in the development of a number of diseases now classified as “angiogenesisdependent”.
Sex Differences in the Care of Patients With Advanced Heart Failure

The patient was a frail-appearing woman slumped in a wheelchair, surrounded by her 3 children. Her head tilted slightly in greeting, but beyond her rapid and deep respiratory effort, she was too weak to move. She had been discharged 3 days previously from an outside hospital where she was confined for 3 weeks and had arrived at the academic medical center for a posthospital visit. The recent admission followed 4 others in the previous 6 months. Now, she was living at home in hospice care. The family arrived that day hoping that, as they heard from a church friend, the heart failure (HF) specialist might be able to help. The patient was more accepting, saying, “The doctors told me that I am dying, and there is nothing that they can do. I am at peace; I don’t want to be a bother to no one.” There are 5.7 million patients with HF in the United States over half of whom are women. Each year 33 700 women will die from this disease, representing 58% of all annual HF deaths.1–3 Although women and men are equally likely to have HF, women are more likely to die from it. Despite these facts, many Americans think that men are at greater risk for heart disease and that women are more likely to die from breast cancer. Why is the risk of HF in women underappreciated? The substantial numbers of women with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) may be a contributor. It is known that HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) accounts for only a portion of patients with symptomatic HF. In a cohort of patients from Olmsted County, MN, HFrEF accounted for only 57% of patients with HF, whereas 43% of patients had an ejection fraction of >50%. Patients with …
Importance of geometry and refractory period in sustaining atrial fibrillation: testing the critical mass hypothesis.

Background— The critical mass hypothesis for atrial fibrillation (AF) was proposed in 1914. There has never been a systematic investigation defining the relationship between tissue geometry and AF. The purpose of this study was to determine the association among the probability of maintaining AF and the width, area, weight, effective refractory period (ERP), and wavelength in atrial tissue. Methods and Results— Isolated canine atria (n=20) were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution. Baseline ERPs were obtained with and without acetylcholine (10E-3.5 mol/L) using single extra-stimulus pacing while unipolar electrograms were recorded from 250 sites. The tissue was then partitioned using bipolar radiofrequency ablation, and the ERPs were measured again with and without acetylcholine. Any section of tissue that maintained AF was divided until the arrhythmia was no longer inducible. ERPs and conduction velocities were measured in all of the sections after each ablation, and the wavelengths were calculated. The probability of AF was found to be correlated with increasing tissue areas, widths, and weights ( P <0.001). The probability of AF was significantly associated with the length of the ERP and the wavelength ( P <0.001). With shorter ERPs and shorter wavelengths, there was an increased probability of sustained AF. Conclusions— The probability of sustained AF was significantly associated with increasing tissue area, width, and weight and decreasing ERPs and wavelengths. These data may lead to a better understanding of the mechanism of AF and, thus, help to design more-effective interventional procedures in the future.
Probing Access Resistance of Solid-State Nanopores with a Scanning-Probe Microscope Tip

An apparatus that integrates solid-state nanopore ionic current measurement with a scanning-probe microscope is developed. When a micrometer-scale scanning-probe tip is near a voltage-biased nanometer-scale pore (10–100 nm), the tip partially blocks the flow of ions to the pore and increases the pore access resistance. The apparatus records the current blockage caused by the probe tip and the location of the tip simultaneously. By measuring the current blockage map near a nanopore as a function of the tip position in 3D space in salt solution, the relative pore resistance increases due to the tip and ΔR/R0 is estimated as a function of the tip location, nanopore geometry, and salt concentration. The amplitude of ΔR/R0 also depends on the ratio of the pore length to its radius as Ohm's law predicts. When the tip is very close to the pore surface, ≈10 nm, experiments show that ΔR/R0 depends on salt concentration as predicted by the Poisson and Nernst–Planck equations. Furthermore, the measurements show that ΔR/R0 goes to zero when the tip is about five times the pore diameter away from the center of the pore entrance. The results in this work not only demonstrate a way to probe the access resistance of nanopores experimentally; they also provide a way to locate the nanopore in salt solution, and open the door to future nanopore experiments for detecting single biomolecules attached to a probe tip.
Valuing Social Science Research and Policy Analysis

A methodology for evaluating the benefits of policy-oriented social science research could have radical consequences for the level and kind of financial support for such research. If the paradigm of medical research offers any insights, it suggests that a neutral and widely accepted evaluation methodology, such as double-blind clinical trials, would quickly weed out failures from promising approaches. Financial resources for research can then be devoted to
Words and Wards: A Model of Reflective Writing and Its Uses in Medical Education

Personal, creative writing as a process for reflection on patient care and socialization into medicine (“reflective writing”) has important potential uses in educating medical students and residents. Based on the authors’ experiences with a range of writing activities in academic medical settings, this article sets forth a conceptual model for considering the processes and effects of such writing. The first phase (writing) is individual and solitary, consisting of personal reflection and creation. Here, introspection and imagination guide learners from loss of certainty to reclaiming a personal voice; identifying the patient’s voice; acknowledging simultaneously valid yet often conflicting perspectives; and recognizing and responding to the range of emotions triggered in patient care. The next phase (small-group reading and discussion) is public and communal, where sharing one’s writing results in acknowledging vulnerability, risk-taking, and self-disclosure. Listening to others’ writing becomes an exercise in mindfulness and presence, including witnessing suffering and confusion experienced by others. Specific pedagogical goals in three arenas-professional development, patient care and practitioner well-being – are linked to the writing/reading/listening process. The intent of presenting this model is to help frame future intellectual inquiry and investigation into this innovative pedagogical modality.
Phomopsis Dieback: A Grapevine Trunk Disease Caused by Phomopsis viticola in California

Field surveys recently conducted in California and in other grape-growing regions in the United States showed Phomopsis viticola to be one of the most prevalent fungi isolated from grapevine perennial cankers in declining vines. The current study has not only confirmed the presence of P. viticola from grapevine cankers in California but also has for the first time revealed the occurrence of Diaporthe ambigua, D. eres, and D. neotheicola in symptomatic grapevine wood in California by means of morphological studies and multi-gene sequence analysis. Pathogenicity trials conducted on mature cordons of Vitis vinifera 'Syrah' and 'Red Globe', as well as on lignified Syrah dormant canes, showed P. viticola isolates from California to be capable of causing perennial cankers. Lengths of vascular discoloration caused by P. viticola were similar to those caused by Eutypa lata and several Botryosphaeriaceae spp., which are well-known grapevine trunk disease pathogens. Additionally, a lack of spring growth was commonly observed in dormant canes inoculated with P. viticola spore suspensions in two pathogenicity trials. As part of this study, V. vinifera 'Cabernet Sauvignon' and 'Zinfandel' wood was shown to be more susceptible to infection by P. viticola than 'Barbera', 'Chardonnay', 'Merlot', and 'Thompson Seedless' wood. After more than 40 years overlooking P. viticola as a grapevine wood pathogen, this study provides strong evidence of the role of P. viticola as a canker-causing organism, and suggests its addition to the fungi involved in the grapevine trunk disease complex. Results from this study suggest D. ambigua and D. neotheicola to be saprophytes or weak pathogens on grapevine wood.
STING-Dependent Recognition of Cyclic di-AMP Mediates Type I Interferon Responses during Chlamydia trachomatis Infection

STING (stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes) initiates type I IFN responses in mammalian cells through the detection of microbial nucleic acids. The membrane-bound obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis induces a STING- dependent type I IFN response in infected cells, yet the IFN-inducing ligand remains unknown. In this report, we provide evi- dence thatChlamydiasynthesizes cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP), a nucleic acid metabolite not previously identified in Gram- negative bacteria, and that this metabolite is a prominent ligand for STING-mediated activation of IFN responses during infection. We used primary mouse lungfibroblasts and HEK293T cells to compare IFN-responses toChlamydia infection, c-di-AMP, and other type I IFN-inducing stimuli. Chlamydiainfection and c-di-AMP treatment induced type I IFN responses in cells expressing STING but not in cells expressing STING variants that cannot sense cyclic dinucleotides but still respond to cy- toplasmic DNA. The failure to induce a type I IFN response to Chlamydia and c-di-AMP correlated with the inability of STING to relocalize from the endoplasmic reticulum to cytoplasmic punctate signaling complexes required for IFN activation. We con- clude thatChlamydia induces STING-mediated IFN responses through the detection of c-di-AMP in the host cell cytosol and propose that c-di-AMP is the ligand predominantly responsible for inducing such a response in Chlamydia-infected cells. IMPORTANCE This study shows that the Gram-negative obligate pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, a major cause of pelvic in- flammatory disease and infertility, synthesizes cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP), a nucleic acid metabolite that thus far has been de- scribed only in Gram-positive bacteria. We further provide evidence that the host cell employs an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)- localized cytoplasmic sensor, STING (stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes), to detect c-di-AMP synthesized by Chlamydiaand induce a protective IFN response. This detection occurs even though Chlamydia is confined to a membrane-bound vacuole. This raises the possibility that the ER, an organelle that innervates the entire cytoplasm, is equipped with pattern recognition recep- tors that can directly survey membrane-bound pathogen-containing vacuoles for leaking microbe-specific metabolites to mount type I IFN responses required to control microbial infections.
STUDY OF THE CROP-SAC WEIGHT METHOD FOR PROLACTIN ASSAY1,

INCREASE in crop-gland weight following prolactin treatment is widely used in estimating quantities of this hormone. The known factors that influence this response have recently been discussed in an excellent review (Riddle and Bates, 1939). Subsequently, these authors found a more than 3-fold variation in sensitivity from time to time in the same race of pigeons (1941). The present report confirms much of Riddle and Bates study of this assay method. Certain changes, however, are suggested in the dose-response curve that they proposed (1939) and evidence is presented that the breed of pigeons we have both used has changed in responsiveness to prolactin over a period of a few years. White Carneau pigeons were used exclusively being shipped at 6 weeks of age from Sumter, South Carolina; the prolactin injections were started 3 or 4 days later. The pigeons were of the same breed, age, and from the same source as those used by Bates and Riddle
Reducción del daño: una preocupación central para la antropología médica*

El tema de la reduccion del dano se ubica dentro de un area tematica mas extensa de la antropologia: la antropologia de la vulnerabilidad, del riesgo y de la responsabilidad. Esta area tematica abarca el estudio de la percepcion comun de la vulnerabilidad, de la produccion del conocimiento sobre riesgo, de las reacciones de la gente a la informacion sobre riesgo, de la politica de la responsabilidad y de las practicas asumidas para minimizar los riesgos en el presente y en el futuro. La reduccion del dano es una expresion de control de la propia vida al tiempo que una forma de manipulacion en un entorno economico politico en el cual la industria de la reduccion del dano esta dispuesta a aprovechar las perspectivas cada vez mas amplias del riesgo, de las ansiedades colectivas y de la necesidad de la gente de sentir que tiene control
Evolving treatment strategies in patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is defined by a set of biologically distinct diseases characterized by maturation arrest and clonal proliferation of myeloid cells. Recommendations for post-remission therapy depend on assessing the leukemia risk characteristics, such as cytogenetics and molecular features present at diagnosis. Patients with high-risk disease include those whose leukemia is characterized by monosomal karyotype or poor-risk cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities, patients with antecedent hematologic disorders or therapy-related AML, and presence of adverse host factors, such as comorbidities, impaired performance status or older age. Older patients are more likely to have these adverse features. High-risk AML responds poorly to available induction treatment and is likely to relapse despite consolidation therapy. Current data support an increasing understanding of prognosis but have not yet resulted in effective therapies for patients with high-risk disease. This review discusses current therapies and evolving treatment strategies for high-risk AML.
Negative affect, emotional awareness and substance use in adolescents and young adults

Conclusions: The results of this review demonstrate that even with limited resources, LMIC have successfully achieved the 50% retention minimum among OST participants after 12 months, and retention in LMIC is comparable to those seen in established OST programs in high-income countries. Due to the infancy of many of these programs, it is important to monitor progress in the early years to ensure continued retention success for future participants and future established programs. Financial support: NIH R01DA024612.
The global positioning system and the implicit function theorem

This paper provides an example of the implicit function theorem to the accuracy of global positioning system (GPS) navigation. The implicit function theorem allows one to approximate the timing accuracy required by the GPS navigation system to locate a user within a certain degree of precision.
Customizable panoramic maps

A technique for resurrecting the making of panoramic maps is proposed. The art of making these maps disappeared due to the difficulty to depict current cluttered urban areas, and the enormous artistic effort required for drawing an area in panoramic view. We present techniques to reduce clutter by enabling user customization of content to be depicted in the map, and overcome the need for extensive artistic effort by devising procedural rendering techniques to enable computer aided generation of panoramic maps.
Nothing Dramatic (… regarding administration of customs laws)

This paper discusses the 2005 dispute between the European Community (EC) and the United States (US) regarding the customs classification of two specific products and the ambit of Art. X GATT (Publication and Administration of Trade Regulations). The Dispute Settlement Panel and the Appellate Body (AB) essentially upheld the position advocated by the EC, with one exception that is of no practical import, as the EC had already modified its regime. While the AB followed prior case law, it added two new findings. First, the WTO-consistency of laws can be challenged under Art. X GATT if they concern the implementation or application of laws concerning customs administration and enforcement. Second, the obligation included in Art. X.3(b) GATT to establish tribunals or procedures to review and correct administrative actions relating to customs matters concerns courts of first instance only. Thus it is quite possible that their decisions might not be uniform, and absence of uniformity at this level is not a violation of Art. X.3(b).
Estimation Bias in Multi-Armed Bandit Algorithms for Search Advertising

In search advertising, the search engine needs to select the most profitable advertisements to display, which can be formulated as an instance of online learning with partial feedback, also known as the stochastic multi-armed bandit (MAB) problem. In this paper, we show that the naive application of MAB algorithms to search advertising for advertisement selection will produce sample selection bias that harms the search engine by decreasing expected revenue and "estimation of the largest mean" (ELM) bias that harms the advertisers by increasing game-theoretic player-regret. We then propose simple bias-correction methods with benefits to both the search engine and the advertisers.
Remote labs environments (RLE): a constructivist online experimentation in science, engineering, and information technology

Since the invention of the Internet, many academicians, educators, and researches have been searching for effectual virtual lab experiments; however, the very nature of real experimentation was not possible or missing. Yet, in the past few years, many scholarly articles and published research reports claimed the availability of virtual laboratories that mimics real laboratory experimentations. Nonetheless, within these self-claimed virtual experiments' infrastructures, the elements of real experimentation-in comparison to conventional laboratories were far distant from constructing real experimentations online. Such a lack of real experimentation, over the internet, gave birth to an authentic leap beyond the limitations of antiquated virtual laboratories. The recent birth of Remote Labs Environment (RLE) at the Centre of Advanced Distance Education Technologies (CADET) brings with it a world of possibilities and innovative computing technologies. For this reason, this paper was written to inform and to set forth a discussion of RLE experiments. RLE brings into play a diverse state-of-the-art technologies including but not limited to: single-chip web server/controller hardware technologies, component object model (COM) software technologies, instructional design models and an embedded instructional cognitive subsystem (ICD), and in-house middleware applications. RLE's technology is systematically integrated into one unified computing system to help institute real experimentation environment online. All experiments presented in this paper were actually designed and implemented in CDA6316 grad course (embedded systems, taught by one of the authors of this paper). These experiments will be used in undergraduate engineering courses, where students get to manipulate experiments online and from different remote locations.
Use Two-Level Rejuvenation to Combat Software Aging and Maximize Average Resource Performance

Software aging is a common phenomenon which is often manifested through system performance degradation. Rejuvenation is one of the most commonly used approaches to handle issues caused by software aging. To combat resource performance degradation and at the same time maintain maximized average resource performance, we present a two-level rejuvenation strategy, i.e., interleaving a set of n warm rejuvenations with one cold rejuvenation. Our target is to find the optimal n that maximizes system average performance. We first define a resource model that takes into consideration of performance degradation and two-level rejuvenations. Based on the resource model, we formally analyze the resource supply and present the MAX-PERFORMANCE algorithm to determine the optimal rejuvenation pattern that maximizes the average resource performance. The simulation results show that with a two-level rejuvenation strategy, we can achieve 25.22% higher average resource performance compared with a single level rejuvenation strategy.
Correlation Energy Functionals of One-Matrices and Hartree-Fock Densities

It is shown that only a small piece of the exact universal variational functional of the one matrix is actually unknown. The unknown piece, EC[γ], is identified and several rigorous properties of EC[γ] are derived. Based upon the derived properties, approximate forms of EC[γ] are displayed for the purpose of actual calculations, Existence theorems are then proved which allow the “single-shot” determination of exact correlation energies directly from Hartree-Fock and exchange-only densities. In fact, all ground-state and excited-state properties of the system are determined by these densities. The existence theorems do not generally apply, however, a, to finite basis sets. EC [γ] is then compared with \({\tilde E_c}\left[ \rho \right]\) which is the “single-shot” universal correlation energy functional of the Hartree- Fock density which is put forth as the correction to the Hartree-Fock energy.
Rapid miniaturized chromatography system for I-123 Ioflupane

2729 Objectives I-123 Ioflupane (DaTscan) is a new radiopharmaceutical used in SPECT brain imaging to differentiate essential tremors from tremors due to Parkinson’s Disease by visualizing striatal presynaptic dopamine transporters. Our facility wanted to establish a fast, easy, and reliable method to determine the radiochemical purity of I-123 Ioflupane. Methods We evaluated several miniaturized chromatography systems. Of the chrom systems evaluated, two specific systems looked promising; instant thin layer chrom-silica gel (ITLC-SG) with 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) and instant thin layer chrom-silicic acid (ITLC-SA) with 0.9% NaCl. For these specific chrom systems I-123 Ioflupane was spotted at the origin and following strip development, cut into 0.5 cm sections and counted using a multichannel analyzer interfaced to a NaI(Tl) well detector. Chromatographic strip activity distributions were created for each chrom system and a cut line (Rf 0.5) was established. The radiochemical purity of several I-123 Ioflupane preparations, ranging from 32% to 95%, was evaluated with a determined specific miniaturized chrom system, ITLC-SA with 0.9% sodium chloride, and results compared to the experimental radiochemical purity results. Results Maximum separation between I-123 Ioflupane and I-123 NaI was achieved with both ITLC-SG with 0.9% NaCl and ITLC-SA with 0.9% NaCl systems with Rf values of 0.0-0.1 and 1.0 for I-123 Ioflupane and I-123 NaI, respectively. However, significant streaking of I-123NaI was noted for ITLC-SG and not ITLC-SA. As a result, the ITLC-SA chrom system was favored. Close correlation in radiochemical purity of I-123 Ioflupane ranging from 32%-95% was obtained with ITLC-SA with 0.9% NaCl with deviations ranging from 0.1%-3.7%. Conclusions A new miniaturized chromatography system consisting of ITLC-SA with 0.9% NaCl was evaluated for radiochemical purity analysis of I-123 Ioflupane. This chrom system provided maximal separation of specific radiochemical species and accurate assessment of radiochemical purity
Feasibility of Administering High-Dose (131) I-MIBG Therapy to Children with High-Risk Neuroblastoma Without Lead-Lined Rooms.

Background Although 131I–metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I–MIBG) therapy is increasingly used for children with high-risk neuroblastoma, a paucity of lead-lined rooms limits its wider use. We implemented radiation safety procedures to comply with New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene regulations for therapeutic radioisotopes and administered 131I–MIBG using rolling lead shields. Procedure Patients received 0.67 GBq (18 mCi)/kg/dose 131I–MIBG on an IRB-approved protocol (NCT00107289). Radiation safety procedures included private room with installation of rolling lead shields to maintain area dose rates ≤0.02 mSv/hr outside the room, patient isolation until dose rate <0.07 mSv/hr at 1 m, and retention of a urinary catheter with collection of urine in lead boxes. Parents were permitted in the patient's room behind lead shields, trained in radiation safety principles, and given real-time radiation monitors. Results Records on 16 131I–MIBG infusions among 10 patients (age 2–11 years) were reviewed. Mean ± standard deviation 131I–MIBG administered was 17.67 ± 11.14 (range: 6.11–40.59) GBq. Mean maximum dose rates outside treatment rooms were 0.013 ± 0.008 mSv/hr. Median time-to-discharge was 3 days post-131I–MIBG. Exposure of medical staff and parents was below regulatory limits. Cumulative whole-body dose received by the physician, nurse, and radiation safety officer during treatment was 0.098 ± 0.058, 0.056 ± 0.045, 0.055 ± 0.050 mSv, respectively. Cumulative exposure to parents was 0.978 ± 0.579 mSv. Estimated annual radiation exposure for inpatient nurses was 0.096 ± 0.034 mSv/nurse. Thyroid bioassay scans on all medical personnel showed less than detectable activity. Contamination surveys were <200 dpm/100 cm2. Conclusions The use of rolling lead shields and implementation of specific radiation safety procedures allows administration of high-dose 131I–MIBG and may broaden its use without dedicated lead-lined rooms.
An American Perspective on the Chinese Pension System

For all its rapid economic and military growth, China may have a crucial weakness in its grossly underfunded retirement system for the largest national population on earth. Currently, the implicit pension debt in China is around $1.5 trillion, a liability that primarily rests on the country's 31 provinces. In the U.S., the ratio of workers to retirees is declining from 6 to 1 in 1960 to 2 to 1 in 2040. Because China generally limits each family to one child, the decline is much faster: from 6 to 1 in 2000 to 2 to 1 in 2040. Only 50 percent of urban workers and 11 percent of rural workers are actually paying into the current Chinese social security system. Unless China implements reform, it runs a serious risk that inadequate funding of retirement benefits will constrain its high rate of economic growth, as the government will begin to devote a much larger percentage of its GDP to paying retirement benefits, and workers will have to save a large part of their income to finance their retirement. This paper examines the current Chinese pension system and suggests possible reform measures. The PDF for the above title, published in the August 2006 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another August 2006 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: "Britain's Answer for Future Retirement Income: Possible Lessons for the United States."
Book Review of Environmental Protection in Multi-Layered Systems: Comparative Lessons from the Water Sector, Edited by Mariachiara Alberton and Francesco Palermo

Environmental Protection in Multi-Layered Systems: Comparative Lessons from the Water Sector is one of a series of explorations of territorial and cultural diversity governance. The book describes the federal environmental structure of many western European countries and the United States to assess whether such structures can advance better environmental protection. In the word of the authors, “the research hypothesis” is that “the federal potential of environmental law [is] a pushing factor for multi-level cooperative government especially, but not exclusively within the EU” and this hypothesis “will be verified by the means for comparative analysis.” The book briefly describes the federal structure of law of each nation including its institutional setup, potential conflict among layers of government, and shortcomings in implementation.