cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Special Concern: Personality and dental care utilization: findings from the VA longitudinal study

The personality traits of introversion/extraversion and neuroticism were investigated as determinants of the utilization of restorative dental care, controlling for socioeconomic status and restorative need. The VA Dental Longitudinal Study (DLS) provided information on the restorative treatment received by 593 healthy adult males during a 10-year period. Utilization of restorative services was measured by calculating the percentage of surfaces that needed and received treatment, as identified by the DLS examiners by clinical and radiographic examination. Oral examinations were initiated in 1969 with subsequent examinations occurring at approximately 3-year intervals. Personality measures for these individuals were obtained using the EPI-Q, a shortened form of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. A plot of neuroticism versus the utilization measure yielded a curvilinear relationship suggesting that participants seeking the most dental care scored moderately on the neuroticism scale while those scoring lowest and highest on this scale sought less treatment. In contrast, the introversion/extraversion scale showed no apparent relationship with dental care utilization. Results from the regression analysis suggest that dentition and socioeconomic status are strong determinants of utilization and that need for restorative treatment influences utilization.
Why Are Studies of Neighborhoods and Communities Central to Education Policy and Reform

To understand the long shadow of education policy and reform in the United States, especially in the urban core, requires a full and elaborate understanding of the neighborhoods and communities tha...
Non-axisymmetric modes in viscoelastic taylor-couette flow

Abstract In this work, the linear stability analysis of the viscoelastic Taylor-Couette flow against non-axisymmetric disturbances is investigated. A pseudospectrally generated, generalized algebraic eigenvalue problem is constructed from the linearized set of the three-dimensional governing equations around the steady-state azimuthal solution. Numerical evaluation of the critical eigenvalues shows that for an upper-convected Maxwell model and for the specific set of geometric and kinematic parameters examined in this work, the azimuthal Couette (base) flow becomes unstable against non-axisymmetric time periodic disturbances before it does so for axisymmetric ones, provided the elasticity number ϵ ( De / Re ) is larger than some non-zero but small value (ϵ⪢ 0.01). In addition, as ϵ increases, different families of eigensolutions become responsible for the onset of instability. In particular, the azimuthal wavenumber of the critical eigensolution has been found to change from 1 to 2 to 3 and then back to 2 as ϵ increases from 0.01 to infinity (inertialess flow). In an analogous fashion to the axisymmetric viscoelastic Taylor-Couette flow, two possible patterns of time-dependent solutions (limit cycles) can emerge after the onset of instability: ribbons and spirals, corresponding to azimuthal and traveling waves, respectively. These patterns are dictated solely by the symmetry of the primary flow and have already been observed in conjunction with experiments involving Newtonian fluids but with the two cylinders counter-rotatng instead of co-rotating as considered here. Inclusion of a non-zero solvent viscosity (Oldroyd-B model) has been found to affect the results quantitatively but not qualitatively. These theoretical predictions are of particular importance for the interpretation of the experimental data obtained in a Taylor-Couette flow using highly elastic viscoelastic fluids.
Medical Emergencies In Psychiatric Hospitals

Patients with co-existing medical and psychiatric diagnoses can be challenging to assess, evaluate, and treat. Medical emergencies among psychiatric patients may receive delayed medical responses or remain undetected if medical emergency training and response are not in place, leading to negative patient outcomes, including death. The role of the psychiatric nurse is pivotal in recognizing and responding to acute medical complications in the inpatient psychiatric population. However, little research exists concerning the educational needs of psychiatric nurses on medical emergency situations or on the use of medical emergency treatment in psychiatric facilities. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania has recently launched specific guidelines and educational in-services for nurses and other health care professionals to utilize in determining the need for emergency medical treatment. Current data indicate these guidelines, that have psychiatric nurses playing an integral role, to be effective in improving patient outcomes in medical emergency situations. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the need for medical emergency strategies in psychiatric facilities and to stress the important role that psychiatric nurses play in determining the success of implemented medical emergency response strategies.
Transection of the lateral olfactory tract does not produce anosmia

Rats trained in an olfactometer were tested for retention of an odor detection and odor discrimination task after lesions of the olfactory peduncle. Large lesions of the peduncle, including transection of the lateral olfactory tract and anterior commissure resulted in severe deficits in retention and relearning but did not produce anosmia. Discrete lesions of the lateral olfactory tract had little or no effect on retention. The results indicate that the lateral and intermediate olfactory pathways are not essential for smell and suggest that significant olfactory function may be mediated by medial olfactory bulb projections.
Ultra-Stable Compact Optical Atomic Clock

We present results on a compact and ultra-stable optical clock using Calcium atoms with very short cycle times. A stability better than 3x10-15 at 1 second, averaging down to mid-10-16 at 200 seconds is achieved.
Self-Referral in Medical Imaging: A Meta-Analysis of the Literature

Purpose In the current political and economic climate, there is a desire to reduce health care costs; diagnostic imaging expenditure is one area of particular interest. The authors present a meta-analysis of the relative frequency of imaging utilization in the setting of self-referral compared with that of non–self-referral and a simulation of increased cost to Medicare Part B on the basis of this relative frequency. Methods The MEDLINE database was searched systematically. Specific inclusion criteria for relative frequency calculations were a numerator (number of patients imaged) and denominator (number of total patients seen) in each group (self-referrers and radiologist referrers). The relative risk of self-referral was determined for each group and is defined by the "relative frequency" of imaging utilization for the self-referrers divided by the frequency for the radiologist referrers. Relative frequency represents the increased (if >1) or decreased (if Results The initial search yielded 334 articles, 5 of which met the threshold for inclusion. In these 5 studies, 76,905,162 total episodes of care were analyzed. The individual relative frequency of imaging in the setting of self-referral ranged from 1.60 to 4.50. The combined relative frequency was 2.16 (95% confidence interval, 2.15-2.16) using the fixed-effects model and 2.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.90-3.24) using the random-effects model. For 2006 Government Accountability Office (GAO) data, the estimated cost of increased imaging in the setting of self-referral was $3.6 billion, but a range of costs was also provided to account for potential inaccuracies in the GAO data. Conclusions The existing literature yields a combined relative frequency of imaging of 2.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.90-3.24) for self-referrers compared with non–self-referrers. Precise extrapolation of Medicare Part B costs attributable to self-referral would require changes in reporting requirements for imaging equipment ownership. Cost simulation results total billions of dollars annually and may be irrespective of potential inaccuracies in the GAO data as a result of Current Procedural Terminology ® coding ambiguity and nontransparent reporting of equipment ownership.
Segmental renal artery emboli treated with low-dose intra-arterial streptokinase

Abstract Herein we describe a sixty-one-year-old man with unilateral segmental renal artery emboli treated with renal intra-arterial streptokinase infusion. The initial infusion rate was 9,000 units1hr. which was decreased to 5,000 units/hr. over the next six hours. Periodic arteriography demonstrated progressive lysis and virtual complete resolution after fifty-two hours of infusion. Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) six weeks later showed almost complete return of function compared with IVP obtained six years earlier. We have demonstrated successful clot lysis at an infusion rate of 5,000 units/hr., compared with reported rates of 25,000 units/hr. and without the frequently utilized initial large intravenous bolus. Such low-dose streptokinase infusion should, theoretically, limit the incidence of recognized dose-related complications and permit its use in clinical settings where higher dosages are contraindicated. Intra-arterial streptokinase therapy seems particularly suitable for the high surgical risk patient and in arterial lesions not amenable to surgery. The availability of this potentially efficacious therapy suggests that aggressive diagnostic studies be pursued early in patients suspected of having an acute renal arterial embolus.
Metabolic implications of a 'run now, pay later' strategy in lizards: an analysis of post-exercise oxygen consumption

Lizards and many other animals often engage in locomotor behaviors that are of such short duration that physiological steady-state conditions are not attained. It is sometimes difficult to estimate the energetic costs of this type of locomotor activity. This difficulty is addressed by considering as reflective of the metabolic cost of activity (C(act)) not only the oxygen consumed during the activity itself, but also the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and any excess metabolites persisting at the end of EPOC. Data from both lizards and mammals demonstrate that EPOC is the major energetic cost when activity is short and intense. This paper evaluates the major metabolic components of EPOC in lizards. We then examine how behavioral variables associated with locomotion (duration, intensity, frequency) can influence EPOC and C(act). Short and intense activity is much more expensive by this measure than is steady-state locomotion. Evidence is provided that intermittent activity of short duration can be more economical relative to single bouts of the same activity. Metabolic savings appear greatest when the pause period between behaviors is short. In contrast, endurance is enhanced by short activity periods and longer pause periods, suggesting a tradeoff between endurance and EPOC-related metabolic costs.
Models for human exposure to air pollution

Four models for human exposure to air pollution are discussed and compared. The simple microenvironment monitoring model measures pollutant concentrations at fixed locations, regarded as proxies for similar locations or microenvironments. Since this model does not require pollutant measurements on the individual level, it is easy to implement. However, the model can only be used to estimate the average exposure in a population, and it does not provide any estimate of the variability and distribution of individual exposures. The replicated microenvironment monitoring model provides some estimates of the variability and distribution. However, because of the possible discrepancy between the microenvironment concentration distribution and the individual concentration distribution, some adjustment might be necessary. Integrated personal monitoring allows direct estimation of the average exposure as well as the variability and distribution of individual exposures. Coupled with the appropriate time budget data, a regression analysis can be applied to estimate the contribution from each microenvironment type. However, possible collinearity problems might result in low precision in those estimates. Moreover, it might be difficult to adjust for a possible Hawthorne effect. Continuous personal monitoring has the advantage of recording exposure in each microenvironment type separately, allowing direct estimation of the average exposure as well as the variability and distribution of exposures in each microenvironment type. Moreover, it can also be conducted in conjunction with a two-stage sampling scheme, using information from a large data base on activity patterns, thereby making more efficient use of the monitoring data. It is also easier to adjust for a possible Hawthorne effect in this design.
Causal reasoning and backtracking

I argue that one central aspect of the epistemology of causation, the use of causes as evidence for their effects, is largely independent of the metaphysics of causation. In particular, I use the formalism of Bayesian causal graphs to factor the incremental evidential impact of a cause for its effect into a direct cause-to-effect component and a backtracking component. While the “backtracking” evidence that causes provide about earlier events often obscures things, once we our restrict attention to the cause-to-effect component it is true to say promoting (inhibiting) causes raise (lower) the probabilities of their effects. This factoring assumes the same form whether causation is given an interventionist, counterfactual or probabilistic interpretation. Whether we think about causation in terms of interventions and causal graphs, counterfactuals and imaging functions, or probability raising against the background of causally homogenous partitions, if we describe the essential features of a situation correctly then the incremental evidence that a cause provides for its effect in virtue of being its cause will be the same.
Islet allograft rejection by contact-dependent CD8+ T cells: perforin and FasL play alternate but obligatory roles.

Though CD8+ T lymphocytes are important cellular mediators of islet allograft rejection, their molecular mechanism of rejection remains unidentified. Surprisingly, while it is generally assumed that CD8+ T cells require classic cytotoxic mechanisms to kill grafts in vivo, neither perforin nor FasL (CD95L) are required for acute islet allograft rejection. Thus, it is unclear whether such contact-dependent cytotoxic pathways play an essential role in islet rejection. Moreover, both perforin and CD95L have been implicated in playing roles in peripheral tolerance, further obscuring the role of these effector pathways in rejection. Therefore, we determined whether perforin and/or FasL (CD95L) were required by donor MHC-restricted (‘direct’) CD8+ T cells to reject islet allografts in vivo. Islet allograft rejection by primed, alloreactive CD8+ T cells was examined independently of other lymphocyte subpopulations via adoptive transfer studies. Individual disruption of T-cell-derived perforin or allograft Fas expression had limited impact on graft rejection. However, simultaneous disruption of both pathways prevented allograft rejection in most recipients despite the chronic persistence of transferred T cells at the graft site. Thus, while there are clearly multiple cellular pathways of allograft rejection, perforin and FasL comprise alternate and necessary routes of acute CD8+ T-cell-mediated islet allograft rejection.
Frequency response of a dynamic system with statistical damping.

The object of the present study is to investigate the influence of damping uncertainty on the frequency response of a dynamic system with many degrees of freedom. A statistical linear model is presented which allows a probabilistic description of the response in terms of second-order statistics. The limits of validity of the linearization technique are investigated by means of a Monte Carlo simulation. An original hypothesis regarding the statistical correlation of damping coefficients is formulated. The theory as developed is applicable to different forms of damping and to other system parameters. A numerical example based on a five-degree-of-freedom system shows quantitatively the importance of an accurate estimate of the damping coefficients for lightly damped systems in the neighborhood of a natural frequency.
The Rural Marketing System of Egypt over the Last Three Hundred Years

I See in particular G. William Skinner, "Marketing and Social Structure in Rural China," Journal of Asian Studies, 24:1 (1964), 3-43; 24:2 (1964), 195-228; 24:3 (1965), 363-399; J. Riegelhaupt and S. Forman, "Market Place and Marketing System: Toward a Theory of Peasant Economic Integration," Comparative Studies in Society and History, 12:2 (1970), 188-212; Earl P. Scott, Indigenous Systems of Exchange and Decision Making among Smallholders in Rural Hausaland (Geography Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1976); Carol A. Smith, ed., Regional Analysis, 2 vols. (New York: Academic Press, 1976); Carol A. Smith, "How Marketing Systems Affect Economic Opportunity in Agrarian Societies," in Peasant Livelihood: Studies in Economic Anthropology, Rhoda Halperin and James Down, eds. (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1977), 117-46; R. H. T. Smith, ed., Market-Place Trade-Periodic Markets, Hawkers, and Traders in Africa, Asia, and Latin America (Vancouver: Center for Transportation Studies, 1978). See also the bibliographic and review articles of R. J. Bromley, "Markets in the Developing Countries: A Review," Geography, 56:2 (1971), 124-132; and Periodic Markets, Daily Markets, and Fairs: A Bibliography (University College of Swansea, Wales, 1974; Supplement, 1979); Carol A. Smith, "Economics of Marketing Systems: Models from Economic Geography," Annual Review of Anthropology, 3(1974), 167-201; idem, "Regional Economic Systems: Linking Geographical Models and Socio-economic Problems," in Regional Analysis, C. A. Smith, ed., I, 3-63; R. H. T. Smith, "Periodic Market-Places and Periodic Marketing: Review and Prospect," I and II, Progress in Human Geography, 3:4 (1979) 472-505; 4:1 (1980), 1-31. 2 For the Middle East, see Nigel J. R. Allan, "Kuh Daman Periodic Markets: Cynosures for Rural Circulation and Potential Economic Development," in Aktuelle Probleme der Regionalentwicklung und Stadtgeographie Afghanistans, Erwin Grotzbach, ed. (Meisenheim am Glan: Verlag Anton Hain, 1976), 173-193; Eckart Ehlers, "Dezful and Its Hinterland: Observations on the Relationships of Lesser Iranian Cities and Towns to Their Hinterland," Geography, 1:1 (1976), 20-30; Paul English, City and Village in Iran (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1966); H. Gaube et al., "Wochenmarkte, Marktorte und Martzyklen in Vordasien," Erdkunde, 30:1 (1976), 9-31; D. G. Norvell, Markets and Men in Afghanistan (Kabul: USAID, 1973); B. Oettinger, Die Wochenmarkte des Westlichen Mittelanatolien (Postgraduate thesis, Erlangen, West Germany, 1975); J. K. Thorpe, "Periodic Markets in the Caspian Lowlands of Iran," in Market-Place Trade, R. H. T. Smith, ed., 81-98; E. Wirth, "Periodic Markets and the Bazaar System in the Middle East," in Market Distribution Systems, E. Gormsen, ed. (Mainz: Johannes Gutenberg University, 1976). For Morocco, see Walter Fogg, "The Organization of a Moroccan Tribal Market," American Anthropologist, 44:1 (1942), 47-61. Francisco Benet, "Weekly Suqs
COMPONENTS OF GROWTH RATE VARIATION AMONG LABORATORY CULTURED LOBSTERS (Homarus)

Laboratory-reared juvenile lobsters (Homarus americanus) vary considerably in growth rate. Up to 30% of this variation appears to be heritable, but culture system, family by system interaction, and density differences within and between systems also contribute substantial growth rate variance. Results from split-plot analyses of growth variance among 8 families of full-sib juveniles grown for 90 days on live, adult brine shrimp at 3 temperatures (14°C ambient, 18°C, and 21°C; 2 replications) are in complete agreement with previous findings. Family, and by implication genotype, is a significant component of growth rate variance. Environment, however, plays an even more significant role. Density of lobsters in a system at the time of stocking new families affects growth of the younger juveniles adversely. Temperature produces expected fixed effects on growth rate with no evidence of statistical interaction between family and temperature. Replication over similar, but independent, experimental grow-out systems reveals added growth variance apparently due to uncontrolled culture system variables. Significant culture system x genotype interactions are also observed. Maternal influences and environmental effects arising from separate rearing of families until stage IV are confounded in the family differences observed in our growth studies. Two preliminary observations bearing on this problem show no evidence for a strong influence of larval history on juvenile growth. Implications from this study are (1) that selective breeding for faster growth of lobsters would probably be successful although genotype x environment interactions might make the breeding program more complex and costly; (2) that important, possibly density-dependent, environmental factors have not been identified or controlled in studies of lobster growth; and therefore (3) that much more research is needed to verify the biological validity of current concepts of high density, commercial Lobster aquaculture.
Robust Statistics: Theory and Methods

(2008). Robust Statistics: Theory and Methods. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 103, No. 482, pp. 888-889.
The natural history and treatment of delayed union stress fractures of the anterior cortex of the tibia

This study presents eight patients with stress fracture of the anterolateral cortex of the midshaft of the tibia. All of the patients, ranging in age from 14 to 23 years, were competitive basketball players who experienced pain while running or jumping for an average of 4.4 months before the diagnosis was made. Eight patients were treated with rest and/or pulsing electromagnetic field therapy. Although one of the patients required bone grafting procedure, all eight of these patients showed complete healing and were able to return to full activity after an average of 8.7 months of treatment. They have remained asymptomatic for an average of 14.7 months. The overall time from initial symptoms to return to competition averaged 12.5 months in this group of athletes. The results presented in this paper suggest that rest and pulsing electromagnetic field therapy may result in healing in some patients with delayed union stress fractures of the anterolateral cortex of the midshaft of the tibia. Although this injury is associated with a prolonged healing period, seven of eight patients with adequate followup in our study were able to return to competition without complications following treatment. One patient was asymptomatic for 33 months before experiencing a reinjury. In conclusion, we feel that diagnosis of stress fracture should be primary consideration in basketball players presenting with a prolonged history of pain on the anterolateral aspect of the midthird of the tibia. Once the diagnosis is made we recommend initial treatment consist of rest and external electrical stimulation for a minimum time of 3 to 6 months prior to considering surgical intervention.
A fusion of Lotus 1-2-3 and APL2

A fusion of the most popular computer program to date with one of the most. powerful and innovative programming language to date presents a great opportunity for synergy and accomplishment. Part of this synergy has been explored in the construction of an APL2 based prototype system called FUSION. The FUSION prototype has encompassed the ability to communicate with Lotus Development Corporation's 1-2-3 by way of the binary .WK1 file format.The following salient features of the FUSION prototype are discussed:• the modelling of a worksheet in APL2• the translation of Lotus 1-2-3 formulas to executable APL2 expressions• access to other host programs from the worksheet
Climate archives from 90 to 250 ka in horizontal and vertical ice cores from the Allan Hills Blue Ice Area, Antarctica

Terrestrial meteorite ages indicate that some ice at the Allan Hills blue ice area (AH BIA) may be as old as 2.2 Ma. As such, ice from the AH BIA could potentially be used to extend the ice core record of paleoclimate beyond 800 ka. We collected samples from 5 to 10 cm depth along a 5 km transect through the main icefield and drilled a 225 m ice core (S27) at the midpoint of the transect to develop the climate archive of the AH BIA. Stable water isotope measurements (δD) of the surface chips and of ice core S27 yield comparable signals, indicating that the climate record has not been significantly altered in the surface ice. Measurements of 40Aratm and δ18Oatm taken from ice core S27 and eight additional shallow ice cores constrain the age of the ice to approximately 90–250 ka. Our findings provide a framework around which future investigations of potentially older ice in the AH BIA could be based.
Multi-user quantum cryptography

Quantum cryptography applies the uncertainty principle and the no-cloning theorem of quantum mechanics to provide ultra-secure encryption key distribution between two parties. Present quantum cryptography technologies provide encryption key distribution between two parties. However, practical implementations encryption key distribution schemes require establishing secure quantum communications amongst multiple users. In this talk, we survey some of the state of the art quantum encryption deployment in communication networks. We will also discuss some common topologies that are being considered for multi-user quantum encryption networks. The performance of the multi-user quantum key distribution systems is then compared for four different optical network topologies: the Sagnac-based fiber ring, the wavelength routed, the passive star and the bus network. Their performances are compared and analyzed using quantum bit error rate analysis.
Measurement Uncertainty in the Calibration of Low‐flow Ambient Air Samplers

This paper considers the quality of measurement for a new standard used to assess ambient airflow measurements. The quality is quantified through the uncertainty associated in the measurements of this device. While guidelines are available for these analyses, this case study presents a set of additional challenges since the flow rate measurements are based on a linear relationship between two functions where the variables making up these functions are measured with non-negligible error. In order to estimate the parameters describing this linear relationship, it is necessary to account for the variability associated with these errors. Measurement error modeling approaches can be used to estimate the linear regression parameters and the associated uncertainties. Ordinary least squares procedures are simpler, but must be used with care since the estimates can be biased and the resulting uncertainties can be underestimated. Once estimates for the linear relationship are obtained, measurements from the device are used to calculate a predicted flow rate. Techniques are presented for estimating the uncertainty associated with this predicted flow rate. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The southern Benguela current region in February, 1966: Part I. Chemical observations with particular reference to upwelling

Abstract Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, nitrate and silicate were measured on sections off the Cape coast, St. Helena Bay, Roodewall Bay and the Orange River during February 1966. Active upwelling was found off the Cape coast but the process appeared to be quiescent on the other sections. The degree of activity and the age of the upwelled water were discussed in relation to the distribution of nutrient salts. The presence of Agulhas Water on the sections was discussed but not proven.
Long-term clinical efficacy and risk of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in octogenarians

Background:Radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). With improved safety, the therapy has been offered to increasingly older populations. Arrhythmia mechanisms, medical comorbidities, and safety may vary in the very elderly population. Methods:Patients presenting for AF ablation were divided into two groups [≥80 years (n = 35), 3 months following 1 + ablation procedures. Results:The type of AF was similar in both groups (paroxysmal: 46% in the older group vs 54% in the younger, P = 0.33). Older patients were more likely to have a higher CHADS2 score, coronary artery disease, and less likely to have had a prior ablation. The hospital stay on average was longer in the older cohort (2.9 ± 7.7 vs 2.1 ± 1.1 days, P = 0.001). There was no increased risk of peri-procedural complications. One-year survival free of AF or flutter was 78% in those >80 and 75% in those younger (P = 0.78). There was no difference between groups if the AF was paroxysmal (P = 0.44) or persistent/chronic (P = 0.74). Over a 3-year follow-up period, five patients died and four strokes occurred all in the younger cohort. Conclusion:Octogenarian patients, despite more coexistent cardiovascular diseases, have favorable outcomes after AF ablation measured by successful rhythm management. On an average their hospital stay is longer, but no significant increase in short- or long-term complications was observed. These data support AF ablation in select octogenarians. (PACE 2010; 33:146–152)
Analysis of atomic electric dipole moment in thallium by all-order calculations in many-body perturbation theory

A procedure is presented for calculations of double-perturbation problems in the coupled-cluster formalism. With use of this method to include to all orders the correlation effects of single and pair excitations, the enhancement factor R=-585 is obtained for the electric dipole moment (EDM) in atomic thallium. Equations for EDM perturbed single-excitation amplitudes are solved by diagonalization to take into account mixing between excited core states, and perturbed pair functions are introduced to incorporate correlation effects. Considering contributions from higher-order perturbation terms, we estimate the accuracy of the obtained enhancement factor is approximately at the 5\char21{}10 % level.
The role of stroma in immune recognition and destruction of well-established solid tumors.

Well-established solid tumors (at least 14 days old and >1 cm in average diameter) are extremely difficult to eradicate immunologically in mice. Most cancer patients that seek medical attention bear primary or metastatic tumors that have grown for longer and that are larger than the tumors we call established. Therefore, focusing research on the problems of rejecting well-established mouse tumors might help in the development of novel concepts and protocols for destroying tumors in patients. A particular problem with established cancers is that even when treatments induce temporary regression, cancer often recurs. Recent studies suggest that manipulation of the stromal microenvironment of these tumors can induce immune recognition and regression. Furthermore, targeting cancer cells as well as tumor stroma for immune destruction might be needed to prevent recurrence.
Scilab as an econometric programming system

This article reviews Scilab, a free MATLAB-like programming system. Scilab can be used for data analysis and applied numerical work in both research and teaching. Scilab is an interesting alternative to some commercial programming environments. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Pathogenesis, Induced Rodent Models and Lesions

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), the most common epilepsy in adults, is generally intractable and is suspected to be the result of recurrent excitation or inhibition circuitry. Recurrent excitation and the development of seizures have been associated with aberrant mossy fiber sprouting in the hippocampus. Of the animal models developed to investigate the pathogenesis of MTLE, post-status epilepticus models have received the greatest acceptance because they are characterized by a latency period, the development of spontaneous motor seizures, and a spectrum of lesions like those of MTLE. Among post-status epilepticus models, induction of systemic kainic acid or pilocarpine-induced epilepsy is less labor-intensive than electrical-stimulation models and these models mirror the clinicopathologic features of MTLE more closely than do kindling, tetanus toxin, hyperthermia, post-traumatic, and perinatal hypoxia/ischemia models. Unfortunately, spontaneous motor seizures do not develop in kindling or adult hyp...
Print, Video, or the CEO: The Impact of Media in Teaching Leadership with the Case Method.

Case teaching has the potential to involve students in complex decision settings, enhancing their identification with protagonists facing difficult challenges. This article explores the impact of teaching a printed leadership case study with and without the appearance of the CEO in class—by video or in person. Our investigation shows, via qualitative and quantitative means, that the leader’s presence, even through video, significantly affects student engagement and can substantially enhance impressions of leadership effectiveness. We offer implications for teachers and propose future research directions.
Alcohol as a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Aim To test whether alcohol is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Design and setting US epidemiological study using computerized death certificates, linked birth and infant death dataset, and Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Participants All SIDS cases (n = 129 090) and other infant deaths (n = 295 151) from 1973‐2006; all persons involved in late-night alcohol-related crashes (n = 135 946) from 1994‐2008. Measurements Three measures were used: the expected number of deaths on New Year versus the observed number (expected values were determined using a locally weighted scatterplot smoothing polynomial), the average number of weekend deaths versus the average number of weekday deaths, and the SIDS death rate for children of alcoholconsuming versus non-alcohol-consuming mothers. Findings These measures indicate that the largest spikes in alcohol consumption and in SIDS (33%) occur on New Year, alcohol consumption and SIDS increase significantly on weekends, and children of alcohol-consuming mothers are much more likely to die from SIDS than are children of non-alcohol-consuming mothers. Conclusions Alcohol consumption appears to be a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome, although it is unclear whether alcohol is an independent risk factor, a risk factor only in conjunction with other known risk factors (like co-sleeping), or a proxy for other risk factors associated with occasions when alcohol consumption increases (like smoking). Our findings suggest that caretakers and authorities should be informed that alcohol impairs parental capacity and might be a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome; in addition, future research should further explore possible connections between sudden infant death syndrome and alcohol.
Unravelling complex associations between testosterone and parasite infection in the wild

Summary 1. Testosterone has emerged as an important mechanism linking variation in male reproductive behaviour to parasite infection in vertebrates, and there are numerous pathways by which testosterone can influence infection risk, particularly in free-living animals. 2. The immunocompetence handicap hypothesis posits that the positive effects of testosterone on sexual signalling and behaviour are traded off with negative effects on immune function. While this obligate trade-off may sometimes explain the association between testosterone and parasite infection, testosterone–parasite relationships may also be mediated by correlated changes in stress, condition and exposure to parasites. 3. In this study, we explored associations between testosterone and reproductive behaviour, immune function and parasitism in free-living Grant’s gazelle (Nanger granti). In particular, we examined how stress (glucocorticoids), behaviour and condition might mediate associations between testosterone, immunity and parasitism. 4. We found that variation in endogenous testosterone in male gazelle was correlated with mating behaviour in terms of sexual signal intensity (horn size) and resource-holding potential (territoriality). We also showed that these same levels of testosterone were associated with immunity and parasite infection, but associations between testosterone, immunity and parasitism were complex. Testosterone was negatively associated with adaptive immunity, but positively associated with innate immunity. Relationships between testosterone and parasitism varied for different parasites. 5. Our results suggest that the effects of testosterone on male immunity are not universally suppressive and that immunoenhancement may also occur. In addition, testosterone–parasite relationships vary depending on the parasite, most likely due to the opposing effects of testosterone on different aspects of immunity and indirect effects on parasite exposure mediated by changes in behaviour.
Stationary modulated-amplitude waves in the 1D complex Ginzburg–Landau equation

We reformulate the one-dimensional complex Ginzburg-Landau equation as a fourth order ordinary dierential equation in order to nd stationary spatiallyperiodic solutions. Using this formalism, we prove the existence and stability of stationary modulated-amplitude wave solutions. Approximate analytic expressions and a comparison with numerics are given.
Evolvable Reconfigurable Hardare framework for edge detection

Systems on Reconfigurable Chips contain rich resources of logic, memory, and processor cores on the same fabric. This platform is suitable for implementation of Evolvable Reconfigurable Hardware Architectures (ERHA). It is based on the idea of combining reconfigurable Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) along with genetic algorithms (GA) to perform the reconfiguration operation. This architecture is a suitable candidate for implementation of early-processing stage operators of image processing such as filtering and edge detection. However, there are still fundamental issues need to be solved regarding the on-chip reprogramming of the logic. This paper presents a framework for implementing an evolvable hardware architecture for edge detection on Xilinx Virtex-4 chip. Some preliminary results are discussed.
Fecundity of Caenis (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae) in Elevated Water Temperatures

ABSTRACT The influence of elevated water temperatures on fecundity of Caenis sp. emerging from large outdoor channels was investigated during the summer of 1980. Four temperature levels were provided: Ambient (Tennessee River, U.S.A.), and approximately 3°, 6°, and 9° C above ambient. Number of eggs per female ranged between 212 and 1787 at all temperature levels. A median test indicated a significantly lower number of eggs in females from +9 channels than from the other temperature levels.
New diagnostic possibilities using HT fusion gammas during the NIF THD campaign

We are designing a gas-Cherenkov detector system1 for the NIF THD campaign. A very small fraction of DT fusion reactions produce a 16.7 MeV gamma ray instead of a 14 MeV neutron, the time history of the fusion gammas is an accurate representation of the fusion reaction history. Gas Cherenkov detectors with a gamma-to-electron converter can be tuned to be only sensitive to gamma rays above a certain energy. We will have a cluster of several Cherenkov detectors installed at NIF, just outside the target chamber wall. The multiple detectors will allow us to measure the time history for several different (integral) threshold energies, ranging from 3.5 MeV to 20 MeV. The HT fusion reaction (yielding an alpha particle and a 19.8 MeV gamma ray) is a very rare process in a typical fusion plasma, but the reaction has a 100% branching ratio to gamma rays, unlike the DT fusion reaction. A THD plasma with 0.5% deuterium will have a thermal reaction rate producing mostly 16.7 MeV gammas from the DT fusion, but if the fuel is dense enough to scatter a significant number of 14 MeV neutrons, there will be a high fraction of up-scattered MeV protons and tritons in the plasma. The reaction rate for DT is falling in the MeV energy range, the HT reaction rate is increasing by about 1000 times relative to the DT fusion for MeV ions, considering that most of the fuel is H and T. The energetic up-scattered ions will enhance the 19.8 MeV HT gamma production rate dramatically, making it the dominant gamma rate. Using the energy selective Cherenkov detectors, we can extract a number for the fuel rho-r or neutron down-scatter fraction, which is directly related to the number of up-scattered protons and tritons. A time dependent measurement of the HT to DT fusion gamma rate can be used to measure a time dependent rho-r for the THD fuel. It is a potentially clean measurement of the fuel rho-r, integrated over all angles. The signal is not contaminated by other reactions in the fuel.
Bacteremia in febrile nonneutropenic pediatric oncology patients

Background We sought to determine the risk of bacteremia in a cohort of outpatient febrile nonneutropenic pediatric oncology patients and to assess clinical characteristics that may influence decisions regarding empiric antibiotic therapy. Procedure A single institution retrospective cohort study was performed of outpatient pediatric oncology patients presenting with fever, a central venous catheter, and an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of ≥500/µl over a 6-year period. We also collected data regarding the presence of clinically evident infections, antibiotics prescribed, and the sensitivity of bacteria to specific antibiotics. Results There were 29 cases of bacteremia in 459 (6.3%) febrile outpatient visits by 167 patients. Bacteremia was documented in 4.4% of patients with ports and in 16.2% of patients with external catheters. Patients with external catheters had a relative risk of bacteremia of 3.7 (95% CI: 1.8–7.4) times the risk of those with internal catheters (P < 0.0001). A documented source for fever on exam was noted in 21% of patients but in none of the patients with bacteremia (P = 0.004). Empiric treatment with ceftriaxone was administered to 92% of the patients. Of the high-risk bacteremic infections (Gram-negative organisms, Streptococcus pneumoniae, viridans group streptococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus) 94% had at least an intermediate sensitivity to ceftriaxone. Conclusions Bacteremia is an important issue in febrile nonneutropenic pediatric oncology patients occurring in 6% of the patient visits in this study. The overall sensitivity of high-risk bacteremia to ceftriaxone provides justification for its empiric use in outpatient febrile nonneutropenic pediatric oncology patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010; 54:83–87. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Some validity concerns in nonexperimental program evaluation: a case study

It is acknowledged that educational research and evaluation is fraught with credibility and validity concerns, yet available research methodology literature has focused on "experimentally" designed programs although the greatest evaluation challenges are presented by non- "experimentally" designed programs that are already in place and which have been institutionalized. Acknowledging the fact that the nature of educational research is applied, heterogeneous, and multidimensional, the primary purpose of this paper is to provide a case-study insight into evaluating the longitudinal impact of a non-"experimentally" designed student cohorting strategy, which has been institutionalized in the Texas AM controlling for non-"experimental" treatment of groups; and identifying valid success indicators. Its objective is to discuss the validity concerns encountered from an applied methodological perspective. A full presentation of the evaluated program's outcomes is not within the scope of this paper; however the evaluation study is ongoing and a number of papers addressing program outcomes are in preparation.
Early and late response of the mouse limb to multifractionated X-irradiation.

Abstract Studies have been made of the response of C3H mouse hind limbs to various schedules of fractionated irradiation to elucidate the relative roles of repair and repopulation in determining early and late reactions. Early response has been measured in terms of desquamation and healing of skin covering the foot: late response has been evaluated in terms of deformity of the limb existing at 12 months after treatment. It was found that with 10 equal dose fractions, there was very little difference in response(approximately 6%) for early and late reactions, if treatments were given once, twice or four times per day. If the first nine treatments were given as small doses (200 rad compared with 400–700 rad per fraction) then the extent by which the dose must be decreased in reducing the fraction interval from 24 to 6 or 12 hr is 11% for the early reaction and 17% for the late response. In both cases the increased sensitivity changing from 24 hr to 6 hr fractionation intervals was greater (but not statistically significantly so) for the late than for the early reaction. Radiation given as 10, 20 or 30 "daily" fractions showed that, as overall treatment time increased: (a) the acute skin response (particularly the peak reaction) became less severe than predicted by the Ellis 12 formula, apparently because of rapid proliferation. (b) Late deformity reactions also became less severe at longer treatment times than predicted by the Ellis 12 formula although not to the same extent as did the mean early reaction. (c) The critical parameter determining tolerance as far as the early reaction is concerned is the dose per fraction rather than total dose for treatments given over longer times. A comparison of early versus late reactions showed that, at the longer treatment times, the late reaction was significantly more severe than was predicted from the early skin reaction.
Cavum septi pellucidi in first-episode schizophrenia and first-episode affective psychosis: an MRI study

A high prevalence of abnormal cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) in schizophrenia may reflect neurodevelopmental abnormalities in midline structures of the brain. The relationship, however, between abnormal CSP and clinical symptoms, and with abnormalities in other limbic structures remains unclear, as does the question of whether a similar abnormality is present in affective psychosis. Seventy-four patients at their first hospitalization, 33 with schizophrenia and 41 with affective (mainly manic) psychosis, and 56 healthy control subjects underwent high-spatial-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CSP on six slices or more on 0.9375-mm resampled coronal images was categorized as abnormal. The prevalence of abnormal CSP in both schizophrenic patients (26.1%) and affective psychosis patients (18.2%) was significantly higher than was observed in control subjects (8.2%). In schizophrenic patients only, larger CSP was significantly associated with more severe thinking disturbance and smaller left parahippocampal gyrus gray matter volumes. While the relationships between CSP ratings and clinical symptoms did not significantly differ between the two psychosis groups as assessed by the comparison of regression slopes, the association with limbic volumes appeared to be specific to schizophrenic patients. These results suggest that psychosis associated with schizophrenia and affective disorder share, at least to some extent, neurodevelopmental abnormalities involving midline structures and associated psychopathological consequences. However, the association between abnormal CSP and limbic systems may be more specific to schizophrenia.