cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Influence of Several Factors on a Cylindrical Response

Understanding the influence of several input factors on the relationship between bivariate responses with one directional and one linear component is an important part of some industrial applicatio...
Regulation of Subprime and Predatory Lending

This is an entry on the Regulation of Subprime and Predatory Lending for THE INTERNATIONAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HOUSING AND HOME (Elsevier Ltd, 2010). This entry provides a brief introduction to the explosive development of the subprime mortgage market. It then enumerates the abusive practices that were found in that market until it was effectively shut down at the outset of the ongoing credit crisis. It then reviews the limited federal and state legislative and regulatory responses to various abusive practices. It concludes that abusive practices will likely resurface once underwriting standards loosen, as they inevitably will.
Evaluation of BCDE©, A Microcomputer Program to Analyze Automated Blood Counts and Differentials

A microcomputer program (BCDE) has been developed to analyze automated blood cell counts and differentials' similarity to normal values or to 36 disease categories. In 50 normal subjects, the analytic program listed the correct diagnosis as the first diagnosis in 49 cases (the only diagnosis in 44) and second of two diagnoses in one case. In 182 subjects with known hematologic disorders, the correct diagnosis was listed first in 134 and second or third in an additional 40. Subjects with iron deficiency, heterozygous thalassemia, immune thrombocytopenia, anemia of chronic disease, reactive thrombocytosis, acute infection, and chronic leukemia had the disorder identified as the most likely one by the analytic program with both sensitivity greater than 80% and specificity greater than 98%. Subjects with acute leukemia, folate deficiency, sickle cell anemia, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and chronic liver disease had the disorder identified as most likely by the program with a sensitivity less than 80%. In a different 11 cases with known hematologic status, a panel of 37 physicians identified the disorder(s) or normality only 72% of the time, whereas the analytic program listed the correct diagnosis first in 10 of 11 (91%). The analytic program appears useful for both triage of normal from abnormal data and for the initial differential analysis of abnormal data.
Ratiometric NOE(−1.6) contrast in brain tumors

Recently, a new nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE)-mediated saturation transfer effect at around -1.6 ppm from water, termed NOE(-1.6), was reported to show hypointense signals in brain tumors. Similar to chemical exchange saturation transfer or magnetization transfer (MT) effects, which depend on the solute pool concentration, the exchange/coupling rate, the solute transverse relaxation rate, etc., the NOE(-1.6) effect should also depend on these factors. Since the exchange rate is relevant to tissue pH, and the coupling rate and the solute transverse relaxation rate are relevant to the motional property of the coupled molecules, further studies to quantify the contribution from only the exchange/coupling rate and the solute transverse relaxation rate are always interesting. The purpose of this paper is to apply a ratiometric approach to the NOE(-1.6) effect to obtain a metric that is more specific to the NOE coupling rate and the solute transverse relaxation rate than the NOE(-1.6) signal amplitude. Simulations indicate that the ratiometric approach allows us to rule out nearly all of the non-specific factors including the solute pool concentration, solute and water longitudinal relaxation rates, direct water saturation, and semi-solid MT effects, and provides a more specific NOE coupling rate- and solute transverse relaxation rate-weighted signal. Animal studies show that the ratiometric NOE(-1.6) decreases dramatically in brain tumors, which suggests that the change in the NOE(-1.6) coupling rate and/or the solute transverse relaxation rate are major contributors to the previously observed hypointense NOE(-1.6) signal in tumors.
Population Subdivision and the Frequency of Aflatoxigenic Isolates in Aspergillus flavus in the United States

Consumption of food contaminated with aflatoxin, from crops infected by Aspergillus flavus, is associated with acute toxicosis, cancer, and stunted growth. Although such contamination is more common in the lower latitudes of the United States, it is unclear whether this pattern is associated with differences in the relative frequencies of aflatoxigenic individuals of A. flavus. To determine whether the frequency of the aflatoxin-producing ability of A. flavus increases as latitude decreases, we sampled 281 isolates from field soils in two north-south transects in the United States and tested them for aflatoxin production. We also genotyped 161 isolates using 10 microsatellite markers to assess population structure. Although the population density of A. flavus was highest at lower latitudes, there was no difference in the frequency of aflatoxigenic A. flavus isolates in relation to latitude. We found that the U.S. population of A. flavus is subdivided into two genetically differentiated subpopulations that are not associated with the chemotype or geographic origin of the isolates. The two populations differ markedly in allelic and genotypic diversity. The less diverse population is more abundant and may represent a clonal lineage derived from the more diverse population. Overall, increased aflatoxin contamination in lower latitudes may be explained partially by differences in the population density of A. flavus, not genetic population structure.
Proposal and Realization of Vertical GaN Nanowire Static Induction Transistor

Vertical gallium nitride (GaN) nanowire static induction transistors (SITs) are proposed and realized for micro display for the first time. A top-down dry etch was employed to form the GaN nanowires with height of $\sim 1.5~\mu \text{m}$ and diameter of ~350 nm, followed by the SIT fabrication with the gate-all-around design which benefits are better gate control, combined with reduced surface area consumption for improved scaling and integration. Relatively low voltages are required for controlling the vertical current from source to drain. The $\text{I}_{\text {on}}$ to $\text{I}_{\text {off}}$ ratio is measured as ${2}\times {10}^{{6}}$ , which is ~900 times larger than the previous reported GaN fin SIT. These results demonstrated that vertical nanowire SITs by the use of undoped GaN which is typically the template layer for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will enable voltage-controlled components for new integration schemes and opportunities in micro display technology.
Groundwater Flow and Mass Transport by Finite Elements — A Parametric Study

The subject of saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers has been receiving wide attention for the past few years. Henry (1960) was the first investigator to obtain a steady state solution for the coupled flow and mass transport equations in an idealized, rectangular, confined aquifer by means of a Fourier-Galerkin double series expansion. His results confirmed the existence of saltwater circulation in coastal aquifers which had been observed earlier by Cooper (1959). Lee and Cheng (1974) utilized the Galerkin finite element technique to obtain solutions for the steady state, two dimensional saltwater encroachment problem. The governing partial differential equations, in their model, were written in terms of the stream function. Anand et al. (1980), using a similar model, investigated the saltwater intrusion problem for a wide, realistic, range of field parameters. In all these models the coefficient of hydrodynamic dispersion was considered to be a constant.
Unresolved Feelings: Notes on Pleasure and Pain from an Accidental Educator.

This essay – written autobiographically as a confession – charts uncomfortably and reflexively salient experiences and emotions of a queer educator of color. It unveils and analyzes unresolved feel...
Sentencing departures and focal concerns: The joint effect of race and gender on departures in United States district courts, 2014 – 2016

The current study aims to examine the joint effects of defendant race and gender on (1) downward sentencing departures (likelihood and length) and (2) upward sentencing departures (likelihood and l...
Promises of Silence: Contract Law and Freedom of Speech

To what extent should a person be able to contractually bind himself to keeping quiet? Should such promises be as readily enforceable as promises to sell cotton or paint a house? Or do they raise First Amendment or public policy concerns that warrant greater regulation? On the one hand, promises to keep quiet are routinely used by businesses to protect trade secrets and other types of proprietary information. Individuals also rely on confidentiality promises when they provide sensitive financial or medical information to service providers. On the other hand, promises to keep quiet are sometimes used to suppress speech about criminal or tortious conduct, or speech about embarrassing but important information. In this article, I explore whether these and other types of contracts of silence should be enforceable. My thesis is that contracts of silence threaten public access to information and, therefore, warrant careful judicial regulation. While recognizing that parties may voluntarily enter into contracts of silence, and that parties may receive separate compensation for their commitments to silence, I nevertheless recommend that courts deny enforcement to contracts when the public interest in access to the suppressed information outweighs any legitimate interest in contract enforcement.
Large-scale unsteadiness in a compression ramp flow confined by sidewalls

The complexity of a shock-wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction (SWTBLI) in the presence of sidewalls is investigated both qualitatively and quantitively in this work. Additional spanwise no-slip conditions led to the occurrence of secondary flows, which were not observed in the quasi-two-dimensional cases. Statistical analysis revealed asymmetric back-and-forth motion of the interaction across the midspan, possibly caused by the variation in the instantaneous size of the sidewall separated zones. Coupling between corner and centerline interactions was also observed as a result of higher confinement ratio.
Akiba's logic of indeterminacy

A standard approach to indeterminacy treats ‘determinately’ and ‘indeterminately’ as modal operators. Determinacy behaves like necessity; indeterminacy like contingency. This raises two questions. ...
Termination and Graduation in the Age of COVID-19: Lessons on Strength and Vulnerability

This chapter is a first-hand account of one educator’s experience supporting graduating Master of Social Work student-interns as they maneuvered the process of saying goodbye to clients during a time marked by uncertainty, heightened anxiety, and sudden changes. The chapter begins with an exploration of feelings and thoughts related to the pandemic as well as reactions to university decisions surrounding procedural changes to field/internship placements and to the general academic learning environment. This exploration highlights parallel process and shows the value of honoring direct, felt experiences during a crisis or traumatic event, especially at critical and poignant moments such as graduation and the ending of a therapeutic relationship.
Implementation of a new CTF method stability algorithm into EnergyPlus

This paper presents an application of a new stability condition for the conduction transfer function (CTF) method suitable for calculating thermal load attributed to heat conduction through building envelope surfaces. The stability condition is implemented and evaluated into to EnergyPlus, a whole-building energy simulation tool. In particular, the performance of the new stability condition is compared against the stability algorithm currently utilized in EnergyPlus for various wall construction configurations. The results of the comparative analysis indicate that the new stability condition is easier to implement, reduces the computational time, and expands the application range of the CTF method to heavy weight constructions when compared to the current stability algorithm of EnergyPlus.
Reliability modeling of capacitor bank for Modular Multilevel Converter based on Markov State-Space Model

since capacitors are the main components which cause failure in medium voltage and high voltage power converters, it is very essential to study and assess the reliability of capacitors within a converter. In this paper, the reliability modeling of the capacitor bank for the Modular Multilevel Converters (MMC) based on Markov State-Space Model (MSSM) is carried out and then within a determined case study, reliability of the capacitor bank is evaluated by considering both Aluminum Electrolytic (ALE) Capacitor Bank (CB) and film CB designs. Furthermore, the comparison among the reliability modeling methods i.e. Part-Count, Combinatorial and Markov Model has been done and it is shown that the Markov Model result by considering the fault tolerance and redundancy for the capacitor bank are expected to be more accurate and it has more pragmatic results with respect to the other reliability models.
Encapsulation and entity-based approach of interconnection between sensor platform and middleware of pervasive computing

In this paper, we present a unique mechanism that enables seamless interconnection and scalability of the interface between the sensor platform layer and the middleware layer in pervasive computing. The disadvantages of using one-to-one hard coding for various device drivers and firmware for interfacing sensor platform and middleware layers are primarily a lack of flexibility and scalability when the system changes environments. The encapsulation of access point of the sensor platform layer provides developers and designers with an effective way of interconnecting and scaling up with diverse and various kinds of sensors and actuators. In this paper, we define encapsulation of the access point of the sensor platform layer. The module for encapsulating the detected sensor data is called ‘context representer'. The context representer converts detected sensor data to raw context. For interconnecting with the sensor platform layer and the middleware layer, ‘entity manager' module in the middleware layer for each entity of context representer is defined. The entity manager is for transforming the raw context to a general context. Then, the middleware is able to interact with context-aware applications according to the reasoning with context in the middleware layer, upper layer requests and lower layer status, without being influenced by a change of sensor node and sensor platform environments. We present the encapsulation mechanism and entity manager for efficient interfacing and scalability of contextaware applications and compare them with other approaches.
On a Decentralized Control of Large-Scale Systems via Modal Aggregation

Local state feedback is used to design a decentralized controller for a large-scale linear time-invariant systems. The controller is based on modal aggregation of the system to the order of the subsystems. A computationally very efficient algorithm is presented. A 3-subsystem numerical example is used to illustrate the controller.
Abstract 148: Cortical Connectivity is a Powerful Predictor of Motor Recovery in Chronic Stroke

Introduction: Refinement of biomarkers and predictors of treatment response could greatly benefit restorative stroke therapeutics. The current study examined the performance of established biomarker/predictor measures in patients undergoing 4 weeks of therapy, and also examined performance of dense array EEG (d-EEG) measures of cortical connectivity. Methods: Twelve adults (mean age=54.0 ± 16.6 years) with chronic stroke and hemiparesis (Fugl-Meyer (FM) score=39 ± 12, range 23-56, max 66) underwent a baseline 3 minute resting dEEG recording (256 leads) as well as a 3T MRI scan, then received 4 weeks of telerehabilitation therapy. For dEEG measurement of cortical connectivity, mean coherence was derived for the high beta (20-30 Hz) frequency band, then partial least squares (PLS) regression was used to relate resting-state mean beta coherence to: (1) baseline impairment (FM score), and (2) improvement (change in FM across 4 weeks of therapy). Infarct volume and % corticospinal tract (CST) injury, measured on MRI scans, were also analyzed. Results: Arm motor status improved across the 4 weeks of therapy (FM change=4.5 ± 2.6, p=0.0001). Regarding biomarkers, CST injury correlated with baseline FM (R2=0.52, p=0.008), but infarct volume and age did not (p>0.05). Resting-state dEEG beta coherence correlated with baseline FM (R2=0.95); adding infarct volume and CST injury to the dEEG findings did not improve predictive strength. Regarding predictors, infarct volume, CST injury, age, and baseline FM each did not predict change in FM across the 4 wk of therapy (p>0.05). However, resting-state beta coherence, using a leave-one-out and predict validation procedure on the pre-therapy dEEG, predicted change in FM score with R2=0.74; adding infarct volume, CST injury, and baseline FM to the dEEG findings again did not improve prediction. Conclusions: The dEEG measures of cortical connectivity were strong correlates of baseline status and excellent predictors of behavioral improvement across 4 weeks of therapy. These dEEG measures compared favorably with established behavioral, demographic, and radiological measures. Resting state dEEG is a rapid, simple, safe method for studying brain function that performs excellently as a biomarker and as a predictor.
A systematic review of validated methods for identifying venous thromboembolism using administrative and claims data

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication. Large claims databases can potentially identify the effects that medications have on VTE. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the evidence supporting the validity of VTE codes. Methods A search of MEDLINE database is supplemented by manual searches of bibliographies of key relevant articles. We selected all studies in which a claim code was validated against a medical record. We reported the positive predictive value (PPV) for the VTE claim compared to the medical record. Results Our search strategy yielded 345 studies, of which only 19 met our eligibility criteria. All of the studies reported on ICD-9 codes, but only two studies reported on pharmacy codes, and one study reported on procedure codes. The highest PPV (65%–95%) was reported for the combined use of ICD-9 codes 415 (pulmonary embolism), 451, and 453 (deep vein thrombosis) as a VTE event. If a specific event like DVT (PPV 24%–92%) or PE (PPV 31%–97%) was evaluated, the PPV was lower than when the combined events were examined. Studies that included patients after orthopedic surgery reported the highest PPV (96%–100%). Conclusions The use of ICD-9 415, 451, and 453 are appropriate for the identification of VTE in claims databases. The codes performed best when codes were evaluated in patients at higher risk of VTE. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pattern response of dendritic cells in the tumor microenvironment and breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant neoplasm and the cause of death by cancer among women worldwide. Its development, including malignancy grade and patient prognosis, is influenced by various mutations that occur in the tumor cell and by the immune system’s status, which has a direct influence on the tumor microenvironment and, consequently, on interactions with non-tumor cells involved in the immunological response. Among the immune response cells, dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the induction and maintenance of anti-tumor responses owing to their unique abilities for antigen cross-presentation and promotion of the activation of specific lymphocytes that target neoplasic cells. However, the tumor microenvironment can polarize DCs, transforming them into immunosuppressive regulatory DCs, a tolerogenic phenotype which limits the activity of effector T cells and supports tumor growth and progression. Various factors and signaling pathways have been implicated in the immunosuppressive functioning of DCs in cancer, and researchers are working on resolving processes that can circumvent tumor escape and developing viable therapeutic interventions to prevent or reverse the expression of immunosuppressive DCs in the tumor microenvironment. A better understanding of the pattern of DC response in patients with BC is fundamental to the development of specific therapeutic approaches to enable DCs to function properly. Various studies examining DCs immunotherapy have demonstrated its great potential for inducing immune responses to specific antigens and thereby reversing immunosuppression and related to clinical response in patients with BC. DC-based immunotherapy research has led to immense scientific advances, both in our understanding of the anti-tumor immune response and for the treatment of these patients.
Measurements by Scattering Techniques, I

A nucleus which resonantly absorbs a recoil-free gamma ray is left in an excited state and returns to the ground state by emitting an identical gamma ray, which may be internally converted.
Integrating sphere for the measurement of reflectance with the Beckman model DR recording spectrophotometer.

The design and performance of a comparison type integrating sphere for the Beckman Model DR recording spectrophotometer is described. This instrument allows the measurement of total reflectance with an accuracy of about 1%.
Implicit and explicit training in the mitigation of cognitive bias through the use of a serious game

We examine the mitigation of two cognitive biases through a video game.We conducted an experiment (N=708) to compare the game to an instructional video.The game was compared to outcomes testing knowledge and mitigation of the biases.Explicit instruction improved familiarity and knowledge of the biases more than implicit.More exposure through repeated play enhanced learning. Heuristics can interfere with information processing and hinder decision-making when more systematic processes that might lead to better decisions are ignored. Based on the heuristic-systematic model (HSM) of information processing, a serious training game (called MACBETH) was designed to address and mitigate cognitive biases that interfere with the analysis of evidence and the generation of hypotheses. Two biases are the focus of this paper-fundamental attribution error and confirmation bias. The efficacy of the serious game on knowledge and mitigation of biases was examined using an experiment in which participants (N=703) either played the MACBETH game or watched an instructional video about the biases. Results demonstrate the game to be more effective than the video at mitigating cognitive biases when explicit training methods are combined with repetitive play. Moreover, explicit instruction within the game provided greater familiarity and knowledge of the biases relative to implicit instruction. Suggestions for game development for purposes of enhancing cognitive processing and bias mitigation based on the MACBETH game design are discussed.
Magnesium silicide as a negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Mg 2 Si was synthesized by mechanically activated annealing and evaluated as a negative electrode material. A maximum discharge capacity of 830 mAh/g was observed by cycling over a wide voltage window of 5–650 mV versus Li, but capacity fade was rapid. Cycling over the range 50–225 mV versus Li produced a stable discharge capacity of approximately 100 mAh/g. X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments showed that lithium insertion converts Mg 2 Si into Li 2 MgSi after lithium intercalation into Mg 2 Si. Electrochemical evidence of Li–Si reactions indicated that the Li 2 MgSi structure can be converted to binary lithium alloys with extensive charging.
Nitro analogs of substrates for adenylosuccinate synthetase and adenylosuccinate lyase

The reactivities of the nitro analogs of the substrates of adenylosuccinate synthetase and adenylosuccinate lyase, the enzymes which catalyze the penultimate and last step, respectively, in the pathway for AMP biosynthesis have been examined. Alanine-3-nitronate, an aspartate analog, was a substrate for the synthetase from Azotobacter vinelandii, having a kcat/Km which was approximately 30% that for aspartate. The product of this reaction was N6-(L-1-carboxy-2-nitroethyl)-AMP. Of nine other substrate analogs tested, only cysteine sulfinate (having 5.5% of the activity of aspartate) was reactive. These results demonstrate the strict requirement of the synthetase for a negatively charged substituent, with a carboxylate-like geometry, at the beta-carbon of the alpha-amino acid substrate. The lyase, purified to homogeneity from brewer's yeast by a new procedure, did not utilize N6-(L-1-carboxy-2-nitroethyl)-AMP as a substrate. However, the nitronate form of this analog was a good inhibitor of the lyase (Km/Ki = 28 when compared to adenylosuccinate), suggesting that it mimics a carbanionic intermediate in the reaction pathway. The avid binding of bromphenol blue by the lyase (Ki = 0.95 microM) was used for active site titrations and for displacement of the enzyme, in the purification protocol, from blue Sepharose.
Vellus hairs in the frontal scalp in early female pattern hair loss

Background: Dermoscopy of the scalp (trichoscopy) is a technique to evaluate the skin of the scalp and the hair disorders. It clinically helps to establish early female pattern hair loss (FPHL) without the need for more invasive techniques. Objectives: This work intends to demonstrate new adjunct criteria for the clinical diagnosis of FPHL by determining the number of short vellus hairs encountered in the frontal area of the scalp of female patients with FPHL. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the trichoscopy images from 45 women affected by FPHL in initial stages, at 20 fold magnification dermoscopy at 2 cm from the hairline into the frontal area of the scalp. Results: A total of 45 patients images included had more than 20% variability at dermoscopy, criteria utilized to diagnose and included them in the study. All patients were graded as Ludwig I severity, 14 patients had frontal accentuation. The average number of vellus hairs in the frontal area at 20-fold magnification of all patients was of 12.02 vellus hair in the frontal area. When comparing the Ludwid I pattern group versus the Ludwig I with frontal accentuation pattern group there was no statistical difference between the two clinical groups. Conclusions: All 45 patients analyzed in this study were clinically diagnosed with FPHL. The number of vellus hairs in the frontal area was greater than the average found in normal subjects. Most patients (80%) with FPHL had more than or equal to seven vellus hairs per 20-fold magnification field in the frontal area, therefore we suggest that the presence of more than 6 vellus hairs in the frontal scalp at 20-fold magnification can be used as an additional criterion of FPHL.
Bromodeoxyuridine substitution in mammalian DNA can both stimulate and inhibit restriction cleavage.

Abstract Total replacement of thymidine by 5-bromodeoxyuridine in mammalian DNA causes a 5-fold stimulation in the rate of DNA cleavage by Mbo I. This is the first report of the stimulation of restriction endonuclease activity by 5-bromodeoxyuridine and is in contrast to the inhibition found with other restriction enzymes. We propose a hypothesis to rationalize these results.
The Bactericidal and Protozoacidal Activity of Emetin Hydrochlorid in Vitro

While there are in the medical and dental professions differences of opinion regarding the role of Endamoeba gingivalis, Gros, in the etiology of pyorrhea alveolaris and. the efficacy of emetin in the treatment of this disease, as originally discovered and announced by Smith and Barrett1 and independently by Bass and Johns,2 and confirmed by numerous investigations by Smith, Middleton, and Barrett,3 Evans and Middleton,4 Chaplin,5 and others, experimental investigations, especially those of Vedder6 and Wherry,7 have shown conclusively the high amebacidal action in vitro of ipecac and its chief alkaloid emetin.
Power and Stability Properties of Resampling-Based Multiple Testing Procedures with Applications to Gene Oncology Studies

Resampling-based multiple testing procedures are widely used in genomic studies to identify differentially expressed genes and to conduct genome-wide association studies. However, the power and stability properties of these popular resampling-based multiple testing procedures have not been extensively evaluated. Our study focuses on investigating the power and stability of seven resampling-based multiple testing procedures frequently used in high-throughput data analysis for small sample size data through simulations and gene oncology examples. The bootstrap single-step minP procedure and the bootstrap step-down minP procedure perform the best among all tested procedures, when sample size is as small as 3 in each group and either familywise error rate or false discovery rate control is desired. When sample size increases to 12 and false discovery rate control is desired, the permutation maxT procedure and the permutation minP procedure perform best. Our results provide guidance for high-throughput data analysis when sample size is small.
Palladium Promoted Allylic Rearrangement Route to 6-Substitutbd 2-O-Acetyl-Hex-3-Enopyranosides

Abstract Readily available 6-substituted 3,4-di-O-acetyl-1,2-glycals have been converted to their 2-O-acetyl-3,4-dideoxy-hex-3-enopyranosides by a stereoselective alkoxypalladation followed by addition of sodium cyanoborohydride which effected a stereoselective and regioselective allylic rearrangement with chirality transfer. Using this reaction methyl 2,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4-dideoxy-α-D-erythro-hex-3-enopyranoside (13). ethyl 2,6-di-O-acetyl-3-4-dideoxy-α-D-erythro-hex-3-enopyranoside (15), β-(trimethylsilyl) ethyl 2,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4,-dideoxy-α-D-erythro-hex-3-enopyranoside (17), methyl 2-O-acetyl-3,4-dideoxy-α-D-erythro-hex-3-enopyranoside (19), methyl 2-O-acetyl-6-azido-3,4,6-trideoxy-α-D-erythro-hex-3-enopyranoside (21), methyl 2-O-acetyl-6-O-methyl-3,4,-dideoxy-α-D-erythro-hex-3-enopyranostde (20), methyl 2,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4,-dideoxy-α-D-threo-hex-3-enopyranoside (22), methyl 4-O-acetyl-6-cyano-2,3,6-trideoxy-α-D-erythro-hex-2-enopyranoside (24), methyl 4-O-acetyl-2,3-dideoxy-α-D-glycero-pent-2-enopyran...
Interview with David Norton

Purpose – To explore some of the theories presented in the latest Kaplan and Norton book Alignment: Using the Balanced Scorecard to Create Corporate Synergies.Design/methodology/approach – This interview and transcript is prepared by an independent writer.Findings – Presents David Norton's views on the balanced scorecard, the hall of fame, strategy and his academic life.Practical implications – Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/value – This is an independent interview which provides strategic insights into some of the theories of Kaplan & Norton's work on the balanced scorecard.
Current perspectives on the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: an individualized approach to treatment.

Purpose: The BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib has dramatically improved the prognosis for most patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Efforts to optimize therapy in CML have resulted in new and revised treatment guidelines or algorithms, which are reviewed here. Methods: Data were identified by searches of MEDLINE, PubMed, and references from relevant articles using the terms “chronic myeloid leukemia,” “imatinib,” and “tyrosine kinase inhibitors.” Articles published in English between 1996 and 2006 were included. Results: In this article we review consensus criteria for a therapeutic response and current expectations for CML therapy with imatinib, as well as the evidence supporting these recommendations. In addition, novel approaches to CML treatment are considered in light of the availability of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Conclusion: With the advent of novel agents capable of treating imatinib-resistant or imatinib-intolerant CML, it should be possible in the future to further refine treatment algorithms.
Design of Dyads with helical, cylindrical, spherical, revolute and prismatic joints

Abstract In this paper, an “equivalent screw triangle” is introduced from which the design equations can be determined for any combinations of helical, cylindrical, revolute, spherical, and prismatic joints for both finitely and infinitesimally separated position problems in kinematic synthesis. In addition to presenting a new and unified approach to previously solved problems, this paper presents an entirely new treatment of helical joints. The equations developed in this paper can be applied to the design of binary links for rigid body guidance, function generation and similar problems. A numerical example illustrating the design of H-H links is included.
Effects of multiplicative white noise on laser light fluctuations.

The steady-state statistical properties of the single-mode laser with multiplicative white-noise loss fluctuations are investigated. Analytic expressions for the intensity distribution and its moments are derived and it is shown that the multiplicative noise significantly modifies the laser characteristics. These predictions are then tested by photoelectric measurements of a He:Ne laser with fluctuating loss. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained.
Subcritical crack growth in two titanium alloys.

Measurement of subcritical crack growth during static loading of precracked titanium alloys in salt water using samples too thin for plane strain loading to predominate was examined as a method for determiningKIscc, the critical stress intensity for crack propagation in salt water. Significant internal crack growth followed by arrest was found at quite low stress intensities, but crack growth rates were relatively low. Assuming these techniques provided a reliable measurement ofKIscc, the value for annealed Ti-4Al-1.5Mo-0.5V alloy was apparently about 35 ksi-in.1/2, while that for annealed Ti-4Al-3Mo-lV was below 45 ksi-in.1/2. Crack growth was also observed in tests conducted in both alloys in an air environment. At 65 ksi-in.1/2, the extent of crack growth was greater in air than in salt water. Ti-4Al-3Mo-lV showed arrested crack growth in air at a stress intensity of 45 ksi-in.1/2.
Dinuclear (d(3)-d(3)) Diolate Complexes of Molybdenum and Tungsten. 1. Preparation and Characterization of Complexes Derived from 2,5-Dimethylhexane-2,5-diol.

Reaction of M(2)(O(t)Bu)(6) (M = Mo, W) with 3 equiv of 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-diol (LH(2)) in hexane/THF produces orange crystals of M(2)(m-L(3))(2), Ia (M = Mo), Ib (M = W), in high yield (80%). Treatment of M(2)(NMe(2))(6) with excess (>8 fold) LH(2) in THF/hexane solution at -20 degrees C produces exclusively green crystals of M(2)(m-L)(eta(2)-L)(2)(HNMe(2))(2), IIa (M = Mo), IIb (M = W), in high yield (75%). Dissolving IIa and IIb in toluene at room temperature slowly produces Ia and Ib, respectively, the process being accelerated by heat (t(1/2) = 10 min at 60 degrees C). Compounds Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb were characterized by (1)H NMR, IR, melting point, and microanalysis, and Ib and IIb were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. Addition of excess HNMe(2) to a solution of Ia or Ib at -50 degrees C does not produce any IIa or IIb after 2 months, but at +25 degrees C, 40% IIa and IIb are produced with HNMe(2) after 2 days. Crystal data for Ib: W(2)(m-L)(3) at -171 degrees C, a = 12.568(2) A, b = 12.568(3) A, c = 37.075(8) A, Z = 8, d(calcd) = 1.822 g/cm(3), space group I4(1)/a. The molecule Ib adopts an "ethane-like" staggered conformation with three eight-membered diolate rings spanning the W-W triple bond: WtW = 2.3628(11) A; W-O = 1.87 A (average). Crystal data for compound IIb: W(2)(m-L)(eta(2)-L)(2)(HNMe(2))(2) at -170 degrees C, a = b = 20.198(3) A, c = 17.819(3) A, Z = 8, d(calcd) = 1.629 g/cm(3), space group P4/ncc. IIb has two essentially square planar WO(3)N units connected by a W-W triple bond, WtW = 2.3196(12) A, W-O = 1.95 A (average), and W-N = 2.294(11) A, and one bridging eight-membered diolate ring. The other two diolate ligands chelate at opposite ends of the molecule forming two seven-membered rings.
Stereo frame decomposition for error-constrained remote visualization

As growth in dataset sizes continues to exceed growth in available bandwidth, new solutions are needed to facilitate efficient visual analysis workflows. Remote visualization can enable the colocation of visual analysis compute resources with simulation compute resources, reducing the impact of bandwidth constraints. While there are many off-the-shelf solutions available for general remoting needs, there is substantial room for improvement in the interactivity they offer, and none focus on supporting stereo remote visualization with programmable error bounds. We propose a novel system enabling efficient compression of stereo video streams using standard codecs that can be integrated with existing remoting solutions, while at the same time offering error constraints that provide users with fidelity guarantees. By taking advantage of interocular coherence, the flexibility permitted by error constraints, and knowledge of scene depth and camera information, our system offers improved remote visualization frame rates.
Focused stroke rehabilitation programs. Do not improve outcome

N eurologists have a growing interest in supervising the rehabilitation of patients with stroke and other neurologic diseases. 1 While it is a natural extension of what we do as physicians, inpatient rehabilitation is also a growing production: 72 free-standing and 423 critical care hospital units received $210 million in 1987 from Medicare, all of which was excluded from the prospective payment system. 2 As neurologists enter this stage, we should try to leave in the wings the chorus of rehabilitation specialists who lament that they cannot examine whether or not their programs improve important outcomes over those of the natural history of recovery, ie, when patients do not receive any therapy or when their therapy is nonspecific. A typical conclusion that was reached in 1 of the 38 studies that has published its outcomes in a refereed journal states 3 : Despite these methodologic limitations, this study confirmed the
Comparative pilot study evaluating the treatment of leg veins with a long pulse ND:YAG laser and sclerotherapy*

Background and Objective To date there have been very few side by side comparison studies of laser versus sclerotherapy in treating small leg veins. This study compares a long pulsed Nd:YAG laser with contact cooling to sclerotherapy for treating small diameter leg veins by evaluating objective and subjective clinical effects. Study Design/Materials and Methods Twenty patients were selected with leg veins ranging from 0.25 to 3 mm at two comparable sites. One site was treated with long pulsed Nd:YAG laser and the other received sotradecol sclerotherapy. The patients followed up at 8 weeks for another possible laser retreatment and 3 months following the last treatment. Photographs were taken pre- and post-operatively and at each follow-up visit and used for objective comparative analysis. The patients also completed a Quality of Life survey. Results Improvement was tabulated from the photographic assessment on an improvement scale from 0 (no change)–4 (greater than 75% clearing). The laser treated areas averaged 2.50 and sclerotherapy treated sites averaged 2.30. Patient surveys show 35% preferred laser and 45% choose sclerotherapy. Conclusion This pilot study demonstrates that the Lyra Long Pulse Nd:YAG laser can yield results similar to sclerotherapy in the treatment of small leg veins. Lasers Surg. Med. 30:154–159, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Estrogen, Testosterone, and Methamphetamine Toxicity

The gonadal steroid hormone, estrogen, can diminish the degree of striatal dopamine depletion resulting from methamphetamine. In this article, we describe the conditions of this estrogen neuroprotection as well as the potential for estrogen and testosterone to enhance methamphetamine-induced neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. When administered prior to a neurotoxic regimen of methamphetamine, estrogen significantly decreases the amount of striatal dopamine depletion in intact or gonadectomized female, but not male, mice. This capacity for estrogen to function as a neuroprotectant can occur quite rapidly, at 30 min prior to methamphetamine administration, and with relatively low doses of estrogen (1 microg estradiol benzoate). Estrogen remains an effective neuroprotectant in neonatally gonadectomized female mice treated with testosterone, but not in female mice that were gonadectomized prior to puberty. Nor does estrogen demonstrate any beneficial effects when administered after methamphetamine. Recent data have indicated some conditions where gonadal steroids can increase the extent of striatal neurodegeneration in response to methamphetamine. Specifically, when some existing perturbation is present in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, treatment with estrogen enhances the extent of striatal dopamine depletion to methamphetamine. Similarly, increased striatal dopamine depletion to methamphetamine is observed in gonadectomized male mice treated with testosterone.
Substance abuse treatment for juvenile offenders: A review of quasi-experimental and experimental research

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this systematic literature review is to assess the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment on alcohol and marijuana use for juvenile offenders based on existing quasi-experimental and experimental research. Additionally, a secondary aim is to compare the effects of individual-based interventions to family-based interventions. Methods A systematic search of literature and electronic databases through 2010 generated five experimental or quasi-experimental studies that assessed alcohol outcomes for juvenile offenders and five experimental or quasi-experimental studies that assessed marijuana outcomes for juvenile offenders. Results Overall, substance abuse treatment appears to have a small to moderate effect on alcohol and marijuana reduction for juvenile offenders. Interventions that showed the most promise were Multisystemic Therapy, Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care, Teaching Family, and Life Skills Training. Individual-based interventions and family-based interventions had similar small to moderate effects on alcohol and marijuana use. Conclusion This review highlights several promising interventions for this high-risk population; however, further rigorous study is desperately needed to provide a better understanding of what works best in reducing substance use among juvenile offenders.
Simultaneous Multi-Wavelength Laminar Optical Tomography Imaging of Skin Cancer

We report on a laminar optical tomography system developed for imaging skin cancer. The system simultaneously measures absorption at three wavelengths to extract depth resolved information for invasion depth determination and lesion boundary mapping.
Generating surfaces of daily meteorological variables over large regions of complex terrain

Abstract A method for generating daily surfaces of temperature, precipitation, humidity, and radiation over large regions of complex terrain is presented. Required inputs include digital elevation data and observations of maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation from ground-based meteorological stations. Our method is based on the spatial convolution of a truncated Gaussian weighting filter with the set of station locations. Sensitivity to the typical heterogeneous distribution of stations in complex terrain is accomplished with an iterative station density algorithm. Spatially and temporally explicit empirical analyses of the relationships of temperature and precipitation to elevation were performed, and the characteristic spatial and temporal scales of these relationships were explored. A daily precipitation occurrence algorithm is introduced, as a precursor to the prediction of daily precipitation amount. Surfaces of humidity (vapor pressure deficit) are generated as a function of the predicted daily minimum temperature and the predicted daily average daylight temperature. Daily surfaces of incident solar radiation are generated as a function of Sun-slope geometry and interpolated diurnal temperature range. The application of these methods is demonstrated over an area of approximately 400 000 detailed illustration of the parameterization process. A cross-validation analysis was performed, comparing predicted and observed daily and annual average values. Mean absolute errors (MAE) for predicted annual average maximum and minimum temperature were 0.7°C and 1.2°C, with biases of +0.1°C and −0.1°C, respectively. MAE for predicted annual total precipitation was 13.4 cm, or, expressed as a percentage of the observed annual totals, 19.3%. The success rate for predictions of daily precipitation occurrence was 83.3%. Particular attention was given to the predicted and observed relationships between precipitation frequency and intensity, and they were shown to be similar. We tested the sensitivity of these methods to prediction grid-point spacing, and found that areal averages were unchanged for grids ranging in spacing from 500 m to 32 km. We tested the dependence of the results on timestep, and found that the temperature prediction algorithms scale perfectly in this respect. Temporal scaling of precipitation predictions was complicated by the daily occurrence predictions, but very nearly the same predictions were obtained at daily and annual timesteps.
Lessons To Be Learned: The New York City Municipal Unions, the 1970s Fiscal Crisis, and New York City at a Crossroads after September 11

Soon after the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, New York City pundits, fiscal watchdogs, and politicians began to speak of a fiscal crisis looming over the city. Some compared the situation today to that of the city's last major fiscal crisis in the mid-1970s. In a New York Times editorial, Felix Rohatyn, the former US ambassador to France and prominent financier who played an important role during 1970s crisis, went so far to warn that the city possibly faces a worse crisis today than it did over twenty years ago.Felix Rohatyn, “Fiscal Disaster the City Can't Face Alone,” New York Times, October 9, 2001, A25. With such ominous talk came discussion of the possible need for large-scale layoffs, wage freezes, and significant cuts to the city's social programs.
Effectiveness and safety of small vs. large doses of enteric coated pancreatic enzymes in reducing steatorrhea in children with cystic fibrosis: a prospective randomized study.

Among cystic fibrosis (CF) centers, usual doses of enteric coated (EC) pancreatic enzymes vary from one to six capsules per meal based upon arbitrary criteria for stool and growth patterns. Large doses of non-EC enzymes are associated with increased serum urate (SU) and urinary uric acid (UUA) but data are unavailable for EC enzymes. This study compared the effectiveness and safety of a relatively large dose (patient's usual dose) versus a small dose (1/4 usual dose) of EC enzymes in nine nourished children with CF, regarding decreasing fecal fat and stool nitrogen losses and maintaining normal SU and UUA concentrations. A crossover study design randomly assigned large or small doses to two consecutive 7 day treatment periods within each child. Large doses of EC enzymes reduced steatorrhea and increased SU and UUA. SU was normal with both treatments and UUA was normal, i.e., 17 of 18 values were between the 10th and 95th percentiles for healthy children eating a normal diet. When fat excretion was greater than 10% with small doses of EC enzymes, large doses resulted in reduced fat excretion and normal UUA. These data suggest that large doses of EC enzymes reduce steatorrhea and are safe in patients who have malabsorbtion with small doses.