cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analyzing ENSO Teleconnections in CMIP Models as a Measure of Model Fidelity in Simulating Precipitation

AbstractThe accurate representation of precipitation is a recurring issue in climate models. El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) precipitation teleconnections provide a test bed for comparison of modeled to observed precipitation. The simulation quality for the atmospheric component of models in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) phase 5 (CMIP5) is assessed here, using the ensemble of runs driven by observed sea surface temperatures (SSTs). Simulated seasonal precipitation teleconnection patterns are compared to observations during 1979–2005 and to the ensemble of CMIP phase 3 (CMIP3). Within regions of strong observed teleconnections (equatorial South America, the western equatorial Pacific, and a southern section of North America), there is little improvement in the CMIP5 ensemble relative to CMIP3 in amplitude and spatial correlation metrics of precipitation. Spatial patterns within each region exhibit substantial departures from observations, with spatial correlation coefficients typical...
Structural and discriminant validity of the career factors inventory

Abstract Using a sample of 350 college students, this study examined the structural and discriminant validity of the Career Factors Inventory (CFI; Chartrand, Robbins, Morrill, & Boggs, 1990 ), a multidimensional measure of career indecision intended to be scored for two informational indecision components (Need for Career Information and Need for Self-Knowledge) and two personal–emotional components (Career Choice Anxiety and Generalized Indecisiveness). Results of confirmatory factor analyses and correlations revealed that: (a) the underlying structure of the CFI was similar for women and men, (b) the original four-factor model corresponding to the CFI’s scoring scheme demonstrated an excellent fit to the data, (c) a non-hierarchical two-factor model and a hierarchical model were both supported by the data, and (d) the CFI demonstrated evidence of discriminant validity. Implications for career counseling and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Optimal joint base station assignment and power allocation in a cellular network

We consider the problem of maximizing the minimum rate by joint BS assignment and power allocation in a cellular network. First, we show that the max-min fairness problem with fixed power vector can be solved in polynomial time. Second, we show that the joint design problem with the constraints that the SINR of each user is at least 0 dB is polynomial time solvable. The key is to transform the subproblem of BS assignment to a maximum weighted matching problem with weights {log(g ij )}, where g ij is the channel gain. Third, our transformation motivates a two-stage efficient distributed algorithm for joint BS assignment and power control. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms other existing algorithms in terms of the minimum achieved rate.
Prevention and reversal of progressive secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients maintained by hemodialysis

Abstract In a group of patients maintained by hemodialysis, serum calcium and phosphorus values were not restored completely to normal, but there was a progressive decrease in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration and prevention or reversal of roentgenographic evidence of subperiosteal bone resorption. Although bone biopsies did not show a return of bone to normal, it was clear that the decrease in bone resorption was a direct function of decreased secretion of PTH. None of the patients required parathyroidectomy; in three of the nine patients who died the parathyroids were normal at autopsy. Although some patients showed minor evidence of metastatic calcification, only two showed a slight increase in vascular calcification, and none of the autopsies revealed calcification of vital organs.
Kauṭilya on Moral, Market, and Government Failures

Theologians, moral philosophers, sociologists, political scientists, and economists have been debating, surmising, evaluating, and commenting for over two thousand years on the performance of the market as a harbinger of miracles or menaces. A considerable amount of intellectual energy has been devoted to finding answers to many fundamental questions, such as: Is the market moral (Blank 2004; McGurn 2004)? Has it been a civilizing force or a destructive influence on the moral foundations of a society?1 Each discipline offers its unique perspective, and scholars are spread all over the spectrum from pro-market to anti-market. Theologians and moral philosophers usually discuss the fairness aspect of the market. Pro-market scholars argue that the market allows freedom of choice and encourages creativity and entrepreneurship. Anti-market scholars, on the other hand, deplore the fact that those who do not have any purchasing power are excluded from the market. However, they often ignore Paretian efficiency considerations.2 Generally speaking, economists concentrate on the Paretian efficiency conditions when evaluating the performance of markets. The traditional view in the West, at least since Adam Smith, has been that unless monopolies, public goods, and externalities, and other contributors to market failures, were present, markets would remain efficient. Again, since the Sherman Act of 1 890, the traditional response to these market failures has been government regulation. Jonathan B. Baker discusses the "necessity and successes of antitrust enforcement" (2003: 27). However, the beneficial effects of antitrust laws have been challenged, particularly since the last quarter of the last century. Clifford Winston (2006) collects and synthesizes many empirical studies on market and government failures and concludes that the cure for market failure has often been worse than the disease. He lists shortsightedness, inflexibility, and contradictory policies as the causes of government failure to cure the market failure. The assumption underlying such an analysis has been that the
The optics of Jan van Eyck and Ibn al-Haytham

Ibn al-Haytham (Latinized as Alhazen or Alhacen) wrote nearly one hundred works on topics as diverse as poetry and politics. With his landmark seven-volume Kitāb al-Manāzir [Book of Optics], published sometime between 1028 [418 A.H.] and 1038 [429 A.H.], he made intellectual contributions that subsequently were incorporated throughout the core of post-Medieval Western culture, including its optics and art. We have used material from both the writings of Ibn al-Haytham and the paintings of Jan van Eyck in a workshop teaching modern optical principles to a variety of audiences.
Cancer vaccines: up, down, … up again?

In this issue of Blood , Di Nicola and colleagues report that vaccination of relapsed indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients with DCs loaded with killed autologous tumor cells induced a multifaceted immunologic response that correlated with objective clinical responses including 3 continuous
[Comment on “Old and new ideas visited for comet and asteroid hazard mitigation strategies” by J. Wakefield] Clarifying a few points about impact mitigation strategies

The article on impact mitigation studies [Eos, August 30, 1994] raises some interesting points about the hazard of asteroid and comet impacts but betrays a major misunderstanding of the mitigation strategies under study. It refers repeatedly to Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) or “Star Wars” systems and tries to discuss their merits without giving the reader any hint of what these mysterious new technologies are or how they may relate to mitigation of impacts. In fact, detecting, intercepting, and deflecting a kilometer-scale asteroid or comet at ranges from the Earth of tens of millions of kilometers has little in common with the missile detection and defense systems developed as part of the SDI program, no more than you would use a rifle to shoot down an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile. The one example mentioned, the Air Force GEODSS system of wide-field telescopes, was not a part of SDI. In addition, the article seriously overstates the current discovery rate of kilometer-scale near Earth asteroids, which are currently found at a rate of several per year, not several per month (the several per month refers to all near Earth asteroids found, most of which are less than 1 km in diameter).
A hierarchical approach employing metabolic and gene expression profiles to identify the pathways that confer cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells

Free fatty acids (FFA) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many obesity-related metabolic disorders. When human hepatoblastoma cells (HepG2) were exposed to different types of FFA and TNF-α, saturated fatty acid was found to be cytotoxic and its toxicity was exacerbated by TNF-α. In order to identify the processes associated with the toxicity of saturated FFA and TNF-α, the metabolic and gene expression profiles were measured to characterize the cellular states. A computational model was developed to integrate these disparate data to reveal the underlying pathways and mechanisms involved in saturated fatty acid toxicity. A hierarchical framework consisting of three stages was developed to identify the processes and genes that regulate the toxicity. First, discriminant analysis identified that fatty acid oxidation and intracellular triglyceride accumulation were the most relevant in differentiating the cytotoxic phenotype. Second, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied to the cDNA microarray data to identify the transcriptionally altered pathways and processes. Finally, the genes and gene sets that regulate the metabolic responses identified in step 1 were identified by integrating the expression of the enriched gene sets and the metabolic profiles with a multi-block partial least squares (MBPLS) regression model. The hierarchical approach suggested potential mechanisms involved in mediating the cytotoxic and cytoprotective pathways, as well as identified novel targets, such as NADH dehydrogenases, aldehyde dehydrogenases 1A1 (ALDH1A1) and endothelial membrane protein 3 (EMP3) as modulator of the toxic phenotypes. These predictions, as well as, some specific targets that were suggested by the analysis were experimentally validated.
Super dense carotenoid spectra resolved in single cone oil droplets

CONE visual receptors in reptiles and birds contain brilliant yellow, orange or red oil droplets, 3–6 µm in diameter, through which light must pass before reaching the visual pigment. The possible role of these brightly coloured organelles in colour vision has been disputed1–6. Their colours are thought to be caused by various carotenoids whose characteristically peaked absorption spectra in organic solvent extracts of whole retinas were first reported by Wald and Zussman7. In spite of this, subsequent workers have failed to identify the dramatic carotenoid spectra8 in individual oil droplets by direct methods of microspectrophotometry9–13. Instead, structureless cutoff absorbance curves reminiscent of commercial colour filters have been found to truncate at about one absorbance unit without any evidence of carotenoid spectral fine structure (Fig. 1).
lα25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-Like Component Present in the Plant Solarium glaucophyllum

The ability of an aqueous extract prepared from dried leaves of the South American shrub Solatium glaucophyllum to interact with a chick intestinal receptor system highly specific for the biologically active form of vitamin D,lα,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (la,25-(OH)2D3), was monitored under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. The pretreatment of chicks with the S. glaucophyllum extract reduced the amount of subsequently administered radioactive lα,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 localized in the intestinal chromatin fraction by 90% when compared with vitamin D-deficient controls. In addition, the active principle in the aqueous extract was found to compete effectively with lα,25-(OH)2D3 in a reconstituted intestinal receptor system in vitro. The plant factor(s) was found to be as effective as lα,25-(OH)2D3 in decreasing the renal 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-lα hydroxylase activity levels when administered to vitamin D-deficient chicks. By means of the in vitro intestinal receptor assay, it was possible to estimate th...
Ground- and Excited-State Surfaces for the [2+2]-Photocycloaddition of α,β-Enones to Alkenes

The potential energy surfaces of the ground state (S0) and triplet ππ* (T1) state for the cycloaddition of acrolein to ethylene have been mapped with ab initio CASSCF calculations and the 6-31G* ba...
Elevated cyclic GMP concentrations in rabbit bone marrow culture and mouse spleen following erythropoietic stimulation.

Abstract The effects of erythropoietin and hypoxia on cyclic nucleotide concentrations in erythroid tissue were evaluated. A rabbit bone marrow culture system and a mouse spleen model provided evidence that erythropoietin and an hypoxic stimulus which increases erythropoietin production may enhance erythropoiesis by initiating reciprocal changes in erythroid cell cyclic nucleotide levels. Cyclic GMP appears to be the active signal in mediating the response to erythropoietin, whereas cyclic AMP may be a passive signal allowing full expression of the cyclic GMP response. Whether the type of response mediated by cyclic nucleotides is proliferative, differentiative or both is not clear, but our data and that of other investigators suggest that cyclic GMP mediates the proliferative actions of erythropoietin.
Pseudo-Anosov maps and surgery on fibred 2-bridge knots

Abstract We study fibred knots by computing invariant laminations of the monodromy of the fibration and then computing the degeneracy type of the knot. We show that nontrivial surgery on a nontorus fibred 2-bridge knot yields a manifold whose universal cover is R 3.
Abnormal Peptidoglycan Produced in a Methicillin-Resistant Strain of Staphylococcus aureus Grown in the Presence of Methicillin: Functional Role for Penicillin-Binding Protein 2A in Cell Wall Synthesis

Abstract Upon the addition of methicillin even at relatively low concentrations (5 μg/ml or 0.3% of the MIC) to the medium, methicillin-resistant staphylococci shift to the production of a new peptidoglycan with an abnormal muropeptide composition which may be the synthetic product of penicillin-binding protein 2A.
Chromatography of methyl ethers of d-glucosamine

Abstract Identification of methyl ethers obtained by methylation and subsequent hydrolysis is a powerful technique for determination of linkage positions in structure studies of complex carbohydrates. Although methyl ethers of neutral sugars have been separated by various chromatographic methods, separation of methyl ethers of 2-amino-2-deoxy- d -glucose has been more difficult. Only recently, successful procedures for separation of methyl ethers of d -glucosamine based on thin-layer (1), gas (2), and column (3) chromatography have appeared in literature. We wish to report here a method for separation of d -glucosamine methyl ethers using a combination of partition and ion-exchange chromatography.
Identification of Two Rat Genes Orthologous to the Human Interleukin-8 Receptors

The genes encoding two functional human interleukin-8 (IL-8) receptors have been identified by molecular cloning techniques and they are members of the rhodopsin G-protein coupled receptor (GCR) superfamily. We report the molecular cloning of two rat GCR genes (rat CXCR1-like and rat CXCR2) whose conceptualized amino acid sequences are approximately 70% identical to the human IL-8 A and B receptor subtypes. The murine GRO-like peptide, macrophage inflammatory peptide-2 (MIP-2), elevates intracellular calcium levels in HEK293 cells expressing the rat CXCR2 receptor. Southern blot analysis of restriction-digested rodent and human genomic DNAs indicate that rat CXCR1-like and CXCR2 are: 1) each single copy genes in the rat genome; 2) most closely related to the human IL-8 receptor genes; and 3) orthologous to two previously identified murine genes. CXCR2 mRNA is detected in adult rat lung, spleen, and neutrophils. CXCR1-like mRNA can be detected in adult rat lung, native rat macrophages, and a rat alveolar macrophage cell line (NR8383). These data identify the rat orthologs of the human IL-8 receptors, and describe cellular and tissue targets of rat C-X-C chemokine peptides.
APPLICATIONS OF STATE EMPLOYMENT DATA TO TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

A major problem in transportation modeling is the acquisition of quality employment data. Employment data are used in transportation planning to model the journey to work and other types of trips, but they rarely are collected solely for transportation purposes because of the large expense involved. Census data, on the other hand, are inexpensive but are collected only every 10 years (although the American Community Survey provides some continuous data). This presentation outlines and assesses a process to develop systems and protocols for using an already-collected set of detailed employment data for an alternative purpose, transportation planning. Tapping this source may provide an ongoing, economical, and annual source of important transportation data that allows planners to better model and predict transportation needs, from the commuter and the business perspective. A better understanding of travel patterns, in turn, helps planners to evaluate investments in fixed physical infrastructure and public transportation. The data set also has valuable uses in other fields, such as workforce development planning, economic development, land use planning, and social service delivery. The success of this project required intergovernmental cooperation from several key partners.
Vesicular monoamine transporter substrate/inhibitor activity of MPTP/MPP+ derivatives: a structure-activity study.

The active metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), selectively destroys the dopaminergic neurons and induces the symptoms of Parkinson...
Accelerating Laboratory Learning Through a Phase Progression Model for Trainer Intervention

A T Group's capacity for learning need not emerge only at the group's "natural" pace, as trainers have so often assumed. Trainers can, and many do, use methodologies that accelerate a group's rate of learning. This paper describes one such methodology for accelerating a group's rate of learning: a phase progression model for trainer intervention.What follows is an example of how the author-trainer experimented in systematically using his understanding of T-Group phenomena to conceptualize and to point to a sequence of phases which might be optimum for a particular group in accomplishing its learning objectives. This example also illustrates one relatively simple technique for shifting a group's focus from one issue, or phase of exploration,' to the next. Taken together, the sequence of phases and the technique for shifting from one phase to the next comprise essential elements of the "phase progression model." A more exhaustive explanation of all the elements included in this example and a discussion of h...
Positively Charged Side Chains in Protein Farnesyltransferase Enhance Catalysis by Stabilizing the Formation of the Diphosphate Leaving Group

Protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) requires both Zn(2+) and Mg(2+) for efficient catalysis of the formation of a thioether bond between carbon-1 of farnesyldiphosphate (FPP) and the cysteine thiolate contained in the carboxy-terminal CaaX sequence of target proteins. Millimolar concentrations of Mg(2+) accelerate catalysis by as much as 700-fold in FTase. Although FTase lacks a typical DDXXD Mg(2+) binding site found in other enzymes that use Mg(2+) for diphosphate stabilization, D352beta in FTase has been implicated in binding Mg(2+) (Pickett et al. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 51243). Structural studies demonstrate that the diphosphate (PPi) group of FPP resides in a binding pocket made up of highly positively charged side chains, including residues R291beta and K294beta, prior to formation of an active conformation. Analysis of the Mg(2+) dependence of FTase mutants demonstrates that these positively charged residues decrease the Mg(2+) affinity up to 40-fold. In addition, these residues enhance the farnesylation rate constant by almost 80-fold in the presence of Mg(2+), indicating that these residues are not simply displaced by Mg(2+) during the reaction. Mutations at R291beta increase the pK(a) observed in the magnesium affinity, suggesting that this arginine stabilizes the deprotonated form of the PPi leaving group. Furthermore, binding and catalysis data using farnesylmonophosphate (FMP) as a substrate indicate that the side chains of R291beta and K294beta interact mainly with the beta-phosphate of FPP during the chemical reaction. These results allow refinement of the model of the Mg(2+) binding site and demonstrate that positive charge stabilizes the developing charge on the diphosphate leaving group.
PEPFAR's biggest success is also its largest liability

This article discusses PEPFARs biggest success--support for more than 2 million people on HIV treatment but is also its largest liability. It states that only some PEPFAR partners are doing an adequate job of monitoring and supporting patients on treatment and suggests that PEPFAR creates an incentive for partners to devote more resources and attention to patients already on treatment to ensure long-term success and to protect the publics health.
Interferometric chromatic dispersion measurement of a photonic bandgap fiber

In recent years several new classes of fibers have emerged based on the same basic technology platform-air/silica microstructures. While all of these fibers act as waveguides, each exhibit different optical properties leading to different applications. Out of these, photonic band-gap fibers are touted as the next generation long-haul transmission fiber. Since light propagates in air or vacuum, these fibers promise lower loss, lower nonlinearity and lower material dispersion. Low chromatic dispersion will undoubtedly be a crucial property of photonic band-gap fibers in long-haul applications. We will present experimental data that shows chromatic dispersion can be as low as tens of ps/nm/km at the transmission-spectrum center.
The evolution of new technology ventures over 20 years: Patterns of failure, merger, and survival

Abstract Relatively few studies of entrepreneurs have examined the evolution of business ventures over a long period of time. This paper summarizes the fate of 250 technology-based companies founded in Northern California during the 1960s. The three outcomes studied are failure, merger, and continued operation. In addition, interviews with a dozen founders of firms that survived the entire 20-year period shed light on the founders' own interpretations of why they succeeded. By 1988, 50% of the firms in the sample had failed, 32% had merged or been acquired, and 18% had survived as independent businesses. There was a steady and occasionally sharp erosion in the number of survivors throughout the period. A striking finding was that fully 78% of the surviving firms in 1988 still had one or more of the original founders in place. Among the factors predicting failure were product/market problems such as product timing difficulties, problems of product design, or inappropriate distribution channels; financial difficulties such as initial undercapitalization or problems with the venture capital relationship; and managerial/key employee problems such as imbalance in the management team or succumbing to the trappings of success. The firms in the data base which were subsequently merged or acquired exhibited a number of macro and micro characteristics. From a macro point of view, the merger/acquisition rates seem to have been lower than the national rate in the late 1960s, higher in the later 1970s, and similar in the 1980s. From a micro point of view, discernible patterns existed among acquired firms, such as size and year since founding. Interviews with surviving founders suggested that relations between founders, banking and credit problems, attempted takeovers, and international expansion were among the key crises that had to be overcome by the surviving firms. Of particular interest was the diversity of motives for founding the business reported by the survivors. In addition to the desire to achieve wealth or to be independent, we heard mentioned loyalty to a product or technology (which would otherwise disappear) and commitment to satisfying a customer group. Also noted were founders who indicated that their career as an entrepreneur came about primarily by accident. Five themes emerging from the interviews were characterized by the surviving founders as business lessons learned: (1) know yourself, (2) love your product, (3) honor your customer, (4) treat your people well, and (5) keep your integrity. The interviews, in conjunction with the data on surviving firms, are useful in expanding our understanding of the type of person that starts a business and why some start-ups succeed over the long term. Particularly noteworthy is the number affirms who survived without ever growing larger. Theories of long-term entrepreneurial success may need to take risk aversion into account.
Pathological evaluation of postmortem human eyes implanted with a new single-piece hydrophobic acrylic lens

Abstract Purpose: To report the pathological findings in 14 human cadaver eyes implanted with a single-piece AcrySof® (Alcon Laboratories) posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL). Setting: David J. Apple, MD Laboratories for Ophthalmic Devices Research, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Methods: Fourteen human autopsy eyes implanted with a single-piece AcrySof (SA30AL) IOL were evaluated. The eyes were sectioned at the equatorial plane, and the anterior segment containing the IOL in the capsular bag was evaluated from a posterior perspective (Miyake-Apple view) and from an anterior perspective (surgeon's view) after removal of cornea and iris. They were then processed through paraffin, sectioned, and stained with hematoxylin–eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and Masson's trichrome and examined under light microscopy. Results: All IOLs had symmetric in-the-bag fixation. Slight decentration was measured in 1 eye, which also had an anterior capsule tear. Grade 1 anterior capsule opacification was present in 9 eyes. No central posterior capsule opacification or posterior capsule folds were observed in any eye. Soemmering's ring formation was observed in 5 eyes. Zonular stretch caused by different degrees of capsular bag contraction was present in 4 eyes without decentration of the IOL. Conclusions: Analyses of pseudophakic cadaver eyes from the posterior (Miyake-Apple) view, complemented by microscopic analyses, proved useful in the evaluation of IOL–capsular bag interaction. These studies are more important in cases of newly introduced lens designs.
SU-E-T-417: Registration with and Without the Cranium When Using the ExacTrac System for Frameless Intracranial SRS

Purpose: To determine if the inclusion or exclusion of the cranium during image registration affects the delivery accuracy when using Brainlab Novalis ExacTrac (ExacTrac) for frameless intracranial SRS. Methods: Tests performed on a Varian TrueBeam™ STX linac with the 6D robotic couch ExacTrac system (0.6‐mm 3D mechanical isocenter accuracy established at acceptance). A head phantom with a 7‐mm dia. steel ball insert was the experimental subject. The hidden target was localized with the Brainlab H&N localizer. 1.5‐cm square fields were planned to treat the hidden target using the Brainlab planning system. The target was initially positioned at isocenter using the ExacTrac IR system. Then, stereoscopic kV images were acquired. The images were registered, using the bony anatomy, to the DRRs in two ways: with and without the cranium. Fifty‐one auto‐registration actions were performed to determine the residual registration uncertainty. Translational and rotational couch shifts were applied. Radiographic film captured the treatment field images at gantry angles of 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°, and couch rotations of 0°, 45°, and 90°. The experiment was repeated with the cranium digitally removed from the registration using the ROI tool of the ExacTrac software. The treatment field hidden target images were analyzed using RIT113 software. Results: The residual uncertainties of translational and rotational shifts were ±0.13 mm and ±0.13°, respectively. The center of the hidden target was within 1.0 mm of radiation isocenter for all gantry angles and couch rotations (range 0.15 to 1.0 mm) whether the cranium was included or excluded from the registration. However, registration without the cranium produced small but significant improvements in accuracy of treatment delivery based on two‐tailed student t‐test analysis (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Removing the cranium with the ROI tool may help improve the treatment delivery accuracy when using the ExacTrac system for intracranial lesions.
BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OBESE PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

We measured changes in physical activity in 2 obese preschool children when a package intervention was evaluated in a reversal design. Physical activity was measured via direct observation and pedometers. Although the intervention produced only modest increases in activity, the results provide preliminary concurrent validation for the dependent measures used, in that the two measures covaried and a similar degree of change was observed with each across baseline and intervention phases.
Examining health-related quality of life, adaptive skills, and psychological functioning in children and adolescents with epilepsy presenting for a neuropsychological evaluation

The purpose of this study was to characterize 132 children and adolescents (mean age = 10 years, 11 months) with epilepsy in terms of psychosocial functioning and to determine the extent to which adaptive skills and psychological functioning predict health-related quality of life (HRQOL), above and beyond demographic and epilepsy-specific characteristics. A chart review was conducted to obtain demographic and epilepsy-specific information as well as caregiver responses on the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2) Parent Report and the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE). In addition to Full Scale IQ and age at seizure onset, the BASC-2 Clinical and Adaptive Skills subscales also predicted HRQOL, indicating that this measure may be particularly helpful in predicting HRQOL above and beyond information routinely collected in a medical setting. It is imperative to evaluate children with epilepsy for psychosocial difficulties and diminished HRQOL to ensure the provision of comprehensive quality care and intervention services.
NON-RENIN-MEDIATED RENOVASCULAR HYPERTENSION: A NEW SYNDROME?

In two hypertensive patients with renal-artery stenosis, overactivity of the renin-angiotensin system was ruled out by investigations of renin and aldosterone concentrations and by the lack of a vasodepressor response to angiotensin blockade with saralasin. Nevertheless, hypertension was cured by renal revascularisation. The date suggest that there is a form of renovascular hypertension which is not mediated by the renin-angiotensin system.
Fast Nanoscopic Velocimetry for Micro/Nanofluidics

We presented two kinds of innovative velocimetry with high temporal and spatial resolution respectively based on the Laser Induced Fluorescence Photobleaching Anemometer (LIFPA) and Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) techniques. The temporal and spatial resolution has been for the first time achieved to 5–10 μs and 70 nm, respectively. To our knowledge, the temporal resolution is about 100× better than that of the state of the art microPIV, which is currently the most widely used velocimetry in microfluidics community. And for the first time, flow velocity distribution in a nanocapillary has been measured with a spatial resolution better than 70 nm.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Numerical evaluation of interface fracture parameters using adina

Abstract The problem of cracking at interfaces is pertinent not only to composite materials but also to structures with adhesive joints, thin films and coatings. Criteria are needed for the study of the crack growth scenarios in the interfacial region where relative magnitudes of the fracture energy for the constitutent materials and that of the interface play an important role in cracking behavior. Interface fracture occurs when the interfacial energy release rate G is equal to the interfacial fracture energy Γi, that is characterized as a function of the loading phase ψ. Therefore, for the analysis of interfacial fracture both the energy release rate (G) and the loading phase angle (ψ) must be evaluated. In this paper, a numerical method is presented to obtain the values of these two parameters at the tip of an existing interface crack. Numerical analyses of three models containing interface cracks are performed using the ADINA finite element program. In general, good agreement between the results from the numerical calculation and the analytical solutions is obtained.
Moving toward Culture-Inclusive Theories of Emotion

After a brief summary of the target article, this commentary touches on dangers of ethnocentricity in the study of psychological phenomena, a co-constructive metatheory for emotion-cognition relationships, and dangers of universality in the study of psychological phenomena. Cultural bias does present a problem in research. However, it is not clear that this bias can be avoided by a move to conceptual primitives as a means of searching for universals in emotion. Perhaps studies of emotion would be better served by considering emotion as obtaining from social co-constructive processes. Finally, it is not clear what the 'discovery' of universality provides to our understanding of psychological phenomena. While searches for universality may yield interesting findings, the pronouncement of universality does not.
Inhibition of receptor-mediated release of arachidonic acid by pertussis toxin

Abstract Treatment of guinea pig neutrophils with pertussis toxin (islet-activating protein; IAP) results in inhibition of N-formyl peptide receptor-mediated release of arachidonic acid and granular enzymes. Inhibition by the toxin is specific, in that responses to the calcium ionophore A23187 are not affected. The action of the toxin is not associated with alterations in cellular concentrations of cyclic AMP but is correlated with the ability of the toxin to catalyze the ADP-ribosylation of a 41,000 dalton membrane protein. This protein comigrates on SDS-polyacrylamide gels with the α subunit of G i , the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory component of adenylate cyclase. It is likely that this G protein is involved in receptor-mediated signal transduction in neutrophils by mechanisms that do not involve cyclic AMP.
Invasive Spindle Cell Thymomas (WHO Type A)A Clinicopathologic Correlation of 41 Cases

We report 41 cases of invasive spindle cell thymomas (World Health Organization type A). The patients were 16 women and 25 men between the ages of 38 and 80 years. Clinically, the patients had diverse symptomatology, including chest pain, cough, and dyspnea. None of the patients had a history of myasthenia gravis. According to the Mazaoka surgical staging system, 34 patients had stage II disease, 6 had stage III, and 1 had stage IV. Follow-up information showed that 30 patients were alive after a period ranging from 12 to 96 months; for 8 patients who are alive, the follow-up was less than 12 months; 1 patient died 10 months after initial diagnosis. For 2 patients, no follow-up information was obtained. This study stresses the fact that histologic features do not correlate with invasion or encapsulation because all thymomas, regardless of their histologic type, are capable of invasion.
Modelling the effect of changes in defect geometry on chemically active surfaces by the boundary element technique

Abstract The boundary element (BE) technique is used to analyze the effect of defect structures upon desorption processes on two-dimensional chemically active surfaces. The standard BE algorithm for diffusion is modified to incorporate the effects of bulk desorption, and an explicit scheme is proposed for the treatment of the non-linear equations associated with localized defect structures. The BE algorithm proposed here provides an elegant representation of the effects of localized non-linear reactions which allows arbitrarily oriented defect structures to be modelled without having to perform mesh deformation. A class of trapping reactions is assumed to occur along defect structures, and the effect of changes in defect geometry on the balance between the desorptive processes is explored. A number of interesting competitive/cooperative phenomena are observed to occur for the various shapes of defect geometry, including strong intrinsic competition in circular defect structures that form islands of nearly constant concentration, a redistribution of material along V-shaped defect structures in a way that reflects relative competitiveness of defects on opposite sides of the defect structure, and a reduction of competitiveness for defect distributions that are less regular in shape. The proposed BE algorithm is shown to provide a useful technique for modelling the effect of defect structures on chemically active surfaces.
The Seven Secrets of Successful Urban School Students: The Evidence Continues to Grow.

This article identifies seven specific attitudes, behaviors, and skills among academically successful urban Black students and explores the relationship to their achievement. This study examines the academic achievement of 157 Black students and finds that when specific Successful Learner Characteristics are present, above-average academic achievement is likely to result. This research further determines that when urban Black students demonstrate these characteristics they also share in greater responsibility for their own learning. Finally, this study concludes that there may be less of an “achievement gap” than there is a gap in attitudes, behaviors, and skills that lead to academic achievement.
The Pulsation Method for Generating Cavitation Damage

Abstract : Results are presented for the cavitation damage of materials by a laboratory procedure in which the cavitation is applied in an intermittent, or pulsed, manner. It is found that the rate of damage in materials sensitive to corrosion is much greater for pulsed cavitation than for steady cavitation when the cavitating liquid is salt water. The damage rate is also increased by the pulsed cavitation for these materials when the cavitating liquid is distilled water but by a smaller amount than in the salt solution. For corrosion insensitive materials there in no significant difference between the cavitation damage rate when it is applied in a steady or in a pulsed manner.
Context-Aware Defenses to RFID Unauthorized Reading and Relay Attacks

Many RFID tags store valuable information privy to their users that can easily be subject to unauthorized reading, leading to owner tracking, or impersonation. RFID tags are also susceptible to different forms of relay attacks. This paper presents novel sensing-enabled defenses to unauthorized reading and relay attacks against RFID systems without necessitating any changes to the traditional RFID usage model. Specifically, this paper proposes the use of cyber-physical interfaces, on-board tag sensors, to (automatically) acquire useful contextual information about the tag's environment (or its owner, or the tag itself). First, such context recognition is leveraged for the purpose of selective tag unlocking-the tag will respond selectively to reader interrogations. In particular, novel mechanisms based on an owner's posture recognition are presented. Second, context recognition is used as a basis for transaction verification in order to provide protection against a severe form of relay attacks involving malicious RFID readers. A new mechanism is developed that can determine the proximity between a valid tag and a valid reader by correlating certain (specifically audio) sensor data extracted from the two devices. Our evaluation of the proposed mechanisms demonstrate their feasibility in significantly raising the bar against RFID attacks.
FARM SUCCESSION IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

Summary Farm succession is an important issue for any farm family, for the future structure of farming and for rural policy makers. Despite this, it is a subject which is surprisingly neglected, particularly in terms of its socio-economic implications. This article, which is concerned with the European Community, outlines the state of our knowledge as to the possibility of existing farmers having a successor; the attitudes of farmers and their spouses to the continuation of the farm as a separate unit; and the economic factors which affect the level of succession. The issues raised are of particular interest because so many farmers are already elderly and therefore the question of succession is an immediate one, yet the prospects for farming are uncertain in many regions and on many types of farm. The off-farm employment opportunities are also limited, which means that family decision-making is more difficult than some years ago. Brief consideration is also given to the ways in which better information on farm succession could be of value in the formulation of rural policies. Zusammenfassung Die Frage der Hofnachfolge ist von Bedeutung fur die bauerliche Familie, fur die zukunftige Struktur der Landwirtschaft und fur die agrarpolitischen Entscheidungstrager. Dessen ungeachtet ist sie ein Thema, das uberraschender Weise stark vernachlassigt worden ist, vor allem was ihre sozio-okonomischen Implikationen anbetrifft. Der vor-liegende Artikel bezieht sich auf die Europaische Gemeinschaft und zeigt den Stand unserer Kenntnisse hinsichtlich der Fragen auf, wieweit die vorhandenen landwirtschaftlichen Betriebe uber einen Hofnachfolger verfugen, welche Einstellungen die Landwirte und ihre Ehepartner zur Weiterbewirtschaftung ihres Betriebes als selbstandige Einheit haben und welche Okonomischen Faktoren das Ausmas beeinflussen, in dem die Hofnachfolge gesichert ist. Die aufgeworfenen Fragen sind deshalb von besonderem Interesse, weil so viele Landwirte schon in einem hoheren Alter sind und die Klarung der Hofnachfolge in diesen Fallen dringend erforderlich ist, die Aussichten in der Landwirtschaft in vielen Regionen und Betriebstypen aber unsicher sind. Ebenso sind die auserlandwirtschaftlichen Beschaftigungsmoglichkeiten begrenzt. Dies bedeutet, das die Entscheidungen fur die Familien schwieriger geworden sind als noch vor einigen Jahren. Es werden auch einige Uberlegungen angestellt, wie bessere Informationen uber die Hofnachfolge in der Landwirtschaft fur die Konzipierung von Masnahmen in der Agrar- und Regionalpolitik wertvoll sein konnten.
1,25(OH)2 VITAMIN D FOR OSTEOPOROSIS

To the Editors: I am intrigued by the findings recently reported by Gallagher and Goldgar (1). They describe a significant increase in vertebral bone mineral density in patients with postmenopausal...
Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health Treatment Engagement among Female Sexual Assault Victims

Few female sexual assault victims receive mental health treatment following victimization. This is particularly true for ethnic minority women. This descriptive study examined ethnic differences in treatment need and treatment engagement in a diverse sample of 104 women (White, Black, Latina, and other) offered no-cost mental health services following a sexual assault. Despite equivalent or higher need for services, Black women were less likely (odds ratio = 0.17) than White women to engage in treatment in the year following assault. Results suggest that Black–White differences in help-seeking after sexual assault are not explained solely by differences in access. Further exploration of additional barriers to mental health care for Black women after sexual assault is needed.
Infrared reflectivity of high Tc superconductors

The unusual quasilinear drop in the reflectivity as a function of frequency ω in YBa 2 CU 3 O 7 is explained in terms of Fermi surface nesting (nFL theory) accompanied by electron-electron scattering of intermediate strength. The Drude dielectric function acquires a calculated damping {fx017-.FL} = ㆱ Max (2T,| ω| ) and effective mass {fx02mn*FL} (α, T, ω) which fit the reflectivity data well with α = 0.9 over a frequency range up to 8000 cm -1 (1 eV).
Pulmonary valve cusp augmentation with autologous pericardium may improve early outcome for tetralogy of Fallot

Objectives The transannular patch used to relieve right ventricular outflow tract obstruction in children with tetralogy of Fallot may result in pulmonary insufficiency. We hypothesized that pulmonary valve cusp augmentation with pericardium would decrease pulmonary insufficiency and improve the early outcome for transatrial–transpulmonary tetralogy of Fallot repair requiring transannular patch. Methods Since November 2001, 41 patients with tetralogy of Fallot and 2 patients with isolated pulmonary valve stenosis had relief of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction with either a transannular patch plus pulmonary valve cusp augmentation (n = 18) or a transannular patch alone (n = 25). Data were retrospectively collected. Results The median age (5.3 vs 3.2 months; P = .09) and weight (6.4 vs 5.2 kg; P = .3) were similar for the cusp augmentation and transannular patch groups, respectively. The diameter of the pulmonary valve annulus (6.4 vs 6.0 mm; P = .57) and the McGoon index (1.47 vs 1.69, P = .75) were also similar. The mean aortic clamp time (48 ± 18 minutes vs 52 ± 19 minutes; P = .46) and median cardiopulmonary bypass time (89 vs 91 minutes; P = .9) did not differ. One patient with a transannular patch died of multiorgan system failure. Patients with a pulmonary valve cusp augmentation had a shorter duration of intubation (1 vs 3 days; P P P = .001). Discharge echocardiograms demonstrated moderate or severe pulmonary insufficiency in 5 patients with a pulmonary valve cusp augmentation and in 21 patients with a transannular patch ( P Conclusions Augmentation of a pulmonary valve cusp reduces the incidence of clinically significant postoperative pulmonary insufficiency. This technique may improve the early outcome for children with tetralogy of Fallot requiring a transannular patch.
Spreading of Labrador sea water: an advective-diffusive study based on Lagrangian data

The pathways and timescales for the spreading of Labrador Sea Water (LSW) in the subpolar North Atlantic are investigated with an advective–diffusive model. The model’s mean flow and eddy diffusivity are derived from float measurements, while the region of LSW formation is obtained from hydrographic data. Two main export pathways for LSW are reproduced by the model: eastward into the Irminger Sea and southward via the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC). The mean interior flow field in the Labrador Sea is found to play an important role in feeding both pathways. In particular, flow into the Irminger basin is due to a cyclonic recirculation located southwest of Greenland while the export via the DWBC is partially maintained through an internal pathway, transporting LSW across the basin to the west Greenland coast. A region of high eddy kinetic energy west of Greenland tends to increase the flushing rate of LSW, but its impact is found to be limited. The residence time for LSW in the Labrador basin is estimated to be approximately 4–5 years, with 80% leaving via the DWBC and 20% via the Irminger pathway. r 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.