cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Duplicate inferior vena cava filters: more is not always better

Duplication of the inferior vena cava (IVC) has been reported in literature. This achieves clinical significance in the setting of lower extremity venous thromboembolism with a contraindication for anticoagulation. We describe a case of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis with duplicate IVC. Anticoagulation was contraindicated in this case leading to successful treatment with double IVC filters. We conducted a PubMed search for all current English language published literature, where filters were placed in the presence of duplicate IVC. We suggest that patients with deep vein thrombosis should have an accurate assessment of venous anatomy before IVC filter placement. Duplication of IVC, although rare, should be considered as this has management implications.
A Study of the Sampling Error in Satellite Rainfall Estimates Using Optimal Averaging of Data and a Stochastic Model

Abstract A method of combining satellite estimates of rainfall into gridded monthly averages suitable for climatological studies is examined. Weighted averages of the satellite estimates are derived that minimize the mean squared error of the grid-box averages. A spectral model with nonlocal, scaling, diffusive behavior at small distances, tuned to tropical Atlantic (GATE) statistics, is developed to study the optimal weighting method. Using it, the effect of optimal weighting for averaging data similar to what will be provided by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite is examined. The improvement in the accuracy of the averages is found to be small except for higher-latitude grid boxes near the edges of the satellite coverage. The averages of data from a combination of TRMM and a polar orbiting instrument such as SSM/I, however, are substantially improved using the method. A simple formula for estimating sampling error for each grid box is proposed, requiring only the local rain rate an...
Paleosalinity from trace metals in fossil ostracodes compared with observational records at Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Abstract The chemistry of closed-basin lakes responds directly to the hydrologic budget through evaporative concentration of dissolved salts, and the sediments of these basins contain several excellent fossil and geochemical proxies for past changes in water chemistry and salinity. The trace-metal content of ostracode shells, among the most promising of these paleosalinity methods, is further explored in this study of Mg and Sr partitioning in Candona rawsoni, a widespread ostracode of the North American Great Plains. The molar distribution coefficients KD[Mg] and KD[Sr] for this species, K D (Mg/Ca) CaCO 3 −0.004 (Mg 2+ /Ca 2+ )H 2 O =9.68×10 −5 ×T( ° C) K D [Sr]= (Sr/Ca) CaCO 3 (Sr 2+ /Ca 2+ )H 2 Oz =0.406 are determined from laboratory experiments in which C. rawsoni are cultured under controlled temperatures and salinities. Our formulation of KD[Mg] contains a correction term for excess Mg that is incorporated into the shell during early calcification. The accuracy of the distribution coefficients is tested against field collections of live ostracodes from a suite of 12 Dakota lakes. The KD-inferred values for (Mg2+/Ca2+)H2O and (Sr2+/Ca2+)H2O are in close accord with the same ratios measured in the lakes. A comparison of ostracode-reconstructed and historically measured salinities for Devils Lake, North Dakota, shows good agreement within the salinity range preferred by C. rawsoni (1–10%0), although salinity excursions beyond this optimum are poorly represented in the sedimentary record. In most lakes salinity is more readily inferred from (Mg/Ca)H2O than (Sr/Ca)H2O because Sr solubility is a complex function of several carbonate phases. As shown for Devils Lake, (Sr/Ca)H2O may not vary systematically with the salinity of some brines.
Optimal Morphological Filters for Pattern Restoration

A theoretical analysis of morphological filters, for the "optimal" restoration of noisy binary images is presented. The problem is formulated in a general form, and an "optimal" solution is obtained by using fundamental tools from mathematical morphology and decision theory.
Failure load of thoracic vertebrae correlates with lumbar bone mineral density measured by DXA

Fractures of the thoracic spine account for a large portion of vertebral fractures in the elderly, yet noninvasive measurements of bone mineral properties are limited to the L2–L4 vertebral bodies. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether bone mineral properties of the umbar spine correlate with the failure properties of thoracic ertebrae. Cadaveric lumbar segments were scanned using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) from both the latcrol and anteroposterior projections. Three-body segments L1–L3 and T10–T12 were then compressed to create crush tractures in the L2 and T11 vertebral bodies, and linear corelation analyses were performed to compare each DXA measure with the failure properties of L2 and T11. Lumbar BMD from the lateral view correlated significantly with T11 altimate load (r=0.94, P<0.001), as did lumbar BMD from the anteroposterior projection (r=0.83, P=0.001). Significant correlations were also found between both lumbar BMD and BMC and the stiffness and energy to failure of I'll. Furthermore, BMD and BMC measured at L2 correlated significantly with L2 ultimate load, stiffness, and energy to failure. We conclude that bone mineral properties measured at the lumbar spine provide a valid assessment of the compressive strength of both thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Lumbar BMD may therefore be used to derive an index for the prediction of thoracolumbar fractures to aid in the early intervention of vertebral fractures.
Perspective on the American Crime Problem

sity of Bonn during 1955-1956, I gave a course on the American Crime Problem. This experience naturally forced me to compare the American and German crime rates and to give some plausible explanations for our admittedly high crime rates and I gained, I believe, new perspectives on our complicated crime problem. Certain aspects of our cultural history, our frontier folkways, our definitions of crime, our racial composition, all are related to our crime problems in very special ways that Americans do not always recognize, and I wish to discuss them.
Is the work force vanguard to the 21st century a quality of work life deficient-prone generation?

Abstract This article presents the results of a nationwide Quality of Work Life survey of approximately 4000 employees conducted in a large, American-based computer manufacturing corporation. The focal age group described as the work force “vanguard” to the 21st Century (those workers who will be in their late 30s to late 50s in the year 2000) reported significantly lower quality of work life factor scores than three older comparison age groups. This result was found for 73% of the possible paired comparisons on 31 quality of work life factors. Furthermore, this pattern of results remained after the effects of employee tenure, hierarchical level, and salary range were partialled out. In our discussion we suggest that organizations need to continue to try new work-system approaches to meet the needs of this key century-spanning group. Also, these efforts need to move beyond the experimental stage, and must become an integral part of the total organization strategy. We further propose that new educational training opportunities could be provided, especially for: 1) the focal vanguard group in cognitive self-management skills, and 2) the key human resource strategic decision makers, regarding a) the characteristics of this century-bridging generation and b) new work designs that are responsive to their values and expectations.
Glycemic Control During Critical Illness: Tight or Not?

Nutrition Support Pharmacist features issues pertinent to the practice of clinical pharmacy in the area of metabolic support. In this review, a critical analysis of six current major intensive insulin therapy trials (Leuven I, Leuven II, Leuven III, NICE-SUGAR, VISEP, and Glucontrol) for critically ill surgical and medical patients is provided. Practical suggestions for managing hyperglycemia, defining an effective target blood glucose concentration range, avoiding hypoglycemia, and designing a safe and effective insulin infusion algorithm are given.
Maintenance and operating experience with diesel-electric locomotives

Four different makes of locomotive, totalling 197 units operating on over 3,000 miles of railroad, furnish the basis of this report on troubles encountered in diesel-electric operation.
Relating State-Dependent Cross Sections to Non-Arrhenius Behavior for the Cl + CH4 Reaction†

We have used information gained via differential cross-section experiments of the Cl + CH4 reaction in an analysis of measured thermal rate constants to determine the source of the observed non-Arrhenius behavior. Our results demonstrate that curvature in the Arrhenius plot at temperatures above room temperature can be explained by enhancement of the reaction rate when the symmetric or asymmetric stretch of CH4 is excited. At low temperatures, the apparent curvature can be explained by tunneling and modest reaction-rate enhancement by a low-frequency bending mode of CH4. An analysis of dynamical and thermal measurements of the kinetic isotope effect for Cl + CH4/CD4 indicates that tunneling enhances the reaction probability of hydrogen-atom abstraction by partially relaxing the steric restrictions for the collinear geometry of the transition state. This analysis provides an estimate of rate constants at low (atmospheric) temperatures that is higher than recommended values and provides a prediction of rate...
Assessing fusibility in enrichment methods for disparate customer data sets

Model fusion of results from disparate survey methodologies is a topic of current interest in both research and practice. Much of this interest has centered on the enrichment of stated-preference results with revealed-preference data, or vice versa, as it is considered that stated preference methods provide more robust trade-off information while revealed preference methods give better information about market equilibria. The motivation for this paper originates in the automotive industry, and is distinct in that it focuses on the reuse of existing data. Practitioners wish to glean as much information as possible from a large body of existing market research data, which may include minimally overlapping datasets and widely varying survey types. In particular, they wish to combine results from different types of stated preference methods. This paper presents two advancements in model fusion. One is a method for reducing data gathered in open-ended methods such as van Westendorp studies to a form amenable to analysis by multinomial logit, thus enabling the comparison of open-ended data to conjoint data on overlapping data sets. The other is a new statistical test for the fusibility of disparate data sets, designed to compare different methods of data comparison. This test is less sensitive than existing tests, which are most useful when comparing data sets that are substantially similar. The new test may thus provide more guidance in the development of new methods for fusing distinct survey types. Two examples are presented: a simple study of cell phone features administered as a test case for this research using both choice-based conjoint and van Westendorp methodologies, and a pair of existing larger-scale studies of automotive features with some attributes common to both studies. These examples serve to illustrate the two proposed methods. The examples indicate both a need for continued testing and several potentially fruitful directions for further investigation.Copyright © 2009 by ASME and General Motors
Design and implementation of the primary and secondary mirror control system for NST

The 1.6-meter New Solar Telescope (NST) will replace the 65 cm reflector that is currently being used at Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). Some technologies new to solar telescopes, including Active Optics, will be employed in NST project. The goal of Active Optics is to correct the low frequency telescope aberrations by adjusting the figure of primary mirror and the position of the secondary mirror. The Active Optics Control Subsystem (AOCS) is part of the Telescope Control System (TCS) for NST. The AOCS will cooperate with the Wavefront Sensing Control Subsystem to correct the lower order aberrations of the telescope system. When fully developed, it will work in close-loop. The wavefront aberration information will be obtained from the wavefront sensor and corresponding corrections will be applied to the primary mirror and the secondary mirror. In this paper, the design and the implementation of the AOCS will be described in detail.
Reconstitution of membranes with fractions of triton X-100 which are easily removed

Abstract Triton X-100 is a neutral detergent which is often employed for reconstitution of lipid-protein membranes. It is, however, difficult to remove entirely from the final reconstituted membrane preparation. We have analyzed the molecular components of the Triton X-100 complex of molecules that remain in reconstituted membranes which are prepared by, first, Triton X-100 solubilization and, second, by detergent removal with polystyrene beads and gel filtration. The analysis was performed with radioactive Triton X-100 and by silica gel chromatography. It showed that the components of Triton X-100 that are difficult to remove from a membrane are the high- and low-molecular-weight ones. Using only an intermediate-molecular-weight, radioactive Triton, lipids and Sindbis virus envelope proteins have been solubilized and used to prepare reconstituted membranes which retain half as many Triton/lipid molecules, or one-fifth as many Triton/protein molecules as do vesicles prepared with complete Triton X-100. The membranes prepared with fractionated Triton are also of more homogeneous size, by gel chromatography, than are membranes prepared with unfractionated Triton.
Elevated Serum Cardiac Troponin I Level in a Patient after a Grand Mal Seizure and with No Evidence of Cardiac Disease

The World Health Organization recognizes biochemical markers of myocardial injury as one of the three criteria for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. We report the first case of elevated troponin I in a patient after a grand mal seizure in the hospital, with no evidence of myocardial infarction and no rhabdomyolysis. Cardiac catheterization and two-dimensional echocardiographic findings were normal. Four months later, the patient was readmitted, again having experienced a grand mal seizure. She was asymptomatic for cardiac disease in both instances. There was a temporal correlation between troponin I levels and seizures. Studies have shown that a troponin level above 3.5 ng/mL implies significant myocardial injury. Our patient had troponin I values as high as 5.5 ng/mL and 6.3 ng/mL. This case implies that troponin I can be significantly increased after a grand mal seizure, and with low clinical suspicion for myocardial injury this abnormality should be disregarded.
Update in germ cell tumours.

Purpose of review The purpose of this study is to update the reader on advances in postpubertal male germ cell tumours (GCTs) over the last 18 months. Recent findings Single nucleotide polymorphisms, including in four sex-determination genes, have been identified as additional genetic susceptibility loci to testicular GCT development. New insights into cisplatin resistance implicate the PDGFR-PIK3CA-AKT and RAS pathways. Circulating tumour cells and circulating microRNAs are potential new biomarkers. In clinical stage I (CS-I) GCT, two large studies have confirmed the excellent outcomes achieved with surveillance, which is now the management option of choice for CS I-A nonseminoma and all CS-I seminomas; CS I-B nonseminoma remains controversial. First-line trials of dose-dense multidrug regimens reported promising results but have not yet supplanted BEPx4. Survivorship issues, including secondary malignancies from chemotherapy, remain important in this disease and are a continuing focus of ongoing research. Summary Important research questions remain across all aspects of GCT. The next decade is likely to produce many new and exciting discoveries that will benefit GCT patients.
Standardized Information for Living Liver Donors

report that Internet Web sites are highly vari-able in the quality of the information presented on liv-ing liver donation. Accordingly, prospective donorsmay not have access to desired or established risk in-formation. They conclude that ‘‘there is an urgentneed to produce a Web site compliant with interna-tional standards for the quality of donor information.’’This call for standardized information for living liverdonors is both timely and highly important for drivingthe ﬁeld of living donation toward more effective andethically sound informed consent practices. Providingessential information to prospective living liver donorsis necessary to optimize their understanding andensure that they are fully prepared to undergo thedonation process.
Properties of nucleating systems

Abstract A brief review of the various theories of bone mineralization is presented. It is not clear at present whether the many mineralization events which have been proposed are redundant or cooperative. A short description is given of homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation of solids from solution and how these mechanisms affect hydroxyapatite formation, in vitro and in vivo . The remainder of the paper deals with specific experiments by the authors on (a) the stabilization of amorphous calcium phosphate and (b) the inhibitory role of proteoglycans in preventing cartilage mineralization. Stable amorphous calcium phosphate is found in the mitochondria of cells involved in tissue mineralization. In addition, it is believed that in bone mineral deposition an unstable amorphous calcium phosphate is formed first before transforming to bone apatite. A number of chemical species have been shown to act as stabilizers of amorphous calcium phosphate. The example given here in detail is the stabilization of the amorphous granules found in mitochondria by a mixture of Mg and adenosine triphosphate. The effect of proteoglycan aggregates and subunits from calcifying and non-calcifying cartilage was observed on the following two hydroxyapatite formation systems: (a) transformation of amorphous calcium phosphate to hydroxyapatite; (b) direct precipitation of hydroxyapatite from supersaturated calcium phosphate solutions. The aggregates were more effective inhibitors of apatite formation in both test systems, than equal weight solutions of subunits, but the subunit also delayed apatite formation. This suggests that in the epipryseal growth plate even the proteoglycan subunit must be removed by diffusion or enzyme cleavage for cartilage calcification to take place.
Clinical psychopharmacology of borderline personality disorder: an update on the available evidence in light of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - 5.

Purpose of reviewClinical considerations for evidence-based treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) are outlined in the context of the best available evidence, discussed with reference to BPD traits currently identified in the upcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Characteristics in youth predisposing to fatal stroke in later years.

Abstract College medical and other records of 171 males who subsequently died from a stroke and 684 of their surviving classmates revealed seven precursors of fatal stroke. These were cigarette smoking, higher blood-pressure, lower ponderal index, shorter body stature, early parental death, heart consciousness, and non-participation in sports. Correlations between these precursive characteristics and fatal stroke were sustained when decedents were distributed by age at death, and they were intensified when combinations of precursors were assessed. In general the findings for stroke paralleled those of studies of fatal coronary heart-disease in a similar population.
Television, physical activity, diet, and body weight status: the ARIC cohort

Television (TV) watching is the most common leisure activity in the United States. Few studies of adults have described the relationship between TV and health behaviors such as physical activity, diet, and body weight status. Extant data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study were analyzed to assess the association of TV with physical activity, diet, and body mass index (BMI) among 15,574 adults at baseline (1986–89) and 12,678 adults six years later. Television, physical activity, and diet were collected with questionnaires and BMI was measured at both time points. Based on baseline TV exposure, adults were categorized into high, medium, and low TV exposure. Linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for gender, age, race-center, smoking, education, and general health. Relative to participants who had low TV exposure, those with high TV exposure were more likely to be less physically active and have a poorer dietary profile at baseline and six-years later. Participants with high TV exposure at baseline had a 40% and 31% greater odds of being considered insufficiently active at baseline (1.40, 95% CI 1.26, 1.55), and six years later (1.31, 95% CI 1.18, 1.46). At baseline, high TV exposure was also associated with a 20% to 30% greater odds of being above the median for servings of salty snacks (1.37, 95% CI 1.24, 1.51), sweets (1.26, 95% CI 1.15, 1.38), and sweetened drinks (1.29, 95% CI 1.17, 1.42), and below the median for fruit and vegetable servings (1.36, 95% CI 1.24, 1.50). Higher TV exposure was also cross-sectionally associated with a greater odds for being overweight or obese (1.43, 95% CI 1.29, 1.58). Similar associations were observed between baseline TV exposure and six-year physical activity and diet, but were not observed with BMI after six years follow-up. These results support the hypothesis that time spent watching TV is associated with deleterious effects on physical activity, diet, and BMI.
eXtreme chirped pulse oscillator operating in the nanosecond stretched pulse regime.

An eXtreme Chirped Pulse Oscillator (XCPO) implemented with a Theta cavity and based on a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is presented for generating 10ns frequency-swept pulses and 3.6ps compressed pulses directly from the oscillator. In this experiment, we show the two distinct characteristics of the XCPO which are the scalability of the output energy and the mode-locked spectrum. By using these characteristics, we obtain a pulse energy of 58.4pJ from the stretched pulse and a mode-locked optical bandwidth of 14.6nm (10dB) directly from the oscillator. The laser cavity design allows for low repetition rate operation <100MHz, as well. The cavity, significantly, reduces nonlinear carrier dynamics, integrated self phase modulation (SPM), and fast gain recovery in an SOA. Due to the laser’s ability to generate directly frequency-swept pulses from the oscillator, this oscillator can be used for high speed frequency-swept optical coherence tomography (OCT) and time-stretched photonic analog to digital converters (P-ADC).
Harmonic oscillator basis functions and Gaussian model potentials for the analysis of anharmonic vibrations

Potential energy surfaces are mapped onto expansions in Gaussian basis functions in order to examine vibrational anharmonicity in molecules; the Gaussian expansions are constructed to take many-body effects into account. Subsequent quantum mechanical analyses using harmonic oscillator basis sets are carried out. The appropriate matrix elements needed for the analyses follow using Talmi transformations and several standard integrals involving harmonic oscillator basis functions. Local anharmonicity can be explored with relatively modest expansions of the potential energy surfaces. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001
Phonological Universals in Early Childhood: Evidence from Sonority Restrictions

Across languages, onsets with large sonority distances are preferred to those with smaller distances (e.g., bw>bd>lb; Greenberg, 1978). Optimality theory (Prince & Smolensky, 2004) attributes such facts to grammatical restrictions that are universally active in all grammars. To test this hypothesis, here, we examine whether children extend putatively universal sonority restrictions to onsets unattested in their language. Participants (M=4;04 years) were presented with pairs of auditory words-either identical (e.g., lbif→lbif) or epenthetically related (e.g., lbif→lebif)-and asked to judge their identity. Results showed that, like adults, children's ability to detect epenthetic distortions was monotonically related to sonority distance (bw>bd>lb), and their performance was inexplicable by several statistical and phonetic factors. These findings suggest that sonority restrictions are active in early childhood and their scope is broad.
A comparison of graduating seniors who receive job offers and those who do not according to hospitality recruiters' selection criteria.

Abstract This study used an exploratory mixed methods approach to identify the characteristics possessed by hospitality graduating seniors who receive job offers. Quantitative analyses reveal that: (a) seniors who receive job offers are different from those who do not in relevant work/internship experience, perceived person–organization and person–job fit, leadership/career preparedness, professionalism, and interview behaviors and (b) student characteristics have various effects on recruiters’ hiring decisions in different hospitality segments. Suggestions are provided to help students better prepare for a hospitality career and hospitality programs better educate students for employments. Future research is advocated to address the limitations.
Harnessing homophily to improve climate change education

The Cooperative Extension Service (Extension) in the United States is well positioned to educate the public, particularly farmers and foresters, about climate change and to encourage responsible adoption of adaptation and mitigation strategies. However, the climate change attitudes and perceptions of Extension professionals have limited Extension’s involvement. A survey of Extension professionals (n = 2758) in eight southern states found several statistically significant factors correlating to different attitudes and perceptions about climate change, such as demographics and program area. Willingness to engage with climate change-related programs varies with climate change perceptions, program area, and perceptions of institutional support. This assessment explores the extent to which the climate change issue suggests different needs among Extension professionals – needs that could be addressed by diverse professional development programs. We discuss these results in the context of homophily and provide r...
Feedback cue and switching characteristics

Asexual reproduction (fissioning) in planarians is controlled by group size; increased group size suppresses fissioning, isolation releases it. This effect is mediated through the brain; social stimulation from cohorts causes the brain to inhibit the segmental plexus fissioning system from initiating the events of fissioning. Experiments were conducted to elucidate (1) the stimulus cue conveying information regarding cohort number and (2) the switching characteristics of the control system. The results of these show that the social stimulus responsible for the effect involves neither vision nor discharge of pheromonal substances into the habitat; the sensory event apparently involves direct contact and chemoreceptive, as well as tactile, modalities. The switching characteristics (graduated response, long release time, short reinstatement time) found for the brain inhibitory system agree with those expected from the mathematical model derived for a simple neurohormonal control system in which it is postulated that social stimulation causes neurosecretory cells of the brain to release a fissioning inhibitory hormone (FIH) that inhibits the segmental plexus fissioning (SPF) system from initiating fissioning.
Externalizing behavior disorders in child welfare settings: Definition, prevalence, and implications for assessment and treatment

Abstract The literature examining the externalizing behavior disorders of youth in child welfare settings reveals a general consensus regarding the severity and nature of these problems. Unfortunately, there is not agreement as to the operational definition of externalizing problems. The authors propose an operational definition in light of the existing literature and DSM-IV-TR criteria and then summarize the prevalence rates of externalizing problems in child welfare settings found across several investigations. The authors assert that this population is difficult to target for assessment and treatment due in part to the heterogeneity of the specific types of behavior problems exhibited by this group. A variety of behavior rating scales, diagnostic interviews, and instruments used for subtyping externalizing behavior disorders are reviewed with a discussion of their psychometric properties and practical utility in child welfare settings. The heterogeneity found among these youth suggests the need for a more comprehensive and dynamic assessment and treatment model, such as the multi-gating approach used by The Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group.
Resazurin Reduction Assay for Ram Sperm Metabolic Activity Measured by Spectrophotometry

Resazurin (7-hydroxy-3H-phenoxazin-3-one 10-oxide) is a redox dye that can be reduced by metabolically active spermatozoa to resorufin and manifested as visual color change from blue (resazurin) to pink (resorufin). This study combined the resazurin reduction test with spectrophotometric methods and investigated the correlation between metabolic activity and fertilization potential of spermatozoa, using ram semen as a model. The absorbance at specific wavelengths of resazurin and resorufin was determined by scanning photo spectrometer (600 nm for resazurin and 570 nm for resorufin, respectively). The absorbance at wavelengths of 600 nm (A600) and 570 nm (A570) was measured by spectrophotometry and used to evaluate sperm metabolic activity. A600 decreased and A570 increased in relationship to the increased concentrations of motile spermatozoa and increased resazurin reaction times. We observed, upon using a retrospective experimental design, that fertile rams had greater relative absorbance values than rams with lower fertility. Also, we observed a wide range variation of absorbance between the fertile rams, which is highly correlated to the sperm motility. We conclude that the spectrophotometric measurement of resazurin reduction for sperm activity might be a good assay for ram fertility.
Infrared active phonons in (Pr2-xCex)CuO4

Abstract We report infrared (IR) reflectivity measurements of polycrystals of the electron-doped superconductor (Pr2-xCex)CuO4. To understand the complex results, we utilized conducting ceramics in which the ab-plane phonons are screened, allowing observation of the A2u phonons (motion parallel to the c-axis). To obtain the Eu modes (motion in the ab-plane), we utilized small ab-plane single crystals. With these approaches, all of the allowed IR phonons (3A2u + 4Eu) were observed. We have assigned all of the modes to specific atomic motion.
A rate-based end-to-end multicast congestion control protocol

Current reliable multicast protocols do not have scalable congestion control mechanisms and this deficiency leads to concerns that multicast deployment may endanger stability of the network. We present a sender-based approach for multicast congestion control targeted towards reliable bulk data transfer. We assume that there are a few bottleneck links in a large scale multicast group at any time period and these bottlenecks persist long enough to be identified and adapted to. Our work focuses on dynamically identifying the worst congested path in the multicast tree and obtaining TCP-friendly throughput on this selected path. We use the network simulator (NS2) to validate and evaluate our congestion control algorithm with both drop-tail and RED gateways.
The Roles of Recruiter Political Skill and Performance Resource Leveraging in NCAA Football Recruitment Effectiveness

The recruitment and selection of human resources represent the most important activities in which organizations of all types engage. However, there is much scholars still need to know about the predictors of recruitment effectiveness. Using a sample of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) university football coaches (N = 175) and their recruiting outcomes, the authors hypothesized that recruiting effectiveness is specifically affected by the individual qualities of the recruiters, in addition to the past performance of the team under the current head coach. The results supported the hypothesis, demonstrating that the interaction of recruiter political skill and head coach performance explained significant variance in recruitment effectiveness. Implications of these results and directions for future research are discussed.
Exploring the possibility of operating in the compressed domain

Data compression in caches has been studied from the performance and energy consumption points of view. In this paper, we study the possible benefits of operating with compressed operands. Operating in the compressed domain (i.e., executing instructions with compressed operands) as far as possible can offer several advantages. First, since it is less reliant on decompression, it may be possible to employ a fancier compression/decompression strategy, without the associated performance/power penalties, that can offer higher compression rates to further boost cache locality. Second, the transfers between cache and datapath can use fewer bits (to transmit codes instead of data values) and provide dynamic energy savings in the corresponding bus. In this paper, we demonstrate that there are cases where operations can be executed in the compressed domain, which can lead to performance improvements and energy savings. In particular, we show that by operating in the compressed domain, the effectiveness of prior techniques can be further improved.
Rationale for the application of thin, continuous metal films in high magnification electron microscopy.

SUMMARY Various metal films of different thicknesses were deposited on to a particle test specimen and their effects on topographic contrast generation and specimen preservation were determined. Tobacco mosaic virus adsorbed on to thin carbon supports or silicon chips was imaged in TEM or high resolution SE-I SEM at a magnification of 350,000×. Tantalum films of 1–2 nm (average mass) thickness produced best contrasts and prevented volume loss of the particles from electron beam damage. Excessively thick films of 5–10 nm thickness blanketed fine structures and caused severe volume losses. Discontinuous 2 nm thick films of gold or platinum decorated the surfaces, caused a loss in topographic contrasts and induced very high volume losses. Thin continuous metal films were necessary to generate high topographic contrast and to prevent volume loss from beam damage by providing sufficient mechanical stability for small topographic features and increased thermal conductivity of the specimen surface.
A Comparative Analysis of Biomarker Expression and Molecular Subtypes of Pure Ductal Carcinoma In Situ and Invasive Breast Carcinoma by Image Analysis: Relationship of the Subtypes with Histologic Grade, Ki67, p53 Overexpression, and DNA Ploidy

There is a paucity of data regarding molecular subtypes of pure ductal carcinoma in situ (pDCIS). We evaluated the expression of ER, PR, HER2, Ki67, and p53 and DNA ploidy in 118 pDCIS and 100 invasive breast carcinomas (IBCAs) by routine IHC and classified them according to molecular subtypes. Quantification of biomarkers and DNA ploidy was performed by image analysis. Expression of ER, PR, and high ki67 was more frequent in pDCIS compared to IBCA. High-grade tumors had lower ER and PR expression, high Ki67, overexpression of HER2 and p53, and DNA aneuploidy. Luminal A and HER2 subtypes were more common in pDCIS, and triple negative was more prevalent in IBCA. In both groups, HER2 and triple negative subtypes were characterized by high ki67, overexpression of p53, and DNA aneuploidy compared to luminal subtypes. Molecular subtypes of IBCA are distinct from those of pDCIS. Invasion is characterized by change in phenotype in some tumors.
Adsorption of alginic acid to titanium investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy †

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to characterize the adsorption of alginic acid to titanium as a function of alginic acid solution pH. It was found that alginic acid adsorbs in greater quantity at acidic pH than at basic pH. The results provide evidence for an anion-exchange adsorption mechanism at weakly acidic pH. Addition of calcium chloride to the alginic acid solution results in a reduction of alginic acid adsorption at acidic pH and an increase at basic pH. This behavior can be explained by inhibition of anion exchange by the calcium cation at acidic pH and mediation of a bond between alginic acid and the titanium surface at basic pH. Elucidation of the adsorption chemistry of biofilm components to the surfaces of engineering materials is a prerequisite to developing surface modification strategies to reduce biofouling adhesion. Data presented herein can be used in the future as a baseline for comparison with data for such modified surfaces. Published in 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interstitial deletions of the short arm of chromosome 4 in patients with a similar combination of multiple minor anomalies and mental retardation

Interstitial deletions of chromosome 4 have been described rarely and have had variable presentations. We describe the phenotypic characteristics associated with interstitial deletion of the p14-16 region of chromosome 4 in 7 patients with multiple minor anomalies in common, and with mental retardation. A review of published cases of interstitial deletions of the short arm of chromosome 4 is provided. These deletions present a distinct phenotype which is different from that of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.
Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines Mediates Chemokine Endocytosis through a Macropinocytosis-Like Process in Endothelial Cells

Background: The Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) shows high affinity binding to multiple inflammatory CC and CXC chemokines and is expressed by erythrocytes and endothelial cells. Recent evidence suggests that endothelial DARC facilitates chemokine transcytosis to promote neutrophil recruitment. However, the mechanism of chemokine endocytosis by DARC remains unclear. Methodology/Principal Findings: We investigated the role of several endocytic pathways in DARC-mediated ligand internalization. Here we report that, although DARC co-localizes with caveolin-1 in endothelial cells, caveolin-1 is dispensable for DARC-mediated 125 I-CXCL1 endocytosis as knockdown of caveolin-1 failed to inhibit ligand internalization. 125 I-CXCL1 endocytosis by DARC was also independent of clathrin and flotillin-1 but required cholesterol and was, in part, inhibited by silencing Dynamin II expression. 125 I-CXCL1 endocytosis was inhibited by amiloride, cytochalasin D, and the PKC inhibitor Go¨6976 whereas Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) enhanced ligand internalization through DARC. The majority of DARC-ligand interactions occurred on the endothelial surface, with DARC identified along plasma membrane extensions with the appearance of ruffles, supporting the concept that DARC provides a high affinity scaffolding function for surface retention of chemokines on endothelial cells. Conclusions/Significance: These results show DARC-mediated chemokine endocytosis occurs through a macropinocytosislike process in endothelial cells and caveolin-1 is dispensable for CXCL1 internalization.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and radiation: findings among workers at five US nuclear facilities and a review of the recent literature.

Summary The aetiology of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is largely unknown. Despite compelling evidence for ionising radiation as a cause of most forms of leukaemia, CLL was not found to be radiogenic in early studies. Herein we describe the recent evidence for causation of CLL by ionising and nonionising radiation, including a nested case-control study conducted within a cohort of 94 517 US workers at four nuclear weapons facilities and a nuclear naval shipyard. Forty-three cases of CLL deaths and 172 age-matched controls were identified with follow-up up to between 1990 and 1996. Radiation exposure from external sources and plutonium (lagged 10 years) was assessed for each worker, based on monitoring records. The excess relative rate (ERR) was estimated for workers receiving elevated doses compared to unexposed workers, controlling for possible risk factors. The ERR per 10 mSv was )0AE020 (95% confidence interval: <0, 0AE14) based on all exposed workers. However, for workers receiving <100 mSv, the ERR per 10 mSv was 0AE20 ()0AE035, 0AE96). Recent studies of uranium miners and other populations have shown elevations of CLL possibly associated with ionising and non-ionising radiation. New studies should use incident cases and sufficient latency to account for the expected lengthy induction period for
Racism, College, and the Power of Words Racial Microaggressions Reconsidered

Based on interview data from a collective case study, this article uses current notions of racial microaggressions to explore this “subtle” racism through the voices of six Latino/a students as they transition to a predominantly White university. Using critical race theory as a framework, I argue for greater understanding and increased use of the term racial microaggressions within education generally and specifically with regard to higher education. I also, however, argue for specific changes in the existing framework of racial microaggressions, contending that the term microaggression is at times misused within academia and that this misuse has potentially negative consequences. Implications for discussions of racism writ large as well as for specific changes on college campuses are discussed.
Simultaneous measurement of noise and spatial resolution in PET phantom images

As an aid to evaluating image reconstruction and correction algorithms in positron emission tomography, a phantom procedure has been developed that simultaneously measures image noise and spatial resolution. A commercially available 68Ge cylinder phantom (20 cm diameter) was positioned in the center of the field-of-view and two identical emission scans were sequentially performed. Image noise was measured by determining the difference between corresponding pixels in the two images and by calculating the standard deviation of these difference data. Spatial resolution was analyzed using a Fourier technique to measure the extent of the blurring at the edge of the phantom images. This paper addresses the noise aspects of the technique as the spatial resolution measurement has been described elsewhere. The noise measurement was validated by comparison with data obtained from multiple replicate images over a range of noise levels. In addition, we illustrate how simultaneous measurement of noise and resolution can be used to evaluate two different corrections for random coincidence events: delayed event subtraction and singles-based randoms correction. For a fixed number of iterations of the maximum-likelihood expectation-maximization algorithm, the singles-based correction gave rise to higher noise than delayed event subtraction. However, when noise and resolution were measured simultaneously it was shown that singles-based randoms correction gave rise to lower noise than delayed event subtraction for a fixed spatial resolution. The proposed method of simultaneously measuring image noise and spatial resolution is useful for evaluating reconstruction algorithms and may aid standardization of data collection between centers.
Increased p53 immunopositivity in anaplastic medulloblastoma and supratentorial PNET is not caused by JC virus

p53 mutations are relatively uncommon in medulloblastoma, but abnormalities in this cell cycle pathway have been associated with anaplasia and worse clinical outcomes. We correlated p53 protein expression with pathological subtype and clinical outcome in 75 embryonal brain tumors. The presence of JC virus, which results in p53 protein accumulation, was also examined. p53 protein levels were evaluated semi-quantitatively in 64 medulloblastomas, 3 atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT), and 8 supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (sPNET) using immunohistochemistry. JC viral sequences were analyzed in DNA extracted from 33 frozen medulloblastoma and PNET samples using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. p53 expression was detected in 18% of non-anaplastic medulloblastomas, 45% of anaplastic medulloblastomas, 67% of ATRT, and 88% of sPNET. The increased p53 immunoreactivity in anaplastic medulloblastoma, ATRT, and sPNET was statistically significant. Log rank analysis of clinical outcome revealed significantly shorter survival in patients with p53 immunopositive embryonal tumors. No JC virus was identified in the embryonal brain tumor samples, while an endogenous human retrovirus (ERV-3) was readily detected. Immunoreactivity for p53 protein is more common in anaplastic medulloblastomas, ATRT and sPNET than in non-anaplastic tumors, and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. However, JC virus infection is not responsible for increased levels of p53 protein.
Experimental implementation of 1310-nm differential phase shift QKD system with up-conversion detectors

We have experimentally implemented a differential phase shift quantum-key distribution system with up-conversion detectors operating at a 2.5 Gbps clock rate. A Michelson interferometer with Faraday mirrors is used to increase the system stability.
Susceptibility of Gardnerella vaginalis Biofilms to Natural Antimicrobials Subtilosin, ε-Poly-L-Lysine, and Lauramide Arginine Ethyl Ester

Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection associated with numerous gynecological and obstetric complications. This condition is characterized by the presence of thick adherent vaginal biofilms, composed mainly of Gardnerella vaginalis. This organism is thought to be the primary aetiological cause of the infection paving the way for various opportunists to colonize the niche. Previously, we reported that the natural antimicrobials subtilosin, e-poly-L-lysine, and lauramide arginine ethyl ester selectively inhibit the growth of this pathogen. In this study, we used plate counts to evaluate the efficacy of these antimicrobials against established biofilms of G. vaginalis. Additionally, we validated and compared two rapid methods (ATP viability and resazurin assays) for the assessment of cell viability in the antimicrobial-treated G. vaginalis biofilms. Out of the tested antimicrobials, lauramide arginine ethyl ester had the strongest bactericidal effect, followed by subtilosin, with clindamycin and polylysine showing the weakest effect. In comparison to plate counts, ATP viability and resazurin assays considerably underestimated the bactericidal effect of some antimicrobials. Our results indicate that these assays should be validated for every new application.