cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Standardised approach to measuring goal-based outcomes among older disabled adults: results from a multisite pilot.

Background Older adults with complex care needs face trade-offs in determining the right course of treatment. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services identified ‘Care is personalized and aligned with patient’s goals’ as a key meaningful measures category, yet existing quality measures typically assess disease-specific care and may not effectively evaluate what is most important to older adults and family members. Measures based on individualised goals and goal-based outcomes have been proposed as an alternative but are not routinely assessed or implemented. Objectives We tested two approaches to assessing goal-based outcomes that allow individuals to set goals based on their own priorities and measure progress—(1) goal attainment scaling and (2) existing, validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROM). Methods A prospective cohort study of feasibility in seven sites (33 clinicians) of the two approaches with 229 individuals. We calculated performance on a measure of achievement of individually identified goals. Results Both approaches were successfully implemented in a non-randomly selected population, and a goal-based outcome could be calculated for 189 (82%) of participants. Most individuals met their goal-based outcome (73%) with no statistical difference between the goal attainment scaling approach (74%) and the patient-reported outcomes approach (70%). Goals were heterogeneous ranging from participating in activities, health management, independence and physical health. Clinicians chose to use goal attainment scaling (n=184, 80%) more often than PROMs (n=49, 20%) and rated the goal attainment scaling approach as useful for providing patient care. Conclusion Goal-based outcomes have the potential to both improve the way healthcare is provided and fill a critical gap in value-based payment.
Medical humanism, chronic illness, and the body in pain: An ecology of wholeness: by V. Agarwal, Lanham, Maryland, Lexington Books, 2020, 317 pp., $115 (Hardback), ISBN 978-1498596459

Medical Humanism, Chronic Illness, and the Body in Pain theorizes wholeness for individuals experiencing chronic illness as a multi-level meaning-making process. Venita Agarwal’s model moves beyond...
A leader–follower partially observed, multiobjective Markov game

The intent of this research is to generate a set of non-dominated finite-memory policies from which one of two agents (the leader) can select a most preferred policy to control a dynamic system that is also affected by the control decisions of the other agent (the follower). The problem is described by an infinite horizon total discounted reward, partially observed Markov game (POMG). For each candidate finite-memory leader policy, we assume the follower, fully aware of the leader policy, determines a (perfect memory) policy that optimizes the follower’s (scalar) criterion. The leader–follower assumption allows the POMG to be transformed into a specially structured, partially observed Markov decision process that we use to determine the follower’s best response policy for a given leader policy. We then approximate the follower’s policy by a finite-memory policy. Each agent’s policy assumes that the agent knows its current and recent state values, its recent actions, and the current and recent possibly inaccurate observations of the other agent’s state. For each leader/follower policy pair, we determine the values of the leader’s criteria. We use a multi-objective genetic algorithm to create the next generation of leader policies based on the values of the leader criteria for each leader/follower policy pair in the current generation. Based on this information for the final generation of policies, we determine the set of non-dominated leader policies. We present an example that illustrates how these results can be used to support a manager of a liquid egg production process (the leader) in selecting a sequence of actions to maximize expected process productivity while mitigating the risk due to an attacker (the follower) who seeks to contaminate the process with a chemical or biological toxin.
On the Construction of the Anger Experience: Aversive Events and Negative Priming in the Formation of Feelings

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses a few analyses conducted in contemporary social psychology that appear to be pertinent to the questions raised about the effects of aversive events. To simplify matters, these conceptions are divided into two fairly broad categories, depending upon the importance they ascribe to cognitive processes. All of the theories recognize that cognitions can have a major role in the formation and operation of emotions. The most popular approaches to the study of emotions in current social psychology assume that the person's thoughts and interpretations are virtually important in shaping the emotional experience. The aversive stimulation produces negative effect. The chapter presents four experiments illustrating the utility of a cognitive-neoassociationistic analysis of anger. According to this cognitive-neoassociationistic model, when people encounter an event, they would prefer to avoid or escape—either because of its inherent properties or because of their own appraisal of the event, a sequence of reactions is initiated that varies with both time and thought. The negative affect leads directly to both a primitive experience of anger and aggressive inclinations, as well as to a variety of other basic feelings and action tendencies.
Comparative persistence and adherence to overactive bladder medications in patients with and without diabetes.

Summary Aims: This retrospective administrative claims-based study evaluated comparative persistence and adherence to overactive bladder (OAB) medications in US patients with and without diabetes. Methods: Patients ≥ 18 years who initiated OAB medications between 1 January 2005 and 30 June 2008 were analysed from the Truven Health MarketScan® Commercial and Medicare Supplemental databases. A 12-month baseline period prior to OAB medication initiation was used to classify patients into diabetes and non-diabetes cohorts, and measure demographic and clinical characteristics. Patients in each cohort were directly matched 1 : 1 based on index year, age, gender and geographic region. Multiple logistic regression was used to compare cohorts on outcomes of ≥ 80% adherence to OAB medications and refilling a second OAB medication prescription. Cox’s proportional hazards model compared time to non-persistence with OAB medications between both cohorts. Results: In total, 36,560 patients were included in each cohort. Compared with the non-diabetes cohort, the diabetes cohort had 21.5% higher odds of ≥ 80% adherence to OAB medications, 16.6% higher odds of filling a second OAB medication prescription and 10.3% lower hazard of non-persistence with OAB medications during a 12-month evaluation period. Conclusions: Patients with diabetes were more persistent and adherent to OAB medications and had higher odds of filling a second medication prescription than patients without diabetes. Further research is needed to identify factors responsible for these findings.
Classifying and recovering from sensing failures in autonomous mobile robots

This paper presents a characterization of sensing failures in autonomous mobile robots, a methodology for classification and recovery, and a demonstration of this approach on a mobile robot performing landmark navigation. A sensing failure is any event leading to defective perception, including sensor malfunctions, software errors, environmental changes, and errant expectations. The approach demonstrated in this paper exploits the ability of the robot to interact with its environment to acquire additional information for classification (i.e., active perception). A Generate and Test strategy is used to generate hypotheses to explain the symptom resulting from the sensing failure. The recovery scheme replaces the affected sensing processes with an alternative logical sensor. The approach is implemented as the Sensor Fusion Effects Exception Handling (SFX-EH) architecture. The advantages of SFX-EN are that it requires only a partial causal model of sensing failure, the control scheme strives for a fast response, tests are constructed so as to prevent confounding from collaborating sensors which have also failed, and the logical sensor organization allows SFX-EH to be interfaced with the behavioral level of existing robot architectures.
Does the World Need Knights Errant toCombat Enemies of All Mankind?Universal Jurisdiction, ConnectingLinks, and Civil Liability

Table of ContentsI. Introduction 1316II. Universal Criminal Jurisdiction 1319A. Bases of Jurisdiction 1319B. The Development of Universal Jurisdiction in International Law 1322C. Universal Jurisdiction in Action: Case Studies 13311. Past and Present Jurisdiction in Belgium 13312. Unlimited Universal Jurisdiction in Spain 13343. Universal Jurisdiction in the United States of America 1339III. Civil Liability and Jurisdiction 1343A. Jurisdiction for Civil Liability in the United States: The Alien Tort Statute 13431. The Development of the Alien Tort Statute 13442. Jurisdiction Under the Alien Tort Statute 1347IV. Discussion 1349A. The Problems of Unlimited Universal Jurisdiction 13501. Legitimacy 13502. Sovereignty and Comity 13543. Impotence 1358B. Solutions 13591. Universal Criminal Jurisdiction with Connecting Links 13602. Expansive Civil Jurisdiction 13613 . Other Considerations for Criminal Jurisdiction 1365V. Conclusion 1366There are also those who think, that an act of cruelty committed, for example, at Constantinople, may be punished at Paris; for this abstracted reason, that he who offends humanity, should have enemies in all mankind, and be the object of universal execration; as if judges were to be the knights errant of human nature in general, rather than guardians of particular conventions between men.1I. IntroductionUniversal jurisdiction is the ability of national courts to try defendants for international crimes committed outside the state's regular jurisdiction, to convict defendants who may have had no connection with the prosecuting state prior to trial, and to bring accountability and justice to comers of the world where they are sorely lacking.2 At least in theory, anyway- in practice, universal jurisdiction has been less potent and more problematic.3 Recently, two important developments in universal jurisdiction have occurred: Rose Kabuye, Rwanda's Director of State Protocol, was arrested in Germany for extradition to France in order to stand trial for her putative role in causing genocide against her own ethnic minority4 and Charles Taylor, Jr., was convicted in the United States under the Extraterritorial Torture Statute5 for committing torture in Liberia.6 These two cases highlight the hit or miss nature of universal jurisdiction: Sometimes universal jurisdiction is exercised against the worst violators of human rights,7 and sometimes it targets people of dubious guilt.8 Prosecutions under universal jurisdiction occasionally achieve success,9 but more often than not they end in failure. 10 This Note argues that a key factor in the success of universal jurisdiction is the presence of some connecting link between the prosecuting state and the defendant. …
Landmarks in Allergy during the 19th Century.

There were remarkable achievements in the 19th century in our understanding of the cells of the allergic response, the clear descriptions of hay fever and asthma, as well as the role of pollen in seasonal rhinitis. Although allergy as a concept was not developed until well into the 20th century, the foundations of our present understanding of these diseases were laid in the 1800s. The outstanding physicians and scientists of this time included Paul Ehrlich (who described mast cells, eosinophils and basophils), John Bostock (who provided the first detailed account of hay fever), Charles Blackley (who showed that pollen was the cause of hay fever), Morrill Wyman (who demonstrated that autumnal catarrh was due to ragweed pollen), Henry Hide Salter (who made the first classic description of asthma) and Henri Laennec (the inventor of the stethoscope).
Translating into Votes: The Electoral Impact of Spanish-Language Ballots

This paper investigates the impact of one election procedure designed to enfranchise immigrants: foreign-language election materials. Specifically, it uses regression discontinuity design to estimate the turnout and election impacts of Spanish-language assistance provided under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. Analyses of two different data sets - the Latino National Survey and California 1998 primary election returns - show that Spanish-language assistance increased turnout for citizens who speak little English. The California results also demonstrate that election procedures an influence outcomes, as support for ending bilingual education dropped markedly in heavily Spanish-speaking neighborhoods with Spanish-language assistance. Small changes in election procedures can influence who votes as well as what wins.
The MNHN taxonomic referential: state and ongoing developments

The relational database of taxonomic references developed in the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), in Paris, has been greatly improved. New names, principally synonyms, have been added to the database following four lines: (1) The referential has been improved taxonomically: type-species of genera have been defined; species names renamed by nomina nova have been searched and entered as well as the source(s) of conflict of the species homonym(s); also, combinatio nova or new combinations of species names given by authors of new genera have been databased. (2) The names which were found written on the labels of the specimens of the MNHN collection have been databased. The computerization of the MNHN collection has started with the Suboscines, thus, handbooks covering these have been checked for names, including new combinations of original species names. (3) Synonyms have been entered for as far they are listed in catalogues of types published by different museums. About 16,000 types specimens covering 9,500 species or subspecies are now listed in the MNHN database, including their catalogue number and the museum where they are preserved. (4) The computerization of all names created by Statius Muller (1776), Boddaert (1783), Gmelin (1788-89), and Latham (1790; 1801), is going on. These four authors based a lot of new scientific names on vernacular names used in earlier ornithological works, e.g. on Brisson (1760) or Buffon (1770-83). All these references to common names (about 10 000) have been entered and linked with the scientific names introduced, following the synonymies presented by these authors.
Seasoned Suggestions for Success

Advice for a Young Investigator . By Santiago Ramon y Cajal, translated by Neely Swanson and Larry W. Swanson . MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1999. 172 pp. $22.50. ISBN 0-262-18191-6. Neely Swanson and Larry W. Swanson present a modern translation of the classic commentary from Ramon y Cajal (a 1906 Nobel laureate in medicine) on how science is and ought to be done.
An Analysis of the Fidelity Implementation Policies of the What Works Clearinghouse

A large body of literature documents the central importance of fidelity of program implementation in creating an internally valid research design and considering such fidelity in judgments of research quality. The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) provides web-based summary ratings of educational innovations and is the only rating group that is officially sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Yet, correspondence with the organization indicates that it disregards information regarding implementation fidelity in its summary ratings, relying on â€œreplicated findingsâ€ and suggesting that any fidelity issues that â€œmay have arisen are averaged.â€ This paper demonstrates the fallacy in this logic. Simulations show that the policy minimizes the positive impact of highly effective programs and the negative impact of highly ineffective programs. Implications are discussed.
A study of the prevalence of adverse events (AE) caused by radiopharmaceuticals (RP) and adjunct interventional drugs, and of trends in the utilization of RP in the United States, 2007-2011

88 Objectives The objectives of this study were to document the prevalence of AE caused by RP and adjunct nonradioactive interventional drugs, and, from the data submitted, to analyze changes in RP use from 2007 through 2011 in the United States. Methods Quarterly reports were submitted over five years from thirteen large U.S. medical centers. Data on AE, the number of doses given for PET, non-PET, and RP therapy, with further information on the use of bone imaging and F-18-FDG, were provided, collated, and analyzed. Results 22 AE were reported from 1,009,348 RP doses, a frequency of 2.2/100,000 (CI 1.8-2.6). Of these,15 fulfilled the criteria for probable or possible AE on our probability rating scale, for a prevalence of 1.5/100,000. (CI 0.9-2.1). 3 AE were rated unlikely to be caued by RP. In addition, 3 reported AE resulted from 112,830 non-RP doses, a prevalence of 2.7/100,000, although these caused no hospitalizations or deaths. Details of the individual AE will be provided. PET procedures increased annually, by almost 30% over 5 years, while non-PET procedures dropped 16%, including bone scans, down 14%. Total RP volume decreased. F-18-FDG became a smaller proportion of PET studies, 84.6% in 2007, down to 79.9% in 2011. Therapy procedures decreased for the first time in 2011. Conclusions RP administration has remained remarkably safe over many years, as has the use of nonradioactive interventional drugs.The number of PET procedures rose 30% over the 5 years of this study, while non-PET procedures and total RP utilization fell 10-15%. A decrease in RP therapy procedures was noted for the first time in 2011.
Correlation Between Serum Levels of Cardiac Troponin-T and the Severity of the Chronic Cardiomyopathy Induced by Doxorubicin

PURPOSE: To investigate, over a wide range of cumulative doxorubicin doses, the feasibility of using serum concentrations of cardiac troponin-T (cTnT) as a biomarker for doxorubicin-induced myocardial damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Groups of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were given 1 mg/kg doxorubicin weekly for 2 to 12 weeks. Cardiomyopathy scores were assessed according to the method of Billingham and serum levels of cTnT were quantified by a noncompetitive immunoassay. Myocardial localization of cTnT was studied by immunohistochemical staining and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Increases in serum levels of cTnT (0.03 to 0.05 ng/mL) and myocardial lesions (cardiomyopathy scores of 1 or 1.5) were found in one out of five and two out of five SHR given 2 and 4 mg/kg doxorubicin, respectively. All animals given 6 mg/kg or more of doxorubicin had increases in serum cTnT and myocardial lesions. The average cTnT levels and the cardiomyopathy scores correlated with the cumulative dose of doxorubicin (0.1...
US Department of Agriculture School Breakfast Program.

This article reviews the history of the US Department of Agriculture School Breakfast Program (SBP) and provides a synthesis of factors influencing participation rates. Certain children are more likely to participate than others, such as those in lower grades and those from low-income households, and African American, Hispanic. and male students. A few studies in the past 25 y have examined the effectiveness of the SBP in improving the diets and nutritional status of children. The overall pattern that emerges from these studies is that the SBP contributes to improved nutrient intake in program participants. Less attention has been devoted to assessing the effects of SBP on cognitive development. Some of the evidence reviewed here suggests that the SBP significantly improves school performance and reduces absenteeism and tardiness. Future directions for research and operation of the SBP are discussed in light of the changing dietary profile of American children.
Immigrant Exclusion from Welfare: An Analysis of the 1996 Welfare Reform Legislative Process

Congress passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) in August 1996. This major welfare reform bill explicitly barred legal immigrant eligibility for most federal means-tested public benefits. This article applies a Foucauldian method of analysis to congressional discourse surrounding legal immigrant exclusion from welfare. Such an approach examines how political issues are constructed to reveal the use of power and discursive rules in the production of socially and politically acceptable truths. I argue that legislators used specific discursive constructions to frame immigrant exclusion provisions. These discursive approaches, often at odds with empirical data, reinforced existing ideology and governed the employable concepts that held power in the debate. The analysis also demonstrates that political discourse implicitly revolved around the “immigrant bargain.” Elements of this bargain included the ideal type of immigrant desired by the United States and the proper relationship of the nation to such immigrants.
Cell-penetrating peptide enhanced intracellular Raman imaging and photodynamic therapy.

We present the application of a theranostic system combining Raman imaging and the photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect. The theranostic nanoplatform was created by loading the photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX, onto a Raman-labeled gold nanostar. A cell-penetrating peptide, TAT, enhanced intracellular accumulation of the nanoparticles in order to improve their delivery and efficacy. The plasmonic gold nanostar platform was designed to increase the Raman signal via the surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) effect. Theranostic SERS imaging and photodynamic therapy using this construct were demonstrated on BT-549 breast cancer cells. The TAT peptide allowed for effective Raman imaging and photosensitization with the nanoparticle construct after a 1 h incubation period. In the absence of the TAT peptide, nanoparticle accumulation in the cells was not sufficient to be observed by Raman imaging or to produce any photosensitization effect after this short incubation period. There was no cytotoxic ef...
Near 90° scattering in the channels K̄°p → π+Λ°, K̄°p → π+Σ° and KL°p → KS°p from 1.0 to 7.5 GeV/c☆

Abstract Differential cross sections for center of mass scattering angles near 90° are presented for the reactions K ° p → π + Λ° , K ° p → π + Σ° and KL°p → KS°p in the momentum interval 1.0 to 7.5 GeV/c. The energy dependences of these cross sections are found to be equally well described by the parameterization: ( d σ d Ω ) 90° ∞ s −2 or ( d σ d Ω ) 90° ∞ exp (− bp ⊥ ) .
Simultaneously occurring alopecia areata and Hodgkin's lymphoma: Complete remission of both diseases with MOPP/ABV chemotherapy

A 43-year-old man presented with simultaneously occurring alopecia areata and stage IIIB nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease. Systemic symptoms of Hodgkin's disease were present for 6 months, and rapidly developing patchy hair loss of the scalp was present for 2 weeks prior to presentation. The patient was treated with eight cycles of MOPP-ABV chemotherapy that resulted in complete remission of Hodgkin's-disease. Four months after the completion of chemotherapy, the patient had normal hair regrowth with no evidence of alopecia areata. Alopecia areata may be an autoimmune disease and may respond to chemotherapy.
Risk factors associated with posthemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage: a single-institution prospective study of 4,880 consecutive closed hemorrhoidectomies.

PURPOSE: Posthemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage is a rare but serious complication after hemorrhoidectomy. The determination of risk factors for this complication may provide information to improve outcome. A prospective study was conducted to determine the risk factors associated with posthemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage. METHODS: We studied 4,880 patients who underwent an elective closed hemorrhoidectomy by 9 proctologists in a single institution between January 1994 and July 1996. The variables analyzed included age, gender, surgeon, surgeon’s seniority, suture material, aseptic preparation, and use of antibiotics. The logistic regression model was used to assess the independent association of variables with posthemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage. RESULTS: Among the 4,880 patients, 45 (0.9 percent) developed posthemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage. The mean interval from operation to the onset of secondary hemorrhage was 8.8 (range, 5–19) days. Multivariate analysis revealed that patient’s gender and individual surgeons were both independently associated with risk of hemorrhage. Male patients were more likely than females to develop posthemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage (relative risk, 2.1; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1–4.1; P = 0.021). The posthemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage rates among individual surgeons ranged from 0.2 to 2.4 percent (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that male patients are more likely to develop posthemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage than female patients and that intersurgeon variability is highly correlated with this risk.
Constructing School Success in Literacy: The Pathway to College Entrance for Minority Students

Book reviewed in this article: Constructing School Success: The Consequences of Untracking Low-Achieving Students. By Hugh Mehan, Irene Villanueva, Lea Hubbard, and Angela Lintz. 1996.
The safety, acceptability, and effectiveness of acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment for acute symptoms in bipolar disorder.

Objective There is growing interest in the utility of nonpharmacologic treatments for mood symptoms, including mood elevation and depression associated with bipolar disorders. The purpose of this research was to provide preliminary data on the safety, effectiveness, and acceptability of adjunctive acupuncture in the acute treatment of hypomania and depression associated with bipolar disorder. Method Two randomized trials were conducted to assess the benefits of adjunctive acupuncture for symptoms of depression and hypomania in patients with bipolar disorder (DSM-IV criteria). For 20 patients experiencing symptoms of hypomania, targeted acupuncture (points specific to symptoms) was compared to acupuncture points off the acupuncture meridian over 12 weeks (from May 2000 through May 2003). For patients experiencing symptoms of depression (n = 26), targeted acupuncture was compared to acupuncture for nonpsychiatric health concerns over 8 weeks (from November 2001 through May 2003). Preexisting psychotropic medications were maintained at stable doses throughout study participation. Results Regardless of acupuncture assignment or symptom pattern at entry, all patients experienced improvement over the course of study participation. There was evidence that acupuncture treatment did target the symptom dimension of interest (mood elevation in Study I, depression in Study II). There were few negative side effects and no attrition directly associated with adjunctive acupuncture. Conclusions Novel methodologies are needed to assess the utility of acupuncture as adjunctive treatment of mood episodes associated with bipolar disorder. We observed similar benefits associated with "placebo" acupuncture experiences and active treatment. Further studies are warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION (STUDY II): (ClinicalTrials.gov) Identifier: NCT00071669.
The peripheral and central antennular pathway of the Caribbean stomatopod crustacean Neogonodactylus oerstedii.

Although stomatopod crustaceans use their chemical senses in many facets of behavior, little is known about their chemosensory neural pathways, especially in comparison to the better-studied decapod crustaceans. We examined the stomatopod Neogonodactylus oerstedii to determine organizational aspects of peripheral and central neural pathway of antennules, which is a major chemosensory organ. We describe the three flagella of the triramous antennule as the medial, dorsolateral, and ventrolateral flagella. The primary branch point is between the medial flagellum and lateral flagella, and the secondary branch point is at the junction of the dorsolateral and ventrolateral flagella. The antennule bears at least three types of setae, based on their external morphology. Simple setae are present only on the medial flagellum and ventrolateral flagellum, organized as a tuft of 10 ‐ 15 setae on each flagellar annulus. Aesthetasc setae and asymmetric setae occur only on the distal annuli of the dorsolateral flagellum, with each annulus bearing a row of three aesthetascs and one asymmetric seta. DiI fills of the antennular nerve near the junction of the flagella show that sensory neurons in the antennular flagella project to two neuropils in the ipsilateral midbrain—the olfactory lobe (OL) and lateral antennular neuropil (LAN). The OL is glomerular and has rich serotonergic innervation, a characteristic of the OL in decapods. The LAN is bi-lobed and stratified as it is in decapods. However, the LAN of stomatopods differs from that of decapods in being relatively large and containing extensive serotonergic innervation. The median antennular neuropil of stomatopods has sparse serotonergic innervation, and it is more diffusely organized compared to decapods. No accessory lobes were found in N. oerstedii. Thus, the stomatopod antennular flagella have the same two, highly organized parallel pathways common to decapods—the OL pathway and the LAN pathway. q 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effect of C-arm Angiographic CT on Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization of Liver Tumors

Rotational C-arm angiographic computed tomography (CT) with a flat-panel radiography unit permits three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of soft tissues and blood vessels. The usefulness of this C-arm technique during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is unknown. The authors analyzed the role of the C-arm technique in 18 patients with unresectable liver tumors during TACE. The technique altered the catheter position anticipated by attending interventional radiologists in seven of the 18 patients (39%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 20%, 61%) and improved the diagnostic confidence in the selected catheter position in 14 of the 18 patients (78%; 95% CI: 55%, 91%). The technique provides CT-like images that are useful to interventional radiologists during TACE.
The cost of a central bank leaning against a random walk

Abstract Using a stochastic model we show that a central bank is expected to suffer a loss when it temporarily affects the exchange rate by sterilized intervention against a random walk. We also demonstrate that the methodology used in several studies of the profitability of official central bank intervention biases their results towards finding positive profits. This bias, created by only observing periods where cumulative intervention sums to zero, accounts for the seemingly contradictory empirical results of several intervention profitability studies.
Microscopic approach to many-exciton complexes in self-assembled InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots

Abstract We present a numerical calculation of many-exciton complexes in self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots. We apply continuum elasticity theory and atomistic valence-force-field method to calculate strain distribution, and make use of various methods, ranging from a quasi-atomistic tight-binding approach to the single-band effective-mass approximation, to obtain single-particle energy levels. The effect of strain is incorporated by the deformation potential theory. We expand multiexciton states in the basis of Slater determinants and solve the many-body problem by the configuration-interaction method. The dynamics of multiexcitons is studied by solving the rate equations, from which the excitation–power dependence of emission spectrum is obtained. The emission spectra calculated by the microscopic tight-binding approach are found to be in good agreement with those obtained by the simple effective-mass method.
Bounded rationality, neural network and folk theorem in repeated games with discounting

The perfect folk theorem (Fudenberg and Maskin [1986]) need not rely on excessively complex strategies. We recover the perfect folk theorem for two person repeated games with discounting through neural networks (Hopfield [1982]) that have finitely many associative units. For any individually rational payoff vector, we need neural networks with at most 7 associative units, each of which can handle only elementary calculations such as maximum, minimum or threshold operation. The uniform upper bound of the complexity of equilibrium strategies differentiates this paer from Ben-Porath and Peleg [1987] in which we need to admit ever more complex strategies in order to expand the set of equilibrium outcomes.
Smoothing locational measures in spatial interaction networks

Abstract Spatial interactions such as migration and airline transportation naturally form a location-to-location network (graph) in which a node represents a location (or an area) and a link represents an interaction (flow) between two locations. Locational measures, such as net-flow, centrality, and entropy, are often derived to understand the structural characteristics and the roles of locations in spatial interaction networks. However, due to the small-area problem and the dramatic difference in location sizes (such as population), derived locational measures often exhibit spurious variations, which may conceal the underlying spatial and network structures. This paper introduces a new approach to smoothing locational measures in spatial interaction networks. Different from conventional spatial kernel methods, the new method first smoothes the flows to/from each neighborhood and then calculates its network measure with the smoothed flows. We use county-to-county migration data in the US to demonstrate and evaluate the new smoothing approach. With smoothed net migration rate and entropy measure for each county, we can discover natural regions of attraction (or depletion) and other structural characteristics that the original (unsmoothed) measures fail to reveal. Furthermore, with the new approach, one can also smooth spatial interactions within sub-populations (e.g., different age groups), which are often sparse and impossible to derive meaningful measures if not properly smoothed.
Imaging self-assembly dependent spatial distribution of small molecules in a cellular environment.

Self-assembly of small molecules, as a more common phenomenon than one previously thought, can be either beneficial or detrimental to cells. Despite its profound biological implications, how the self-assembly of small molecules behave in a cellular environment is largely unknown and barely explored. This work studies four fluorescent molecules that consist of the same peptidic backbone (e.g., Phe–Phe–Lys) and enzyme trigger (e.g., a phosphotyrosine residue), but bear different fluorophores on the side chain of the lysine residue of the peptidic motif. These molecules, however, exhibit a different ability of self-assembly before and after enzymatic transformation (e.g., dephosphorylation). Fluorescent imaging reveals that self-assembly directly affects the distribution of these small molecules in a cellular environment. Moreover, cell viability tests suggest that the states and the locations of the molecular assemblies in the cellular environment control the phenotypes of the cells. For example, the molecu...
A Process Model for Latex Film Formation: Limiting Regimes for Individual Driving Forces

The deformation of particles, to produce a structure without voids, has been an issue of contention in the film formation community for many years. Four different mechanisms have been proposed. Three involve homogeneous deformation throughout the film, although all are built on the deformation of two isolated particles, described in the viscous limit by Frenkel and in the elastic limit by Hertz and Johnson, Kendall, and Roberts. We derive a linear viscoelastic generalization of Frenkel's model that predicts the deformation of two spheres compressed by a force, F, and surface tension, γ. The resulting equation is then embedded in field equations governing the collapse of macroscopic films. Assuming a uniaxial compression allows derivation of limits for the proposed modes of homogeneous deformation. These limits are shown as surfaces in parameter space. Since temperature alters most profoundly the rheological response of viscoelastic polymers, the controlling deformation mechanism is defined as a function o...
Integrin‐associated tyrosine kinase FAK affects Cbfa1 expression

Following cell adhesion, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) autophosphorylates on tyrosine and regulates intracellular signaling cascades that regulate cell growth and differentiation. The hypothesis of this study was FAK mediates osteoblast differentiation dependent Cbfa1 expression. Slowly mineralizing UI and rapidly mineralizing UMR-106-01 BSP osteoblasts formed focal adhesions; however, the level of FAK in UI focal adhesions was less than that seen in BSP cells. UI cultures had less FAK expression (p < 0.05) along with elevated levels of FAK phosphotyrosine in comparison to rapidly mineralizing BSP cultures. Mineralization decreased in a dose-dependent manner in response to Herbimycin A, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Overexpression of FAK in UI cells led to a fourfold increase in Cbfa1 gene expression (p < 0.02), and an increase in Cbfa1 protein expression. These results suggest that the integrin-associated tyrosine kinase FAK contributes to the regulation of the osteoblast differentiation in part through the regulation of Cbfa1 expression. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1443–1447, 2011
Long Wavelength Infrared Superlattice Detectors and FPAs Based on CBIRD Design

In this letter, we demonstrate the next generation of N+-p complementary barrier infrared detectors (nCBIRD) with 9.9 μm cutoff wavelength that have near zero bias operation and exhibit dark current density of 6 × 10-6 A/cm2 at 77 K. These nCBIRDs have been recently utilized in the 320 × 256 focal plane array that exhibited a noise equivalent differential temperature of 18.6 mK at an operating temperature of 77 K, with a 300 K background and f/2 cold-stop. We compare single pixel photodiode characteristics with the performance of FPAs that were fabricated together on the same wafer. This letter identifies the physical processes affecting the performance of long wave infrared photodetectors based on CBIRD design.
Simulation-based P values: response to North et al.

To the Editor: North et al. (2002) discussed the estimation of a P value on the basis of computer (i.e., Monte Carlo) simulations. They emphasized that such a P value is an estimate of the true P value. This is essentially their only point with which we agree. The letter from North et al. is more likely to confuse than enlighten. Consider an observed test statistic, x, that under the null hypothesis follows some distribution, f. Let X be a random variable following the distribution f. We seek to estimate the P value, p=Pr(X⩾x). Let y1,…,yn be independent draws from f, obtained by computer simulation. Let r=#{i:yi⩾x} (i.e., the number of simulated statistics greater than or equal to the observed statistic). Let and . North et al. (2002) stated that is “not strictly correct” and that is “the most accurate estimate of the P value.” They further called “the true P value.” We strongly disagree with this characterization. First, minor differences in P-value estimates on the order of Monte Carlo error should not be treated differently in practice, and so it is immaterial whether one uses or . Second, is a perfectly reasonable estimate of p. Indeed, in many ways is superior to . Given the observed test statistic, x, r follows a binomial (n,p) distribution, and so is unbiased, whereas is biased. (The bias of is (1-p)/(n+1).) Further, has smaller mean square error (MSE) than , provided that p<n/(1+3n)≈1/3. (The MSE of is p(1-p)/n, whereas that of is (1-p)(np+1-p)/(n+1)2.) These results are contrary to those of North et al. (2002) because they evaluate the performance of under the joint distribution of both the observed and Monte Carlo data, whereas we prefer to condition on the observed value of the test statistic. Evaluating P-value estimates conditionally on the observed data is widely accepted when the estimation is performed via analytic approximations. Regarding the question of how many simulation replicates to perform, we recommend consideration of the precision of the estimate, , using the properties of the binomial distribution, rather than adherence to a rule such as r⩾10. Standard statistical packages, such as R (Ihaka and Gentleman 1996), allow one to calculate a CI for the true P value and to perform a statistical test, such as whether the true P value is <.01.
Double-coherent-state description of a one-particle FEL

Abstract The nonlinear evolution of a one-particle free electron laser in the Compton regime described by the well-known Bambini-Renieri Hamiltonian is studied analytically. The equation of motion is transformed, through the Q representation of double-coherent states, into a partitial differential equation for the probability amplitude as a function of two complex variables. A perturbative solution, with the quantum recoil of the electron as the perturbation parameter, is carried out far beyond the first order. Explicit analytical expressions for the laser output, photon statistics, and squeezing effect are obtained. The numerical evaluations of these physical quantities are also presented.
Fractal Yagi Antennas: Design, Simulation, and Fabrication

Multiband elements based on the self-similarity of fractals may have differing radiation patterns between operating bands due to the leakage of current between scales in the geometry. A multiband Sierpinski element has been designed using embedded filters to achieve similar radiation patterns over various operating bands. This multiband element is incorporated into the design of a dual-band Yagi antenna. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 41: 375–380, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20145
A volumetric temperature/salinity census for the Middle Atlantic Bight1

Two seasonal volumetric temperature/salinity diagrams have been prepared for the waters of the Middle Atlantic Bight from Nantucket Shoals to Cape Hatteras, to a depth of 200 m and extending as much as 130 km beyond the edge of the continental shelf. Total volume included is 23,145.6 kms, of which about half is slope water, more saline than 35%,. Most of it is in a distinctive subsurface maximum region near 13”C, which is named the upper slope water thermostad. The less saline shelf water has #two modes divided by a minimum near 33.6%. The fresher mode, associated with shallow depths, is identified as coastal water; that from 33.6-35% is called shelf edge water, and much of it is found seaward of the shelf break. There is very little seasonal change in the total volume of shelf water but its geographical distribution varies, showing the effects of spring runoff and suggesting a summer influx of slope water in the northern portion of the bight. Comparison with a similar census for the Gulf of Maine and shelf waters
Management of ischemic stroke: Part 1. Emergency room management.

BACKGROUND: Acute ischemic stroke is commonly encountered by the hospitalist. There have been dramatic changes in our ability to care for these patients acutely. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) primary stroke center certification has become progressively more important to institutions nationally and includes many aspects of initial evaluation and treatment. PURPOSE: Acute treatment involves the rapid assimilation of patient characteristics, laboratory results, and imaging results. There are a growing number of potential acute therapies with a range of risk, benefit, necessary time windows, and specific eligibility criteria. DATA SOURCES: Primary trials, current guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The hospitalist is well-positioned to play a major role in the treatment of stroke patients as well as the systems work that aids in the management of this population. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:33–40. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate compartmentalization in tracheal smooth muscle.

Abstract Pool sizes of inositol phosphate species in myo -[ 3 H]inositol-labeled porcine tracheal smooth muscle were determined under three conditions: (a) unstimulated; (b) stimulated with carbachol; (c) atropine-relaxed from a carbachol contraction. In unstimulated muscle, the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P 3 ) content was 14 pmol/100 nmol lipid P i . This is equivalent to a mean [Ins(1,4,5)P 3 ] of about 3 μ m (in total cellular water), a level about 30-fold in excess of that required for Ca 2+ release from Ins(1,4,5)P 3 -sensitive sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Pool sizes of breakdown products of Ins(1,4,5)P 3 were relatively small or absent in unstimulated muscle, suggesting that, under this condition, Ins(1,4,5)P 3 was sequestered and had limited access to Ins(1,4,5)P 3 5-phosphatase and/or 3-kinase. During carbachol stimulation, the Ins(1,4,5)P 3 pool did not increase while those of other mono-, di-, and trisphosphate isomers increased over 10-fold. Subsequent atropine-induced relaxation resulted in a partial depletion (40%) of total tissue Ins(1,4,5)P 3 . Decreases in Ins(1,4,5)P 3 were paralleled by decreases in Ins(1,4)P 2 and Ins(1,3,4)P 3 . During contraction a portion of total tissue Ins(1,4,5)P 3 has access to Ins(1,4,5)P 3 3-kinase and 5-phosphatase and to Ins(1,4,5)P 3 -sensitive SR, though during antagonist-induced relaxation access to Ins(1,4,5)P 3 -sensitive SR for Ca 2+ release is restricted. Data are consistent with a mechanism by which a large pool of Ins(1,4,5)P 3 present in the unstimulated state in a sequestered compartment can contribute in activated muscle to increases in [Ins(1,4,5)P 3 ] in a nonsequestered compartment, controlling SR Ca 2+ release.
Intertidal Vegetation and Commercial Yields of Penaeid Shrimp

Abstract A positive relationship is demonstrated for 27 locations between commercial yields of penaeid shrimp per area intertidal vegetation and latitude which can be described by the formula y = 158.7e-0.070(x) where y is kilograms/hectare and x is degrees latitude between 0 ° and 35 °. The latitudinal gradient grossly parallels a gradient of heating-degree-days and is twice the slope of the probable rates of litterfall frown estuarine macrophytes. On a regional basis, the yields inshore are directly related to the area of estuarine vegetation whereas they are not correlated with the area, average depth, or volume of estuarine water. A short example is given to illustrate the utility of this analysis for the selection of alternative land-use decisions.